MESSAGE FROM SENATOR RENÉ CORMIER
Canadian Theatre Ambassador

THEATRE, A SPACE FOR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

On this vast North American territory where we live, theatre acts. It creates fertile spaces where we imagine unique and singular universes, where we confront ideas and life views, where we express our indignation when faced with the injustices and the wounds of the world. Theatre, like Ariadne’s thread, gives us the freedom to imagine something different, to piece together the world in which we live, and to create the world we wish to see.

Today, everywhere across our territory, from Nunavik to Vancouver, from the golden plains of the Prairies to the maritime landscapes of the Atlantic, from the Great Lakes of Ontario to Manitoba’s luminous north, artists, be they from here or from elsewhere, young and old, Francophone, Anglophone, Indigenous or combining one of more of these identities, artists get together, dive into playwrights’ words, into creators’ universes. They visit the depths of the human soul, imagine, move, dream and create works of art. Citizen-artists, who dare step out into the light to meet us, show us the best theatre has to offer: our quest to better understand human nature; our aspiration to live in healthy, safe and prosperous communities where everyone is politically and socially engaged.

Theatre as a way to weave and reweave the threads that make up our humanity. An art of presence that dazzles us, pushes us forward, and reveals us to ourselves and to others.

This human laboratory where stories from all epochs and all cultures are forged. Stories that help us face the harshness of the world and celebrate life in all its greatness and plenitude. Stories that transcend emporal and geographic borders to reach us in the most precious thing we have in common: our quest for love, justice, beauty and solidarity.

Theatre, finally, as an awakener of conscience, keeping our civic engagement alive to allow us to speak out, resist, healthily disagree, constructively debate, and act. Theatre is this place where we gather, flesh and bones, to celebrate life in all its complex, troubling and magnificent glory.

Now, more than ever, when the world around us craves love, let us dare to practice theatre. Let us inject mystery in these places where we gather in the truth of who we really are. Today, let us rise. Applaud theatre. Celebrate it. Support it, and above all, love it.

Happy World Theatre Day!

The Honourable René Cormier
Independent Senator
Canadian Senate

Brief Biography of Senator René Cormier

Since his appointment to the Senate of Canada, the Honourable René Cormier is committed to defending and promoting arts and culture, language rights, and human rights. He currently chairs the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages and is a member of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.

Senator Cormier also serves as Vice-Chair of the Canada-Africa and Canada-France Interparliamentary Associations and acts as Second Vice-President for North America on the Open Parliament Network of ParlAmericas. The Honourable René Cormier is a founding member of the Acadian Association of Canadian Parliamentarians (AACP), a friendship group dedicated to strengthening and increasing the political influence of the Acadian people within the Canadian federation. He also cochairs the Canadian Pride Caucus, of which he is a founding member. This caucus is composed of Canadian senators and members of parliament from various groups and political parties.

Prior to his appointment to the Upper Chamber, in addition to his career as an artist and cultural manager, Senator Cormier served as president of numerous national and international organizations including la Commission internationale du théâtre francophone (CITF), la Société Nationale de l’Acadie (SNA), la Fédération culturelle canadienne-française (FCCF), l’Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (ATFC), and the New Brunswick Arts Board.

Recipient of numerous recognitions, Senator Cormier has notably been awarded an honorary Doctorate in Arts and Culture from the Université de Moncton, l’Ordre des francophones d’Amérique, and was named a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France.