On Tuesday, the MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises inaugurates its permanent exhibition MONTRÉAL, inviting visitors to discover the city's history in a new light. A truly interactive journey, the exhibition takes an inclusive look at the different identities that make up Montreal, from yesterday to today. The museum presents some 100 testimonials from citizens, everyday objects, photos, archival audiovisual documents and powerful digital animations, so that everyone can answer the question in their own way: what is Montreal, and who is it?
Meeting Montrealers
There are as many Montreals as there are people who live or have lived here. From its very beginnings, Montreal has brought together people from many different backgrounds. The MONTRÉAL exhibition invites you to meet the people who live here, to discover what makes them different and what unites them, and to find out what forges Montreal's unique identity. Featuring some one hundred oral and video testimonials, as well as emblematic objects and images, the exhibition presents the unique stories of Montrealers from all walks of life in a dynamic and moving way. Ranging from the individual to the collective, from official history to its hidden threads, the museum tour highlights the diversity of citizens' experiences over the course of history, and takes a lucid look at our collective memory. It reveals different ways of living in the city, Montreal's place in the world, and how Montrealers see their city.
“It is with great pride that we inaugurate today the new permanent exhibition of the MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises, which paints an inclusive portrait of Montreal created by and for its citizens. I warmly invite the public to explore these new spaces, to discover objects and images that resemble us and bring us together. I congratulate all the teams behind the MONTRÉAL exhibition, the fruit of rigorous reflection and a deep desire to share the beauty and uniqueness of our city's people, rekindling our sense of belonging to this fair, inclusive and sustainable metropolis,” said Ericka Alneus, Executive Committee member responsible for culture, heritage, gastronomy and nightlife.
An inclusive citizen approach, an interactive museum signature
With the permanent exhibition MONTRÉAL, the MEM delivers on its promise to place the voices of citizens at the heart of the museum experience. The fruit of the collaboration of a dozen citizen and scientific groups, the exhibition's itinerary allows visitors to reappropriate the city's history. A contemporary interactive museography animates the spaces, and the digital installation brings history to life by masterfully animating thousands of archival photos and videos. Visitors are also invited to enrich the exhibition with their own vision of Montreal. School programs are also available for primary and secondary school students.
About MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises
MEM - Centre des mémoires montréalaises is a museum and civic space that celebrates Montrealers past and present. It allows visitors to discover the city through their eyes, their voices and their stories.
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