What's New

News Release

What's New

Library and Archives Canada Opens the Exhibition Literary Landscapes of French Canada

Ottawa, April 24, 2007 - On the occasion of World Book Day, Library and Archives Canada is pleased to announce the opening of the new exhibition Literary Landscapes of French Canada. This must-see exhibition highlights a selection of Francophone authors from all over Canada-namely from New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, western Canada and the Northwest Territories. It presents a dynamic and current look at French literature in Canada.

"On World Book Day, what better way to celebrate our literary heritage than to share with all Canadians this extraordinary exhibition," said Ian E. Wilson, Librarian and Archivist of Canada. "The exhibition demonstrates how the works of these authors remain vibrant and how our Francophone literature has never been as well received as it is today, in Canada and abroad. It is with great pride that we bring to the fore these literary archives."

Among the archival documents of 33 authors, novelists, poets and playwrights, are the handwritten notes of Gérald leBlanc from l", Michel Ouellette from Ontario and Simone Chaput from Manitoba. The exhibition also presents treasures such as the typescript of the screenplay of the film Les bons débarras by Réjean Ducharme, the typewriter belonging to Roger Lemelin, a roll of Gold Star stamps used in the play Les belles-soeurs by Michel Tremblay, a watercolour sketch by Marie-Claire Blais and annotations by Gabrielle Roy.

These writers were inspired by actual places and through their works, they have transformed the real landscape into symbolic and even mythical space. The archival documents-manuscripts, annotated typescripts, personal diaries and photographs-reveal the world of these authors.

Literary Landscapes of French Canada will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until October 28, 2007, in Exhibition Room D, at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa. Admission is free.

- 30 -

Information:
Pauline M. Portelance
Senior Media Relations Officer
Library and Archives Canada
613-996-6128 or (613) 293-4298

For historical information visit: Archived What's New