Montreal: 22nd Edition of the Creole Month

Montreal – The 22nd edition of the Creole Month concluded in a festive atmosphere and a spirit of sharing, bringing together a diversity of communities around the Creole language and culture. Founded by Pierre Rolland Benin, the event once again confirmed its essential place in Montreal’s cultural landscape.

From the beginning, some organizers feared low participation. “At first, we were a bit anxious because not many tickets had been sold,” said Pierre Rolland Benin. “But as you could see, the venue was full, and we are truly happy with the public’s response.”

The activities of the Creole Month were a great success in several emblematic venues of the city, notably at the Grande Bibliothèque de Montréal, the Maison de la culture du Plateau-Mont-Royal, and the Maison de la culture Claude-Léveillée, where the rooms were packed.

This year, the organization chose to return to traditional methods to mobilize the public. “We went back to the old methods: calling people, sending them letters and special invitations,” explained Benin. “In the end, we see that it pays off.”

Beyond participation, the event conveyed a message of unity and inclusion. “On stage, there were Haitian, African, Chilean comedians… a little bit of everyone,” the founder emphasized. “The Creole Month does not belong only to Haitians, it belongs to everyone: Quebecers, Montrealers, Canadians. Everyone has their place in this event.”

The previous week, the festival had already made an impression with the Québec-Caribbean-Oceanian Book Fair, once again demonstrating its commitment to bringing people together beyond their origins.

Marie Turli Clairville, president of the International Committee for the Promotion of Creole and Literacy (KEPKA), reiterated this message during the closing ceremony. “We are many Creole speakers here in Montreal and in Canada,” she recalled. “Our culture is vast, rich, and it is time to take our place. This year’s theme was Let’s Unite. It is not just a Haitian celebration; there are also people from Martinique, Guadeloupe, Seychelles, Mauritius… We are proud to be Creole speakers in this host country.”

Clairville also emphasized the importance of broadening the vision of Creole: “When we talk about Creole, we also talk about culture: our traditions, our way of being, our way of life. It is a richness that must be shared with the host society.”

With this 22nd edition, the Creole Month reaffirms its mission: to celebrate a plural and open identity, while strengthening ties between communities. By focusing on unity and inclusion, the event establishes itself as an essential cultural bridge in the Montreal and Canadian landscape.