The cancellation of the Fête des Neiges in Montreal is a sad news this week. It is not for me here to try union demands, as all the requirements of the city of Montreal. I would rather raise only so far in January 1883, various parties involved agree to submit a first Winter Carnival in Montreal.

The targets set by the promoters of the first week of winter festivities are recreational, tourist and economic. A subscription service is being launched with the aim to raise more than $ 5000 required for the organisation of the event.


Sports activities that take place when an international meeting are curling, races and walks on snowshoes. A farce about skating, sledding, games and a grand ball add festive air to this week is unique in America.

But a special stimulates the imagination and attractive to all: the simulated attack the palace of ice. Developed by Montreal architect A.C. Hutchison, the construction of palaces, the Dominion Square, takes place at a cost of $ 2560. In the evening, during the simulated attack, the palace is guarded by a garrison trained militiamen and firefighters.

Then, from the mountains, hundreds of snowshoers gather around the palace. The garrison has quickly moved to barricade and close the doors to protect the palace. At the signal, snowshoers storming. They are equipped with flares and fireworks. The crowd, estimated at more than 50000 people, is a veritable fireworks, as the garrison response in the same way. It goes without saying that snowshoers come to the end of their sentences. Finally, as a sign of capitulation, the guard opens the door to the castle. After the conquest, snowshoers and congregate in the light of torches are returning to their neighbourhoods.

This event takes place a long time ago. Some 125 years later, the cancellation of winter festivities in Montreal us on the meaning of values promulgated in our modern society.

Do you feel challenged for these changes in values?

In reference: Dufresne, Sylvie. Festivities and society: the Winter Carnival in Montreal (1883-1889). Montreal: business, people, neighborhoods, Historical Society of Montreal, Fides, 1984, 290 pages.

Illustration: W. Notman & Son, The Ice Palace, Carnival Montreal 1885.
Source: www.tonpeek.com / acquisitions.html

Published by Paul Foisy at Thursday, January 17, 2008 0 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
On patinoirs Montreal in 1900 (Part Two)
In the early twentieth century, as in the last quarter of the nineteenth, masquerades are a few of the most popular entertainment. According to the dictionary Le Petit Robert (1977), the masquerade is an entertainment in which participants are dressed and masked. These disguises or accoutrements may be bizarre and ridiculous or as a metaphor, a farce is a series of actions or events hypocritical. Under this entertainment, participants had an opportunity to dress up and make fun of everyone.

During the winter of 1899-1900, the first two masquerades take place on January 9 to patinoirs Crystal and Prince Arthur. At Crystal, located at the corner of Guy and Dorchester, much is expected of the world, because there are more than 600 subscribers to this patinoir.

A few days later it was announced for the next 17, the first major travesty of the season at Montagnard. Here's what that says the editor of La Patrie the eve of the event: "It's tomorrow night, the big masquerade that will gather in large patinoir" Montagnard "our French-Canadian society. […] The decoration of the interior of the pavilion will be especially careful, the number of musicians from the band will be increased to 25; numbers of the programme will be picked; here for the part of the administration. As for subscribers, we have the insurance to see a host of new costumes, original and varied, designed after months of reflection or inspired by current events such as the war in the Transvaal, the festivals of Dewey, . etc. "(1)

On January 23, a Wednesday evening, taking place at two other masquerades patinoirs Prince Arthur and Crystal. In the latter area, it gives prizes to two participants with the most beautiful costumes and another to those who will be disguised in the most original.

During the winter, the organizers of masquerades adopt a few times a theme. For example, on January 25, a masquerade is held at the military patinoir St. Louis, located at the corner of Mount Royal and Clark. This event is held under the patronage of Count commander of the Ville-Marie Grade Independent. Several members of the Guard participate in the event where the military costume is a necessity.

The day after this masquerade military administrators Montagnard offer tickets at mid-season fares to accommodate new subscribers. Prices are as follows: Gentlemen, $ 2.50; ladies and ladies, $ 1.50, children $ 1.00. A brass band was on the scene three nights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. "Fun well Montagnard. […] The rooms are clean, well-heated, well lit. There is a restaurant where you can warm up or cool off, as appropriate. There are the best and most joyful society. In short, it is the institution par excellence of its kind for french-Canadians in Montreal. "(2)