The one thing that unites Canadians from all provinces and backgrounds, hockey is a cultural institution, a shared language and a source of both pride and heartbreak. In Québec, hockey takes on an even deeper significance. While the Montreal Canadiens have long been the face of professional hockey in the province, the departure of the Québec Nordiques in 1995 left a lasting void – one that some hope may soon be filled in an unexpected way…

Building on the spirit of the Quiet Revolution, Québec’s theatre has evolved into an artform that confronts, critiques and celebrates the unique cultural forces of the province. Québécois theatre’s foundational period was steeped in religious themes, shaped by the Catholic Church’s influence over cultural life. Yet, as the mid-20th century approached, the emergence of secular plays reflected a society in transition. Pioneering playwrights like Gratien Gélinas and Marcel Dubé captured the tensions between modernity and tradition, challenging the Church’s hegemony and exploring the limitations of working-class life.

In the 1960s, literature became a powerful tool for expressing the hopes and struggles of a society trying to define itself in a new way. Simultaneously, Quebecers began to ask bigger questions about their identity and place within Canada. French language and culture became key to forming a new, distinct Québécois identity that rejected traditional, European influences.