Since 2019, cultural outreach workshop Make Your Words Dance by Festival Quartiers Danses (FQD) has invited participants to explore the French language through movement and writing. In collaboration with Debout: Actes de parole, this project fosters self-expression, creativity, and sharing.
This year, two six-week workshop series will begin in April with CARI St-Laurent, a long-time partner, and Accueil aux Immigrants de l’Est de Montréal (AIEM), a new partner. Guided by artists Estelle Lavoie (dance), Yanis Benyouci (slam poetry), and Sadio Sissokho (music), the project offers a caring and inclusive space that helps build self-confidence while making the learning of French more dynamic and accessible.
These workshops invite participants to explore vocabulary related to emotions and memory through both movement and words. The sessions include word banks, warm-ups, movement and dance exercises inspired by poetry, and more—developing trust in oneself and others, fostering dialogue, stimulating creativity, and breaking isolation. They also make learning or exploring the French language fun and engaging for everyone!
At its core, the project aims to create an opportunity for participants to take ownership of and explore the French language through movement and playful activities. Since its inception in 2019, the project has evolved and taken on new forms each year, thanks to the enthusiasm of the artists, the committed partners, and the participants. Over time, FQD and Debout: Actes de parole have developed a unique expertise that makes the experience accessible to all, whether one is learning French or is a professional in the field of literature.
This project is made possible with the support of Canada Council for the Arts, in partnership with Debout: Actes de parole, CARI St-Laurent, and AIEM.
