SENIORS AND VITALITY
Over the past 10 years, the Blue Metropolis Foundation has launched numerous projects and promoted diverse content highlighting the invaluable contribution of seniors. It has done so, for example, by fostering privileged encounters between seniors and teens; by presenting a comedy show called “Simply hilarious!”, featuring performers aged 60 and over; or again by offering content on its website related to mental health and well-being.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Québec’s Ministre responsable des aînés and Ministre déléguée à la santé, Ms. Sonia Bélanger. Her support has made possible the creation of this new page in order to reassert the value of the diverse content it presents. We are also excited about the idea of hosting activities on our social media to mark World Senior Citizens’ Day on October 1, 2024. So join us to share your beloved works of literature, let us know about your book clubs or tell us about your new writing project. Reading and writing keep us young and lively!
In the past decade, voices have begun to speak out, rightly so and with increasing strength, to raise awareness, discuss and protest against certain forms of discrimination and exclusion (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.) that need to be denounced and fought with concrete action.
Ageism should be fought just as vigorously. As the pandemic has shown, our society doesn’t always treat its elders as it should — especially the most vulnerable among them. In so doing, society also deprives itself of an important source of knowledge and wisdom, and neglects to acknowledge the essential contributions of many retirees who have returned to the workforce to aid companies facing labor shortages.
Share your stories, or those of a neighbour, friend or parent who is full of energy and vitality — writing, photos, and comments are all welcome!
On our social media: 
Discover the TED TALK on prejudice against seniors hosted by writer and journalist Carl Honoré.
AGE, TIME, LITERATURE – A NEW OUTLOOK
Time: Let us reconsider the past, the present and the future with a new perspective.
Literature: Everything becomes possible.
Individuals: : There is no longer a third or fourth age, only people who continue to have things to say and to accomplish.
Is this wisdom or stubbornness? Let’s hear them out.
GLORIA STEINEM – A FEMINIST LIFE
INTERVIEW _ 70 minutes
Activist, journalist, and leader in the global feminist movement, Gloria Steinem continues to work to shape a juster world. In an intimate exploration of her past and present engagements, Steinem revisits her place in the struggle for equality and her hand in giving life to its future.
Participant: Gloria Steinem
Host: Chantal Maillé
2022 HUGH MACLENNAN LECTURE – “THE BETRAYAL OF ANNE FRANK AND BEYOND “. THE PROCESS AND WORK OF ROSEMARY SULLIVAN
INTERVIEW _ 60 minutes
The Friends of the McGill Library in partnership with Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival are delighted to welcome Rosemary Sullivan as the 2022 Hugh MacLennan Lecture speaker. She is the author of fifteen books in the multiple genres of biography, memoir, poetry, travelogue, and short fiction, including Shadow Maker: The Life of Gwendolyn MacEwen, which won a Governor General’s Award, The Red Shoes: Margaret Atwood Starting Out, Labyrinth of Desire: Women, Passion, and Romantic Obsession, Villa Air-Bel: World War II, Escape and a House in Marseille, Stalin’s Daughter, which won the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize, the BC National Non-Fiction Award, and the RBC Charles Taylor Prize, as well as the International Plutarch Award in Biography. Her latest book, The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation, has been sold in twenty countries. In 2012, Rosemary Sullivan became an Officer of the Order of Canada for her contributions to Canadian culture.
The MacLennan Lecture is generously supported by Donald Walcot.
Participant: Rosemary Sullivan
Host: Anne Lagacé Dowson
LE BIEN, LE MAL, PREMIERS ROMANS, PLONGÉE DANS L’ABÎME
CONVERSATION _ 75 minutes
Un homme, abîmé par une enfance marquée par la maltraitance, s’interroge sur les pouvoirs du démon. Une étudiante en lettres devient tueuse à gages et se spécialise dans les prédateurs sexuels. Dialogue entre Myriam Vincent (Québec; Furie, éditions Poètes de Brousse) et Dimitri Rouchon-Borie (France; Le démon de la colline aux loups, Le Tripode), primo-romanciers français et québécois qui, en plongeant avec brio dans la complexité humaine, ont séduit les lecteurs des clubs de lecture des Rendez-vous du premier roman.
En partenariat avec les Rendez-vous du Premier Roman et le Festival du Premier roman de Chambéry/Lectures plurielles.
Participants : Myriam Vincent, Dimitri Rouchon-Borie
Animatrice : Marie-Andrée Lamontagne
MÉMOIRE À VIF / RAW MEMORY
PANEL _ 75 minutes
Notre regard sur le passé évolue sans cesse grâce à l’apport de nouvelles connaissances et de visions renouvelées. Ces dernières années, diverses perspectives (post-coloniales, féministes ou autochtones) ont modifié profondément notre lecture de l’histoire. Les romanciers, qui traduisent la vie, les essayistes, qui réfléchissent aux questions qu’elle soulève, se font inévitablement l’écho de ces bouleversements. Quatre écrivains, par ailleurs lauréats des Prix du Gouverneur général 2021 discutent de ce sujet qui fait débat : dans quel état d’esprit revisiter le passé ? quels sont les points aveugles du présent ? En somme comment traduire la vie, toute la vie ?
Participantes : Mishka Lavigne, Fanny Britt, Norma Dunning, Sadiqa de Meijer
Animatrice : Katia Grubisic
Cet événement est organisé en collaboration avec le Conseil des arts du Canada afin de célébrer les finalistes et les gagnants des Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général.
QUEL EST LE POUVOIR DU ROMAN AUJOURD’HUI? DIALOGUE ENTRE NANCY HUSTON ET ALAIN FARAH
CONVERSATION EN DUO _ 90 minutes
Dans un paysage médiatique où l’offre de fiction est immense, quelle est aujourd’hui la place du roman dans notre vision du monde et dans l’imaginaire collectif ? Au-delà de son aptitude à saisir la « vie ordinaire », quelle mémoire ou quels mythes le roman peut-il encore mettre en œuvre ? Ce dialogue cherchera des réponses à la lumière des moyens concrets dont dispose l’écriture romanesque.
À noter que la participation de Nancy Huston sera en visioconférence.
Participants : Nancy Huston, Alain Farah
Animateur : Michel Biron
En partenariat avec l’Académie des lettres du Québec.
L’ITALIE ET SON HISTOIRE : RENCONTRE AVEC LA ROMANCIÈRE FRANCESCA MELANDRI
ENTRETIEN _ 75 minutes
Rencontre avec la romancière italienne Francesca Melandri, dont l’œuvre, en faisant se croiser l’intime et le collectif, interroge la difficile intégration de l’Alto Adige, le passé colonial de l’Italie fasciste et les années de plomb, épisodes violents encore refoulés au sein de l’Italie actuelle.
Participante : Francesca Melandri
Animateur : Dominique Garand
Avec le soutien de l’Institut culturel italien de Montréal
Pen, Age, Balance – Wellness through words
“Happiness excludes age,” said Kafka. He is completely right. Laughter, social interaction and curiosity are essential ingredients for a fulfilling old age. This section offers a range of activities designed to revitalize the mind through reading and writing. On the program: a book club, as well as writing workshops focused on Alzheimer’s prevention. Find out more.
Power-up ton potentiel
“Power up ton potentiel” is a unique, inclusive intergenerational project, the aim of which is to promote community engagement among young people, encourage bilingualism and academic perseverance, and decrease feelings of isolation among the elderly through learning new technologies. What started as a simple intergenerational intercultural project soon became a real learning experience and exchange of information during which a number of lasting relationships were formed.
The Longevity Library
This multimedia tool will help you age well, like a good wine. In fact, aging is not always synonymous with decline… With the aim of spreading the word about the positive effects of humour as we age, Blue Metropolis is now offering an online library that includes novels, films and videos, by anglophone Quebecers and others. Through humour, these books and films tackle topics such as the loss of autonomy, living far from one’s children, illness, and more.
Education, Creativity, Connection – Redefining Together
We believe that there is no age limit on fulfillment. Our educational and social programs provide a vibrant space to explore, learn and connect. Discover our initiatives that combine creativity and personal reflection to enrich the mind and open new perspectives. Explore projects that integrate past and future to better understand and shape our world. Take advantage of our digital library and enjoy stand-up comedy shows highlighting the talents and and humour of the generations. Our initiatives are designed to enrich the experiences of each person, fostering an active and engaged life at any age.
Looking Back for a Better Future
Looking Back for a Better Future is an innovative and dynamic project made possible with the support of Canadian Heritage that promotes the transmission of intercultural knowledge in Quebec’s English-speaking communities, while combating early school leaving and language prejudice. Under the direction of the award-winning author and journalist Monique Polak, the published author and poet Tara McGowan-Ross and documentary filmmaker Alaric Boyle-Poirier, teenagers from five English-speaking communities in Quebec, including one indigenous community, were paired with elders from their own community to foster intergenerational dialogue. The exchanges focussed on resilience and the transmission of cultural knowledge.
This experience enables young people not only to forge meaningful links with elders, but also to learn and express their creativity by recording their experiences in a journal
THE SECRET IS IN THE SAUCE
Author, blogger, broadcaster and journalist Monique Polak traveled across Québec with professional photographer Monique Dykstra to meet twenty English-speaking seniors to collect recipes from them which highlight the culinary traditions and festivities of Quebec’s English-speaking immigrant and Indigenous communities. Through these recipes, these elders tell their stories and also the story of how, in diverse cultures, knowledge and heritage are passed down. The twenty-one recipes collected were printed in the form of a high-quality cookbook, distributed free of charge and launched in various cultural communities in Montreal.
Simply Hilarious
This multi-faceted project aims to raise awareness among Quebec’s English-speaking seniors about the positive impact of humour on the overall well-being of individuals. Originally taking the form of free writing and storytelling workshops during the 2019 Blue Metropolis Festival, the project has evolved into a stand-up comedy-style show, featuring the four finalists who distinguished themselves through their talents during the workshops.
Spreading the Word
The project was developed with the intention of bringing Quebec’s English-speaking seniors together through the pleasure of reading and to provide them the tools to organize their own book clubs and readings. This dynamic and user-friendly portal will provide the essential information and tools to help organize a traditional or virtual book club. You will find interviews, audio excerpts of selected works, video clips, suggested readings, writing tips and more on this page.
Litterature, Discovery, Escape– Rediscovering at any age
More than just a hobby, reading does good at any age. Without any apparent effort, reading stimulates the neurons. It helps with vocabulary acquisition and to develop a better control of language, stimulates memory, nourishes the imagination and emotions, and promotes relaxation. The advantage of retirement is that our time is now our own: we can dive into a good book without worrying about all the to-dos that fill the days of young adults.
Writing is opens the door to new worlds and enriching perspectives. We offer a carefully chosen selection of books to stimulate the mind and nourish curiosity, all while having a good time. Explore captivating narratives that blend history, emotion and reflection — offering each reader the chance to discover the pleasure of reading. Whether it be through timeless classics or contemporary works, our suggestions aim to foster enriching literary experiences for all ages. Dive into these inspiring readings and let yourself be carried away by stories that awaken the imagination, encourage deep reflection, and make us laugh so hard we cry.
FEEL-GOOD STORIES (IN FRENCH)
La liste de mes envies, Grégoire Delacourt, Albin Michel, 2024
Le goût de l’élégance, Johanne Seymour, Libre Expression, 2020
Le charme des après-midi sans fin, Dany Laferrière, Boreal, 2010
La vieille qui marchait dans la mer, Frédéric Dard (alias San Antonio), Pocket, 1998
Le vieux qui lisait des romans d’amour, Luis Sepulveda, Seuil/Points, 1995
La vie devant soi, Romain Gary (alias Emile Ajar), Folio, 1982
BOOKS OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP (IN FRENCH)
La jeune fille à la tresse, Françoise de Luca, Marchand de feuilles, 2022
Il pleuvait des oiseaux, Jocelyne Saucier, XYZ, 2022
Le jardin d’Amsterdam, Linda Amyot, Lemeac, 2013
La petite et le vieux, Marie-René Lavoie, Bibliothèque québécoise, 2012
Le cercle littéraire des amateurs d’épluchures de patates, Mary Ann Shaffer et Annie Barrows, 10/18, 2011
STORIES THAT MAKE US LAUGH (IN FRENCH)
Ce que la vie doit au rire, Boucar Diouf, éditions La Presse, 2023
Mamie Luger (centenaire, féministe… et serial killeuse), Benoît Philippon, Poche, 2021
Défense de nourrir les vieux, Adam Biles, Points, 2019
Le gang des dentiers braque la banque, Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg, Pocket, 2016
Le vieux qui ne voulait pas fêter son anniversaire, Jonas Jonasson, Pocket, 2012
BOOKS BASED ON HISTORICAL CHARACTERS (IN FRENCH)
Immersion, Emiliano Poddi, Albin Michel, 2023
La brodeuse de Winchester, Tracy Chevalier, Gallimard, 2021
La goûteuse d’Hitler, Rosella Postorino, Albin Michel, 2019
BIOGRAPHIES AND AUTOBIOGRAPHIES (IN FRENCH)
Conversations avec un enfant curieux, Michel Tremblay, Lemeac, 2022
Kukum, Michel Jean, Libre Expression, 2019
Habiller le cœur, Michèle Plomer, Marchand de feuilles, 2019
Souvenirs de la marée basse, Chantal Thomas, Seuil, 2017
BOOKS THAT MAKE US THINK (IN FRENCH)
La voyageuse de nuit, Laure Adler, Poche, 2021
Vieillir avec panache, Jocelyne Robert, De l’homme, 2021
Le banc du temps qui passe, Hubert Reeves, Points, 2020
Bolder, Carl Honoré, Knopf Canada, 2020
Les forces de l’âge, Michel Coulombe, Saint-Jean, 2014
BOOKS FOR AN AFTERNOON WITH THE GRANDCHILDREN (IN FRENCH)
Une histoire dans une bouteille, Dominique Fortier, De la Bagnole, 2023
La vérité sur les grands-parents, Elina Ellis, Kaleidoscope, 2019
La belle histoire d’une vieille chose, Louis Émond, De la Bagnole, 2016
Les étonnantes vacances de Margot, Jannick Lachapelle, De la Bagnole, 2016
Mon papi, David Bouchard, Les 400 coups, 2009
Les dimanches de Julie, Sylvain Trudel, La courte échelle, 2003
