Published on Monday, June 22 2026
by landrianina in Blog
Here’s what went on behind the scenes of the 75th anniversary of the Carrefour francophone during the month of June: a pivotal moment when creation, preparation, and final adjustments took center stage as the celebrations approached.
From setting up the exhibitions to coordinating the installations at Place des Arts and preparing for the launch events, every step helped bring this major project to life. At the same time, the teams continued their meticulous work of reflection and storytelling to ensure that every artwork, every space, and every moment resonated deeply.
It was an intense and pivotal month, marked by collaboration and excitement, that brought the first major highlights of this anniversary year to life.
Enjoy the read!
Born out of an initiative by Cara Ouellette, with the support of Lise Paquette—two supervisors at our early childhood centers—the “ Mes mots préférés ” project highlights all that becomes possible when we choose collaboration, active listening, and a positive approach. It celebrates each child’s strengths, interests, and unique potential, while fostering dialogue between families and educational teams.
At the heart of the project is a personalized booklet that will be created for each child and each member of the educational staff. Dynamic and ever-evolving, it will be enriched with photos, stories, and memories that will accompany each person throughout their journey. Children will also be able to keep it as a cherished memento when they leave the center to embark on new adventures.
In this spirit, artist Nicholas Dupuis led a series of workshops blending the worlds of “ Mes mots préférés ” and the 75th Anniversary “L’Expo idéale”. Administrative staff and supervisors from the early childhood centers participated in an atmosphere of creativity and letting go, strengthening the bonds that unite them.
Together, they created collaborative works in which each person added their own touch to another’s creation, providing a concrete illustration of the importance of communication, trust, and teamwork.
These works are now on display on the third floor of Place des Arts as part of the major “Expo idéale” exhibition, which marks the launch of the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of the Carrefour francophone.
“L’Expo idéale” workshop came to life at the Greater Sudbury Community Health Center, where numerous artworks were conceived, created, and assembled over the course of several weeks. But once the creations were complete, a new challenge arose: transporting and installing these monumental works across the three floors of Place des Arts.
This stage would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Jenn Herd’s installation team, who lent us a hand with professionalism, generosity, and efficiency. Thanks to their expertise, these gigantic works have found their place and are now transforming the spaces into a truly immersive experience.
A huge thank you to the entire team for their essential contribution to bringing this exceptional exhibition to life. Behind each work on display lies the work of a community that joined forces to bring this great collective project to life.
The official ceremony kicking off the 75th-anniversary celebrations came to life on stage at the Grande Salle of Place des Arts in Greater Sudbury, thanks to a production directed by Hélène Dallaire, with support from Céline Lepage, a soundscape created by Dan Bédard, and visual design by Léo Duquette.
Behind the scenes, several weeks of preparation were required to design a ceremony that was unifying, artistic, and true to the spirit of the Carrefour francophone. Every detail was carefully considered to highlight 75 years of history, while looking toward the future.
For the occasion, Les Petits Chanteurs du Nord performed at the ceremony under the direction of Anne Quesnelle, in collaboration with the Sudbury Symphony Orchestra. Their five performances brought a touch of freshness and emotion, highlighting the importance of the next generation within the Francophone community.
A leading figure in Franco-Ontarian arts, Hélène Dallaire brought her extensive experience in school and community theater to this celebration. Surrounded by passionate collaborators, she helped create a moment filled with meaning, shared memories, and collective pride.
Behind this evening was, above all, exceptional teamwork, driven by dedicated individuals who pooled their talents to make this launch a highlight of the 75th-anniversary celebrations.
A series of newsletters created to celebrate the anniversary of the oldest cultural center in French-speaking Ontario will set the tone. Each monthly issue will immerse you in the heart of our history and our projects: exclusive reveals, exciting updates, calls to action, and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
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