Until early January, XP_MTL is back downtown Montréal with Odyssée, Where Tales & Legends Come to Life. Five giant installations, a window display contest, entertainment, musical performances and an interactive terrace await visitors on Sainte-Catherine Street West during this winter festival to spread the magic of the Holidays! The XP_MTL duo of Chantal Durivage and Jean-François Daviau promises to immerse visitors in a magical world that will brighten up downtown. Original creations will take place between de la Montagne Street and McGill College Avenue. Discover the full schedule here.
“Since the Holidays are upon us, we are pleased and proud to see downtown shining brightly. Thanks to Odyssée, organized by XP_MTL, Montrealers will get to immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas, rediscover their inner child hearts and directly contribute to reviving downtown. I encourage citizens to see everything that downtown has to offer and to support our retailers and restaurant owners, who are in dire need after another year marked by the pandemic,” said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante
Throughout a half-kilometre circuit, visitors will be immersed in a universe where tales and legends meet massive interactive installations. XP_MTL’s wish is to rekindle young hearts while walking downtown.
The legend of the bears: An XP_MTL installation by Cree artist Jason Carter
Cree Canadian artist Jason Carter has created three bear sculptures that will be installed on Sainte-Catherine Street West between Peel and Metcalfe Streets. Built by Quebec artisans, these works are inspired by a legend that says that when a bear visits us in our dreams, it is an omen that good things will come. In this series, the Bear is reacting to our dreams. Each bear has a different meaning related to solace.
Odyssée keepers: Twenty-metre-tall nutcrackers will guide visitors, throughout the entire Holiday season. These towering keepers will watch over Montrealers and all the Odyssée. Their smile is their best weapon, legends says that they can break the hardest of diamonds with one chomp. A must-see on Sainte-Catherine Street West between Drummond and Peel Streets.
The rendez-vous corner: There’s a small square where people can sit and get some rest until January on Sainte-Catherine Street West, between de la Montagne and Drummond Streets. Young and old alike will have fun turning the musical box cranks and delight in hearing the sounds of the Holidays. Every Saturday in December, the rendez-vous corner will host the XP Vocal Quartet, who will perform remixed holiday classics to please today’s ears.
XP_MTL is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer event programming supported by a strong online presence. It aims to contribute to downtown Montréal’s economic, cultural, social and touristic growth, especially on Sainte-Catherine Street. Groupe Sensation Mode designed the XP_MTL project wishing to contribute to our downtown’s influence at the local, national and international levels. This project proposes to bet on the quality of the experience offered to people living, working, studying or having fun in the downtown core—consumers, workers, students, visitors and tourists—by deploying a yearly programming that will highlight the major lifestyle trends: fashion, design, music, beauty and shopping.
Other articles from mtltimes.ca – totimes.ca – otttimes.ca
Omicron COVID-19 Variant is in Quebec
Latest data sees rise in separation anxiety as Canadian pet owners start to return to office
