Regional funerals can be conducted by VLB under their authorization
Victor-Lévy Beaulieu, a prolific writer, playwright, publisher, screenwriter, journalist, and chronicler, passed away on June 9th at the age of 79. Despite his significant contributions to Quebec culture, he did not receive national funeral arrangements from the Quebec government.
Instead, the leadership of the regional popular funeral ceremony for Beaulieu on August 30 was taken over by the cultural community and close family members. The ceremony will be staged by Dominic Champagne and hosted by Yves Desgagnés, and is being presented as a celebration of Beaulieu's life and work. Many notable figures from literature, acting, music, and more are expected to attend.
The ceremony will take place at the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Church in Trois-Pistoles. The 250 tickets reserved for the general public have already been sold out.
The quote, "He saw through the river the idea of transit, of passage, metamorphosis, the possibility of going elsewhere," is attributed to Beaulieu, suggesting that he had a vision of transformation and movement.
Meanwhile, news of another cultural figure has been making headlines. Isabelle Vaillancourt, the general director of Publications BLD, which publishes "Les Débrouillards" among others, passed away on Sunday.
In a separate development, French journalist Vincy Thomas' new book, "What the world owes to LGBTQ+", is being discussed. In this book, Thomas portrays 30 significant contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the world. Vincy Thomas lived several years in Montreal.
Beaulieu's daughters, Melanie and Julie, have expressed their dismay in an open letter sent to the media about their father's exclusion from national funeral arrangements. This decision has been met with indignation.
Poet Gaston Miron remains the only author to have received national funeral arrangements in Quebec, in 1996. It's a reminder of the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the lives and works of our cultural icons.
The regional funeral for Victor-Lévy Beaulieu promises to be a moving tribute to a man who saw through the river the idea of transit, of passage, metamorphosis, and the possibility of going elsewhere.
