This July Quebec City, Canada will celebrate its 400th birthday. Birthday celebrations have already begun with a fabulous fireworks display that was held New Years Eve at Place d’Yourville and will continue all year. From the family oriented winter Carnival de Quebec which runs from February 1st to 17th to the Cirque du Soleil dazzling closing event to be held on October 19th, there is no doubt that 2008 will prove to be a year of amazing celebrations for one of Canada’s oldest cities.
In 1608 French explorer Samuel Champlain sailed up the St. Lawrence River to a spot the Algonquin called kebec (“where the river narrows”). Here Champlain was to build a fur trade post and a settlement that would become the capital for New France. But Champlain wasn’t the first European explorer to visit kebec, Jacques Cartier build a fort on the same site in 1541. Unfortunately, that fort was abandoned after only two years. Champlain’s settlement is still there.
Although Montreal holds the title of the “Paris of the North”, Quebec City is the heart of French Canada. What began as a fur trading post has become not only a sophisticated 21st century city but it is also a UNESCO world heritage site, one of the several located in Canada.
The old walled city of Quebec is a mixture of historic buildings, trendy shops and restaurants and a center of French-Canadian culture. During the year it will be home to many festivals and special events celebrating the cities founding.
The real birthday festivities will take place from July 3rd to 6th when the city will celebrate the arrival of Champlain with a military parade, an opening show, the Festival d’ete de Quebec, the lighting of a fire sculpture and a torch-led parade that will end the evening. Anniversary events will continue throughout the summer.
The Plains of Abraham, now a national park, is the site of the 1759 battle between the French and English for control of what would become Canada. Although the English supposedly won the battle, the French were able to maintain their language and culture under English rule. A visit to this historic site is a must for military history buffs. Attend the “Plains of Abraham Epic” from August 13 – 17 and see recreation of the sites colorful history. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-of-quebec.htm
http://www.ccbn-nbc.gc.ca/_en/fresque.PHP?section=2
And if the history isn’t enough, watch for Quebec’s own Celine Dion, along with several other artists, to perform on the Plains of Abraham on August 22nd. Details of this performance will be available in April, 2008.
A visit to Quebec City in 2008 will be an exciting fun filled trip that you won’t want to miss. Come and enjoy the historic city, the wonderful restaurants and some of the many anniversary celebrations.
For more detailed information on the Birthday celebrations:
http://www.gg.ca/citadelle/400_e.ASP
http://monquebec2008.sympatico.msn.ca/MonQuebec2008/?lang=en-ca
http://www.telegraphe.com/events/2008/0506en.HTML
http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/dn-nd-eng.cfm
http://www.tourisme.gouv.qc.ca/qc-en/quebec_400ieme0.HTML
http://www.quebecregion.com/campagne_publicitaire/hiver_2007-2008/400/programmation-ete-e.htm
