MONTREAL/June 14, 2010—
Left to right: David Jhave Johnston, web artist; Ollivier Dyens, artist and vice-rector, teaching, Concordia University; Judith Woodsworth, rector and vice-chancellor, Concordia University; Guy Berthiaume, president and general manager, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ), Max and Julian Stein, creators of the Montreal Sound Map.
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) and Concordia University today finalized a partnership agreement that provides the official framework for future collaborative projects to be created by the two institutions. The agreement was signed at the Grande Bibliothèque by Dr. Guy Berthiaume, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of BAnQ, and Dr. Judith Woodsworth, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia University.
In the words of Dr. Berthiaume, “Open-minded, innovative and bold, Concordia University is a role model in terms of the democratization of knowledge and culture. BAnQ believes that partnering with a university that shares our values to such a great extent gives concrete expression to our will to become a pillar of the knowledge society.”
“This partnership demonstrates Concordia University’s commitment to the wider community”, says Dr. Woodsworth, President and Vice-Chancellor of Concordia. “We are delighted to share our research findings in collaboration with the Bibliothèque et Archives Nationales. This initiative allows us to extend learning, creativity and innovation to a new space, allowing more Montrealers to discover their extraordinary city, through the eyes of Concordia.”
This agreement will lead to other initiatives, including carrying out and disseminating research, setting up projects related to library and information science and archives and jointly organizing activities such as colloquia, exhibitions, guided tours and lectures. In particular, a number of events will take place as a part of Concordia University’s President’s Conference Series. This annual event is open to the public and gives well-known researchers an opportunity to comment on current issues.
Montréal is the world: The city through the eyes of Concordia
The first public activity of the agreement will be the presentation of the series, Montréal is the world: The city through the eyes of Concordia, a programme of lectures, performances and discussions given by the university’s researchers on some of the more surprising facets of the unique city that is Montréal.
Why this theme? Because, like Concordia, Montréal, too, is a nucleus of languages and cultures, both equally rich with cross-fertilization and learning. Concordia University takes a novel look at a city that is at the crossroads of the New and the Old World, giving the viewer an opportunity to see and understand the entire socio-economic spectrum, the mix of cultures and the emerging trends that make up Montréal in the opening decades of the 20th century.
Part one of the series: Montréal : sur le fleuve des langues
The first part of the series, Montréal is the world: the city through the eyes of Concordia is divided into two sections.
In the first section, we will consider Montréal’s fertile linguistic character, its polyglot and hybrid culture, woven of ideas, tensions and the richness of languages and learning that come together in the city. Sherry Simon, tenured professor in the Department of French Studies, author of a number of books, including Translating Montreal (Traverser Montréal), and recipient of the Mavis Gallant Prize and the Gabrielle Roy Prize in 2006, will give a lecture entitled Le flot des langues, la grâce des cultures at the Grande Bibliothèque on October 27, 2010.
The second section will be given over to the presentation of a series of multimedia installations inspired by poetry in the hall of the Grande Bibliothèque, from October 27 to December 1, followed by a poetic performance, Une pluie de mots, de langues, de silences. This performance will be given in a number of languages by writers and artists from Concordia, in the Auditorium of the Grande Bibliothèque, on December 1.
In addition, two activities are planned as a part of L’Université autrement : dans les cafés, (University of the Streets Café) a series of public dialogues, in which people from all walks of life are invited to meet to discuss subjects of current interest. These events will take place in the Café des lettres in the Grande Bibliothèque on November 3 and 25.
About Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
As the largest cultural institution in Québec and an essential pillar of the knowledge society, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) has the mission of offering democratic access to culture and knowledge. BAnQ collects, preserves, and disseminates Québec and Québec-related published and archival heritage. It also provides the services of a major public library. BAnQ encompasses the Grande Bibliothèque, a preservation centre (Centre de conservation) and nine archives centres in Montréal, Québec City, Gatineau, Rimouski, Rouyn-Noranda, Saguenay, Sept-Îles, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières.
About Concordia University
Concordia University has close to 44 000 students, with a broad age range and diverse backgrounds. Dedicated to academic excellence, a stimulating student experience and community involvement, Concordia prepares its graduates to live as informed, forward-thinking and engaged citizens committed to the spirit of enquiry. The university offers more than 300 undergraduate and 200 graduate programs, diplomas and certificates through four Faculties, a School of Graduate Studies and a School of Extended Learning. Concordia’s research profile is growing and promotes cross-discipline approaches to some of the most pressing environmental, economic, technological, social and creative challenges that society faces today.
Contact:
Claire-Hélène Lengellé
Media Relations Officer
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
514 873-1101, ext. 3199
ch.lengelle@banq.qc.ca
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Source:
Fiona Downey
Media Relations Advisor
Concordia University
Phone: 514-848-2424, ext. 2518
Cell: 514-518-3336
Fax: 514-848-3383
Email: fdowney@alcor.concordia.ca
