The 6th Rendez-vous d’histoire de Québec (RDVQ) awaits history buffs and the curious in Québec. Among the forty activities and conferences scheduled for the program, August 12 will be devoted to the legacy and career of singer Alys Robi.
Quebec’s first international star, Alys Robi would have celebrated her 100th birthday this year. His fascinating journey, marked by his songs Tico-Tico, Kiss Me a lot et I hold you on my heartwill be highlighted in the conference Alys Robbie : documenting an exceptional journeyhosted by Chantal Ringuet.
She was among those who paved the way for a whole generation of authors, composers and performers, argues the author and researcher.
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Author and researcher Chantal Ringuet
Photo: Courtesy of Chantal Ringuet
Originally from Quebec, Alys Robi achieved fame at a very young age, notably through her talents as a trilingual singer, radio host and actress. Her career will come to an abrupt end following a car accident while driving towards Las Vegas. She was first hospitalized for eight weeks in Los Angeles for a concussion, then interned, with the approval of her father when she stayed for five years at the Institut universitaire en santé maladie de Québec (formerly the Saint- Michael-Archangel).
There were a lot of clichés, received ideas that we conveyed about him. At the present time, with the reliable documents that we have about her, it is important to take a new look at this woman, adds the speaker.
In addition to her artistic successes, Chantal Ringuet wishes to highlight other good moves by Alys Robi, including her fight for the rights of people who have experienced psychiatric internment or her support for the gay community.
It embodies values that are important to us in 2023, that is to say openness to diversity, its feminism, its very pioneering character. She is a woman artist who, in this very difficult environment, has always decided to pursue her ambitions despite the obstacles.
Pay homage to a pioneer
When I saw that Alys Robi’s birthday was going under the radar, I said to myself that something had to be done here, at the Rendez-vous d’histoire de Québec, says Catherine Ferland, historian and general manager of the Rendez-vous d’histoire de Québec.
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Le Moulin à images, a sound and light show by Robert Lepage, unveiled on June 20, 2008, presented, among others, the singer originally from Quebec.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Report from the program 400 fois Québec on June 21, 2008
Ms. Ferland has given herself the mission of promoting the figures and achievements of women in Quebec history that are still little known.
As a historian, as a woman and as a Quebecer, I try to rehabilitate that history. We still represent 50% of the population […], but less than 10% of commemorations are devoted to women. For me, this is not normal.
Thus, in addition to Chantal Ringuet’s conference, there will be a round table on women’s artistic careers in the 20th century as well as the multidisciplinary show Cabaret Lady Alys Robi as part of the Rendez-vous d’histoire de Québec.
The Rendez-vous d’histoire de Québec takes place in Québec until August 13.
2023-08-10 02:06:25
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