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Festival

Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois/The Rendez-Vous of Quebec Cinema

Festival to acknowledge the creative productions of the Quebec film industry. Aimed at promoting Quebec film culture, supporting the film makers, and acting as a brdige between the silverscreen and the demands of the public. The highlight is the screening of various documentaries, short fiction-based films, animated and music videos, and just about any kind of film that the industry has produced.

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Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois/The Rendez-Vous of Quebec Cinema

Festival to acknowledge the creative productions of the Quebec film industry. Aimed at promoting Quebec film culture, supporting the film makers, and acting as a brdige between the silverscreen and the demands of the public. The highlight is the screening of various documentaries, short fiction-based films, animated and music videos, and just about any kind of film that the industry has produced.

The 26th such festival was held from 14-28 February in 2008. The 29th session will be held from 18-28 February 2009. The tickets are relatively expensive, but it is one film festival that presents an insight into the culture of Montreal in one entertaining mega event spanning quite a few romantic nights.

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Festival du nouveau cinémamontreal

Festival du nouveau cinéma

Festival / event

A revolutionary film festival, aimed at promoting new film makers, filming ideas and techniques, and filming styles and trends. Screenings of various films from around the world. Some produced by eminent names in the film industry, but most are works of newcomers.

Festival du Monde Arabemontreal

Festival du Monde Arabe

Festival / event

Musical festival to celebrate the culture of the Arab world through the performing arts. Traditional and modern Arab performances are part of this festival.

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Salon de l'Auto/International Motor Show

Activity

Annual car show held at the Palais des congrès de Montréal in late January. Car manufacturers from around the globe display their best products. Vehicles are displayed by the hundreds (650 vehicles in 2008) in a large exhibition gallery. Renown brands such as General Motors, Nissan, BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen come out and display their extreme creativity in models of cars that range from classy and retro to eco-friendly and futuristic in design. Not to be missed if you're in Montreal during the season and are into glossy colors, metallic shines, and fantasizing about being the protagonist in car racing games and movies.

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Festival Montréal en Lumière/Montreal High Lights Festival

Activity

An exciting annual festival, relatively new for a city which derives its festivals from centuries old traditions. The purpose - to celebrate light! Quite original, and more than just an "enlightening" affair. Consists of more than a week of celebrations ranging from food and wine stalls to musical concerts and film shows. This festival can be called the one event that brings all of Montreal together - all classes, all nations, all religions - as most of its activities are free.

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Festival Voix des Amériques/Vf

Activity

A festival celebrating written arts, literature, poetry, and satire. Performances range from poetry recitals to comedy acts to literary stage shows. The evenning (5 to 7) shows are usually free for all, but it is the late night sittings (11pm onwards) that really mesmerize the audience. Tickets are quite reasonable, at $12 - $15. The show starts with renowned performers, and then switches on to newly discovered talented artists. They keep the guests enteratined with mesmerizing recitals and narratives, as well as original compositions. Some of the events also feature small press publishers, who help emerging writers to get their work published. The event may become a drag for the youthful, partying soul, but it is surely not to be missed if you are into literature and poetry.

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Festival international du film sur l'art (FIFA)/International Film Festival on Art

Activity

A film festival that screens films and documentaries on the various aspects of art and architecture from around the globe - its history, development through the ages, and its implementation and interpretation in different cultures. It aims to promote awareness and appreciation in the public about the importance of art, and the impact of art on the development of a society along with screenings of informative films which cover the life of artists, their work, impressive artistic achievements, masterpieces of photography and painting, and fascinating feats of architecture from around 30 countries. In 2007 the festival celebrated its 25th anniversary, screenig more than 200 films in eight theatres around Montreal, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Canadian Centre for Architecture, the Goethe-Institut, the Cinémathèque québécoise and the Cinquième Salle of Place des Arts.

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Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Activity

Saint Patrick is widely revered as one of the patron saints of Ireland, and the republic of Ireland and Irish colonies and communities worldwide obvserve St Patrick' Day in honour of the respected saint. The day is celebrated by Irish and non-Irish, Christians and non-Christians alike in Montreal, and is marked with feasts and festive merrymaking. Irish food and drinks are consumed publicly, and people dress up in green and put up green flags and banners. Although not a public holiday, it is still one of the major events that draws crowds from all areas of the city. The highlight of the event is a Parade that has been held continually each year in the city since 1824, and is the largest of its kind in the whole of North America. It is held around March 17 every year.

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La Braderie de mode québécoise

Activity

This is a fashion mega event held twice annually since it began in 1994 and attracted only 50 customers. The present attendance is over 8000 in each session. The primary aim is to introduce the creations of prominent as well as emerging fashion designers to the public, and to enable them to buy designer clothing at relatively lower prices. As most of the brands are female-oriented, the customers are usually businesswomen and professional women, as well as female students and tourists. With the recent introcution of male fashion brands, the event now also attracts a large number of men.The event allows fashion designers to come into contact with the elite public and the public to acquire designer labels at considerably lower costs than designer outlets.

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Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival

Activity

A multilingual literary festival held in Montreal, claiming to be the first of its kind in the world. Gathers more than 250 writers, poets, journalists, musicians and actors from around the world to present their art in the language they feel comfotable in. Languages commonly heard are Spanish and Portuguese apart from the popular French and English. Many of its performances are free to attend. A treat for lovers of international literature.

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Montreal Chamber Music Festival

Activity

Inaugrated in 1995 with the purpose of promoting chamber music and its various forms. Performances are held in historic and cultural sites around the city to reflect the mood of the events. Tickets are relatively expensive, with a normal adult ticket at $36 for the floor and $24 for the balcony.

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What to do with Children in Tow

Activity

Montreal promises quality time to both adults and kids. The ongoing year-round festivals are usually family-oriented, and so are most public places around the city.

altmontreal

Olympic Stadium

Stadium

A white elephant is burdensome possession which cannot be disposed of, and whose upkeep far outweighs its usefulness. Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is a perfect example of a white elephant. Construction began in 1973, and was not completed until 1987. It was barely opened in time for the Olympics, but the tower and retractable roof (which has never actually retracted) remained unfinished.

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Montreal Biodome

zoo

The Montreal Biodome was originally built as a velodrome for the 1976 Summer Olympics. Along with its neighbor, the Olympic Stadium, the Biodome is a striking example of modern architecture. After the Olympics, the question arose of what to do with the now abandoned building. In 1988 renovations began and it opened to the public in 1992.

Chateau Ramezay Museummontreal

Chateau Ramezay Museum

Museum

The Château Ramezay Museum is contained in a historic chateau in Old Montreal. The building was built in 1705 and served as the residence of the governor of Montreal (Claude de Ramezay). During the American Revolutionary War, it briefly served as the Canadian headquarters of the Continental Army during the invasion of Canada. Afterwards it once again became the governor’s residence. In 1894 it was converted into a museum and portrait gallery. The collection has expanded since then, and now consists of more than 30,000 objects.

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Montreal Science Centre

Building

At the nexus of science, technology, and entertainment, the Montreal Science Center is a great destination for families. There are seven permanent exhibitions and several temporary exhibitions. Science 26 offers 26 hands-on stations showcasing everyday science, one for each letter of the alphabet. Mission Gaia is all about sustainable development and the environment. Cargo provides an in-depth look into the goings on at a container port. There’s also an IMAX theater. The high-wire unicycle is a thrilling, but completely safe, ride fun for both older kids and adults.

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Bonsecours Market

Market

The Bonsecours Market is located in one of Montreal’s most spectacular heritage buildings. The beautiful two-story neo-classical building features a large dome and briefly was home to Canada’s Parliament. Completed in 1847, it was home to Montreal’s main shopping center for more than a century. In 1963, it was briefly slated for destruction, but luckily the order was rescinded and instead the building was renovated to suit modern tastes.

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Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site

Sight

This historic site is located in two in two early 19th century Victorian villas of the Cartier family. They have been renovated and now serve as a cultural and educational center. Known as the ‘Father of the Confederation’, George Cartier played an instrumental role in the independence of Canada. He helped bring Quebec into the confederation, and later served as one of the country’s first Prime Minster.

Pointe à Callièremontreal

Pointe à Callière

Museum

The Pointe-à-Callière, or the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History traces the history of Montreal. It opened on May 17, 1992, the 350th anniversary of Montreal’s founding, near the site of the original fur trading settlement. The museum is housed in six different buildings. The main building is the Éperon, an iconic modern building built atop and old crypt. The Ancienne-Douane building was Montreal’s first Customs House. The Youville Pumping Station, built in 1915, was the city’s first electric wastewater pumping station. Archaeological excavations are constantly underway on site.

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Place Jacques-Cartier

Plaza

Named for the French explorer, this open plaza covers several blocks near the old port. It is a common gathering point in the city all year round. During the peak tourist season (summers), street performers flock to the Place Jacques-Cartier, and vendors and food kiosks line the streets. The terraces of the traditional Parisian style restaurants all around the plaza bulge with tourists eagerly awaiting their turn to try out the scrumptious French delicacies. During winter season the Place is covered with a beautiful blanket of snow which creates a romantic ambience.

Vieux Port - Montrealmontreal

Vieux Port

Port

Vieux Port, also known as the Quays of the Old Port of Montreal, is Montreal’s old port repurposed as an upscale waterfront promenade. The concept is certainly not unique to Montreal, but here it is executed particularly well. The old port dates back to the original trading post built in 1611. In the mid-twentieth century, it began to fall into disrepair as operations moved further east to the new Port of Montreal. In the 1990s it was redeveloped, and today attracts more than seven million visitors per year.

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Le Taj (Indian)

Location: 2077 rue Stanley (south corner of Sherbrooke), Montreal.