Encapsulating one’s thoughts and emotions into words can be as rewarding as it is daunting. Such rewards are monetary in the case of the bi-annual Montreal International Poetry Prize, a competition for poems of 40 lines or less, where the winning poet receives $20,000 and, along with 54 finalists, gets[Read More…]
Tag: montreal
A ticking clock
Watching my parents get older is a sombre pastime. It’s hard getting acquainted with a greyer, achier, more weathered version of them each year. Both my parents and I have become unconsenting spectators, watching their list of health concerns grow longer and bodies get more tired. Time seems to move[Read More…]
‘When We Lost Our Heads’ explores feminine obsession in 19th-century Montreal
“For there is no friend like a sister In calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, To fetch one if one goes astray, To lift one if one totters down, To strengthen whilst one stands.” Two little girls are tempted by sinister goblins in Christina Rossetti’s[Read More…]
Decriminalization would place sex work in the foreground, not the underground
On International Sex Worker Rights Day, March 3, Montreal sex workers and advocates organized to call for the decriminalization of sex work in Canada. While the current law governing sex work—the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, implemented in 2014—has received praise, it ultimately fails to adequately protect sex[Read More…]
Stitching together Montreal’s handmade clothing scene
Since the beginning of the COVD-19 pandemic, the rise of knitting and crocheting has quickly propelled handcrafted clothing to the status of a fashion staple. This ethical alternative to fast fashion allows consumers to express themselves through unique fashion choices while helping to keep garments out of the landfill. McGillians[Read More…]
CBC’s new series ‘The Porter’ tells stories of Black resilience in 1920s Montreal
Far from the rosy multicultural haven one may have been taught about in their high school history class, Canada has a sordid legacy of anti-Black racism and discrimination. CBC’s new show, The Porter, released on Feb. 21, explores the little-known history of Black Canadians in Montreal through the lens of[Read More…]
Putting nature in the foreground
The one constant for me throughout this turbulent pandemic has been seeking refuge in the outdoors. During the headlines, elections, and political battles that constantly preoccupied everyone’s minds, nature became a source of comfort and solace. It was in April 2020 when the virus initially surged in New England, right[Read More…]
To strip or not to strip: The power of political nudity
Content warning: Mentions of sexual violence Activism is an artform. Inspiring and resonating with enough people to make a difference often demands human connection through loud and creative means. Like spoken or written words, nudity carries endless potential for representing a cause, both within and beyond the feminist domain with[Read More…]
The cancellation of the Dawson expansion cuts deeper divides
On Jan. 28, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government announced its decision to pull the $100-million grant dedicated to funding the expansion of Dawson College. Under the leadership of former Premier Philippe Couillard, the Quebec Liberal Party initially approved the project in 2018 to address the college’s overcrowded campus. Plans[Read More…]
‘The Music Game’ explores the challenges and joys of adulthood
Transitioning into adulthood is never an easy feat; it comes with the anxiety of an uncertain future in a world of independence and responsibility that is still unfamiliar. The English translation of Stéfanie Clermont’s debut novel The Music Game, released on Feb. 8, perfectly captures the dread of being stuck[Read More…]
