Montreal hosted the big National Day show Tuesday night at Maisonneuve Park. RADIO CANADA
On Tuesday evening, Montreal’s Grand Spectacle de la Fête Nationale paid a moving tribute to singer-songwriter Serge Fiori. Fiori died earlier that day at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region.
The event, hosted by actress Guylaine Tremblay, changed its program to honor the beloved Harmonium co-founder. Tremblay, holding back tears, told the audience, “The great, the immense, the marvelous Serge Fiori, who loved his country so much, left us today.” She invited everyone to sing his famous song Un musicien parmi tant d'autres to remember him.
A Night of Quebec’s Music and Pride
The Grand Spectacle centered around the theme Et si on se parle d'amour... to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Gens du pays, often seen as Quebec’s unofficial anthem. First sung by Gilles Vigneault on Mount Royal in 1975, this song featured throughout the night’s performances.
Starting at 8 p.m., artists including Robert Charlebois, Sara Dufour, Loud, and Yann Perreau performed classics from Quebec’s music scene. Songs like Jean Leloup’s 1990 and Mes Aïeux’s Dégénérations filled the park with energy and nostalgia.
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day Parade Draws Thousands
Earlier that afternoon, Montrealers gathered for the traditional Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade. The procession began at Rachel and Molson Streets and moved toward Pie-IX Boulevard, ending at Maisonneuve Park for the evening’s Grand Spectacle.
Thousands of people came out, with many dressed in festive outfits. Faces painted with the fleur-de-lis symbol, dancers, and circus performers created a lively and colorful atmosphere.
Political Leaders Join the Celebration
Representatives from various political parties also took part in the parade. Québec Solidaire co-spokesperson Ruba Ghazal highlighted the importance of celebrating Quebec’s unique identity, saying, “Being here and celebrating our Quebec values… it feels good.”
Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, leader of the Parti Québécois, spoke about the need for unity in today’s divided society. “It is time to come together, to talk to each other and to fraternize as we do today,” he told reporters.
Pablo Rodriguez, leader of the Quebec Liberal Party, reminded everyone that the day is non-partisan. “We’ll fight tomorrow or next week, but today, we’re all proud to be Quebecers,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister François Legault celebrated in his home region of Charlemagne. He asked the crowd if anyone would want to live anywhere else, and the answer was a loud no.
A Celebration Filled with Music, Pride, and Remembrance
The 2025 National Day events mixed music, culture, and politics to honor Quebec’s history and future. The sudden loss of Serge Fiori added a bittersweet note to the celebrations, reminding everyone of the lasting power of music and community.
