Working-class histories, urban vices and ethical fashion in Montreal

Montreal is a city with a rich heritage. But how much do you know about the social, geographic, economic and cultural issues that have shaped its contemporary culture?

From June 3 to 8, heritage studies experts will lead a wide range of public events at the third Association of Critical Heritage Studies (ACHS) Biennial Conference hosted by Concordia, the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling (COHDS) and the Canada Research Chair on Urban Heritage at Université du Québec à Montréal.

These exciting and free events range from walking tours of some of Montreal’s most vibrant neighbourhoods to films and discussion panels on how heritage is being defined around the world.

Here is a taste of what’s in store:
 

Walking Tours

In Griffintown/Dans le Griff | Scandal! Vice, crime and morality in Montreal, 1940-1960 | Tuesday, June 7, from 7 to 9 a.m. | Concordia, Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV) – Atrium – Meet inside the building

The Centre d’histoire de Montréal presents two bilingual walking tours.

Dans le Griff takes visitors into the neighbourhood of Griffintown, as depicted through the lives and memories of the Mercier family.

Scandal! Vice, crime and morality in Montreal, 1940-1960 presents Montreal as a port city and a transportation, business and immigration hub with the reputation of being a sinful destination.

Registration required.

Critical Creation Series

Ethical Fashion | Monday, June 6, and Tuesday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Concordia, Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV) – Atrium

Check out the ethical fashion collection designed by six LaSalle College students under the artistic direction of Concordia’s Milan Tanedjikov.

The clothes are made by hand with environmentally friendly material and workers are paid fair wages.

The students were motivated by the desire to move away from unethical clothing manufacturing practices and to design a collection that re-envisions Montreal’s material culture and fashion legacy.
 

In-community Session

Roundtable on Concordia’s ‘Right to the City’ Initiative | Monday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. | Salon Laurette, 1950 Centre Street

A collaborative and image-rich conversational presentation, “Teaching/Learning/Living Post-Industrial Ecologies” outlines the potentials and problematics of “The Right to the City,” a multi-year transdisciplinary curriculum initiative that brings graduate and undergraduate students from Concordia to Montreal’s historic southwest borough.

Four professors ask, “What does it change for the university to teach/learn on-site with the residents and the cultural and natural heritages of the Pointe-St-Charles neighbourhood?”

This question will be explored from diverse perspectives in a roundtable, featuring community members and academics.

Film

Mill Stories | Monday, June 6, 7 to 9 p.m. | Concordia, J.W. McConnell (LB) Building – J.A. DeSève Cinema, LB-125

Directed by William Shewbridge and Michelle Stefano, USA; 35 mins

Mill Stories examines the importance of the Sparrows Point Steel Mill in Baltimore, Maryland, from the perspectives of former workers and community members while connecting their story to the larger narrative of industrial boom and bust.

Combining video interviews and archival images, the film tells the story in workers’ own words, sharing their sacrifices, struggles, senses of community and identity.

Mill Stories has been screened at over 20 international film festivals, academic conferences and local community events, as well as recently being honoured as a Bronze Winner by the 37th Annual Telly Awards.

View the trailer.

Find out about other Concordia-led public events at the Critical Heritage Studies Biennial Conference and other Concordia-led public events. 

A complete guide of public events at the conference is also available.