Quebec residents will be celebrating the provincial St-Jean Baptiste Day in-person Friday for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced organizers to cancel most festivities over the past two years.
Celebrations for the 188th edition kicked off with major concerts in Quebec City and Montreal on Thursday evening, where thousands of attendees sported the province’s official blue and white colours.
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About 5,000 activities across 650 locales in Quebec are planned for the long weekend, including several musical performances from the province’s top talent.
Simon Bissonnette, president of organizer Mouvement national des Québécoises et Québécois, says this year’s holiday feels like a family reunion due to the lifting of public health protocols meant to protect against COVID-19.
Quebec Premier François Legault posted a video on Twitter earlier on Friday showing himself humming “Gens du pays” by Quebec Nationalist songwriter Gilles Vigneault, which is frequently sung during birthday celebrations.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a statement in which he celebrated his Quebec heritage and touted the province as a leader in equality, justice and democracy.