The Fleurdelisé celebrated its 75th anniversary on Saturday afternoon with the unveiling of the largest flag in Quebec’s history on the Esplanade des Place des Arts in Montreal.
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“Our flag is more than a symbol. It’s a source of pride. It’s a standard all Quebecers rally behind; regardless of their origins, regardless of their political opinions,” chanted CAQ MNA Karine Boivin Roy before opening the celebrations.
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In the crowd, the atmosphere is electric. The patriotic speeches were warmly welcomed by the hundreds of spectators who came to celebrate this historic moment.
On the anthem Gens du Pays, sung by Daniel Boucher, the greatest lily in history is finally unveiled. Together, the assembled volunteers and spectators were able to raise the impressive 60ft by 90ft flag.
Proud despite decline
“If today we unveil this giant lily, the largest in history, in the heart of the metropolis, where our language and our culture are most abused, it is to send the clear message that we are determined to tip,” says Trend Marie-Anne Alepin, President of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society of Montreal (SSJB), denouncing the decline of French.
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She came up with the idea of making the giant flag to affirm Quebec’s importance to the rest of the world.
“I left with the big idea of making the biggest flag in the world to show how beautiful and proud we are, but we have standards to respect. I’m still proud to say it’s the largest flag ever made in Quebec,” said the President.
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One for all, all for one
The celebrations were marked, among other things, by the union of the various political parties to convey a common message: that of their love for the nation and their flag.
“When you are outside of Quebec and you see this flag, an emotion comes over you that reminds you of your belonging to a community that has been around for several hundred years and has values and values that we must protect and preserve,” said the Liberal MP Frantz Benjamin.
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Other parties such as the Parti Québécois (PQ) and Québec solidaire took the opportunity to reaffirm their pro-independence positions.
“That’s such a beautiful flag! I’ll probably be happy to see it floating down the East River at United Nations Headquarters, and maybe then we’ll join the 140 countries in the world that don’t have a flag day,” launched PQ President Jocelyn Caron.
“The flag is not only a symbol of the past, it is also a call to what we want to become. […] For me, it’s a march towards independence,” said Manon Massé, co-spokeswoman for Québec Solidaire.
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