As Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD) kicks off its 24th edition today, the festival has announced, during its opening reception, the creation of the Prix Lueurs, named in tribute to the career of its historic founder, Rafik Hubert Sabbagh.
Presented annually as part of FQD, this new award pays tribute to 24 years of commitment to contemporary dance and to a vision grounded in curiosity, freedom, boldness, and a passion for unexpected encounters. The name Lueurs evokes those flashes, intuitions, and singular presences that emerge, surprise, and shed new light on the contemporary creation landscape.
The announcement is particularly meaningful, as the 24th edition, taking place from September 9 to 19, 2026, is the last edition led by Rafik Hubert Sabbagh at the helm of the festival. The opening evening thus marks the beginning of a very special edition, while remaining firmly focused on the future. Over eleven days, FQD will take over Montreal’s theatres and public spaces with a vibrant program bringing together more than 40 choreographers and companies from Quebec, Canada, and around the world.
Presented annually as part of Festival Quartiers Danses, the Prix Lueurs will be awarded by a jury made up of individuals closely connected to FQD and representing diverse perspectives within the dance and cultural sectors: dancers, choreographers, promoters, presenters, and cultural professionals, with Rafik Hubert Sabbagh also joining the jury.
The award will recognize the artistic quality of the performance, as well as its ability to break new ground, surprise, provoke a response, and genuinely connect with FQD audiences. It will honour a work with a distinctive voice—one that takes risks and, in its own way, contributes to shifting perspectives and moving the field forward.
The recipient of the Prix Lueurs will be offered a performance date at the following edition of Festival Quartiers Danses, along with support in preparing and developing the work presented. This provides concrete support for an ambitious artistic proposal, giving it space to evolve and encouraging further encounters with audiences as part of the Festival.
Through the Prix Lueurs, FQD seeks to honour the career and commitment of its founder while ensuring that what has always driven the festival continues to resonate over time: curiosity, freedom, boldness, and a passion for unexpected encounters.
Festival Quartiers Danses warmly thanks all of its partners and funders, whose commitment makes this 24th edition possible. Presented by Québecor, the festival benefits from the valued support of Patrimoine canadien, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal, the Partenariat du Quartier des Spectacles, the Sud-Ouest Borough, the Ville-Marie Borough, Tourisme Montréal, and George Laoun Opticiens; as well as inspiring cultural partnerships with Place des Arts, Usine C, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, and the National Film Board of Canada.
Thanks to their trust and support, Festival Quartiers Danses continues its mission of presenting, fostering, and promoting contemporary dance, bringing it to audiences here in Montreal and beyond.