Montreal author Christopher DiRaddo is sounding the alarm after the Père-Ambroise library rejected his request to host the Violet Hour book club, citing Quebec’s language laws as the primary reason. The club, which focuses on LGBTQ+ literature, has been gathering at another venue since its inception in 2018, attracting between 15 to 35 attendees each month.
Recently, DiRaddo approached the library located in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, hoping to host the book club there. He received an email response stating the space was already booked, but also noted the library's obligation under provincial language laws to host events primarily conducted in French.
“It felt useless. It felt like a barrier,” DiRaddo shared during a phone interview with The Canadian Press. He expressed his viewpoint about how implementing translation for conversational English topics might stifle the natural flow of discussion within the group, particularly as many attendees are bilingual or choose to engage with the material either in English or French.
Interestingly, DiRaddo's club often selects books available in both French and English. A recent title discussed was by Montreal author Éric Chacour, titled Ce que je sais de toi. “Half of the people who read the book read it in French, half read it in English,” DiRaddo pointed out. “Some people even chose to read it in both languages, which stimulated rich discussions primarily conducted in English.”
The City of Montreal, meanwhile, has backed the library’s stance, emphasizing the necessity of providing services chiefly in French. Spokesperson Nicky Cayer affirmed the city’s commitment to language laws, stating, “The city encourages the holding of events representing the city's full diversity.” Cayer elaborated on this philosophy by mentioning the importance for speakers of French to participate freely at events, potentially aided by informal translation of discussions.
Following her explanation, library manager Isabelle Morrissette offered DiRaddo alternative locations for his book club gatherings. While she expressed genuine interest in supporting DiRaddo's initiative, she reiterated the library's constraints under current legislation.
DiRaddo received the library's response politely, but the effect of their decision left him feeling unwelcome. He relayed his concerns about how language laws could discourage community building and coexistence within Montreal's diverse population. “Laws like this, situations like this, really do not make the city a very welcoming place for people to come, or even for people who live here,” he voiced. “It's making me feel like I don't belong.”
Although disheartened by the library’s rejection, DiRaddo expressed determination to continue the book club's work. While they can remain at their current location, it does have its limitations, especially as attendance grows and the room at times lacks adequate seating.
Looking to the future, DiRaddo remains hopeful about finding another space within the Village area to help bolster the local arts culture, particularly amid challenges such as business closures and homelessness afflicting the neighborhood. This quest to secure new accommodations is pivotal not just for his book club but for revitalizing the community’s cultural fabric. “Our book club is open and welcoming,” he reaffirmed. “We want everyone to feel included.”
This unfortunate incident has spotlighted the dilemmas surrounding language laws and their broader impact on community engagement and inclusivity. For Montreal, the challenge remains finding balance between cultural preservation and fostering environments friendly to diverse expressions.