The reading of the FLQ manifesto at an event to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham went ahead as planned, peacefully.
The manifesto was among 140 texts selected to be presented at the Moulin a Paroles, a 24-hour literary event meant to shed light on Quebec's history.
There were cheers and applause as Luck Mervil, a popular French singer and entertainer, delivered the manifesto of the Front de Liberation du Quebec just after midnight.
He read the text a second time Sunday morning.
"I think the people were happy that I was just able to come here and read it because it's a part of history," Mervil said.
The selection of the manifesto created a huge controversy because of the group's violent history.
The Quebec nationalist group was responsible for a series of bombings in the 1960s, including one that killed 65-year-old war veteran Wilfred O'Neil.
During the 1970 October Crisis, FLQ members kidnapped British trade commissioner James Cross and Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte. Cross was eventually released;
Laporte was murdered.
Last week, the Charest government denounced the event and refused to participate, calling the organizers apologists for terrorism.
The mayor of Quebec City, Regis Labeaume, also declined to take part in the event.
Satisfied crowd
Former Quebec premier Bernard Landry was among those who read in front of the thousands gathered on the Plains of Abraham.
He received a standing ovation after an emotional delivery of the last letter written by Chevalier de Lorimier -- a leader of the 1837-38 rebellion -- before he was executed by the English.
Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe were among those in the crowd.
The crowd cheered after a descendant of British General James Wolfe read texts that were written just before the 1759 battle.
He was joined by a descendant of French General Louis Montcalm, who later said he was satisfied that the event unfolded calmly.
With files from the Canadian Press
