MONTREAL - A show at the Old Port this long weekend is impressing some onlookers by shedding light on our military past, from muskets to jet fighters.
But along with admirers young and old, the display has also been attracting protesters.
The Army of Culture exhibit, on until September 3, aims to reacquaint Canadians with the military, with flights by the Skyhawks, a parachute display and free outdoor concerts as well as other events.
A group of dancers expressed their opposition through a show called “Widows with Mirrors.”
One representative from the group explained the eerie demonstration aimed to denounce what it considers the glorification of militarism.
“The Canadian army is not a peaceful army,” said Julie Chateauvert. “People are opposed to this display because Canada recruits young people and they die very young and this is all part of politics.”
For others involved with the show, it was a chance to communicate what the military component of Canadian history means on a cultural level.
Tyler Wood was on hand to re-enact the Compagnie de La Corne, which patrolled for the old French regime for 80 years in the 1700s when Monteral was a small fortified town of 2,000.
“It was not a glamorous posting if you’re from France. You’re in native territory, it’s dangerous as this was a frontier town, being posted here as a member of the troupe de la marine meant that you’re not in the elite, you’re probably from the dregs of society,” said Wood.
Peacetime brought boring days of patrols but wartime was much worse.
Wood didn’t agree that his contribution to the military culture display was a celebration of war.
“I don’t think there’s harm in showing what it was like living back then, it’s just information and it should be available,” he said.
