LAUNCH Montréal SOKAFEST 2023 – New Montreal Soccer Festival

Montréal – Sport as a universal language, music and dance as cultural bridges. This is the spirit driving the first edition of the event “Au Café”, an initiative imagined by Jean-Baptiste and supported by the general director of L’Improvisé, who sees in this project a powerful tool for bringing people together.

Next Saturday, at Lorient McDonald School Park in the Saint-Laurent borough, the Rwandan and Haitian communities of Montreal will gather for a friendly soccer match. More than just a sporting event, it will be a true intercultural dialogue, driven by the desire to celebrate diversity and highlight each community’s heritage.

“It’s not just a match, it’s a meeting between two communities, a moment of sharing and mutual discovery,” explains Jean-Baptiste, the originator of the project. “Through soccer, we want to create bonds, promote physical and mental health, but also give everyone the opportunity to learn from one another – whether through music, dance, or human exchange.”

The representatives of both teams say they are ready. The Haitians train regularly several times a week and promise “a great show on the field.” On the Rwandan side, enthusiasm is just as strong: “We hope not only to deliver a good match, but also to share a bit of our culture, with our traditional music and dances,” emphasizes one participant.

For the organizers, this initiative is only the beginning of a long series. The ambition is to repeat the event every year and include other communities. “This gathering is symbolic,” says the director of L’Improvisé. “It marks a desire for intercultural connection between Montreal’s Afro-descendant communities, but also beyond.”

Stanley, representative of the Haitian community, recalls the historic importance of Haitian presence in Montreal since the 1960s: “Our culture has deeply shaped the city – whether through gastronomy, music, or community life. Today, this match is an opportunity to enrich that heritage through an encounter with our brothers and sisters from Rwanda.”

The event will take place Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Lorient McDonald School Park in Saint-Laurent. On the program: the friendly match, as well as music, dance, and various cultural activities for both children and adults.

The organizers emphasize: everyone is invited, not just the Rwandan and Haitian communities. “This is not a competition, it’s a celebration of togetherness,” concludes Jean-Baptiste. “Through sport and culture, there are no losers. Everyone comes out a winner.”