Mémoire MILE END

developed by Studio 303 and the Toronto Arts Council

A community is defined by its people. Mile End has long history of diversity and tolerance, making it a special place for all new comers regardless of religious background. Over three weeks, we met over fifty people who live and work in Montreal’s diverse community Mile End. We posted invitations to the community in five languages (English, French, Greek, Spanish and Portuguese) asking for their stories in order to create a walking tour through the streets & alleys of Mile End.  [SIGN UP FOR WALKING TOUR - CLICK HERE ]

This walking tour will reveal a few of the stories behind Mile End institutions such as Wilensky’s and Olympico Cafe –  places to which people still return, now in their eighties to find a sense of home. Who are the people who create these kinds of local landmarks?

Meet Tamey, the former Vietnamese Beauty Queen, a single mom with 14 children who has run the Flower Shop(s) on Bernard for over 20 years. Meet Anastasia who works with mother, father, sister, brother and extended family who have run a Greek pastry shop on Fairmount for 30 years. Hear about the Portuguese parade down St. Urbain from a woman who played in the marching band for over ten years.

As you walk the streets you will also see large photographs highlighting more people of Mile End. A reminder that these stories are but only a few of a rich history that is all around us. [CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PHOTO EXHIBIT].

WALKING TOUR:  Audio Interviews (in order of occurance):

Anastasia Kyriazopoulos – Kamenitsa on Fairmount

Ould Atigh – La Kharma on Fairmount

Patsy Van Roost – Resident on Parc Ave

Marie Lynda Bilodeau – Resident on Esplande Ave

Tamey Lau – Flower Shop on St. Bernard

Maria-Jose Raposo – Member of Portuguese Social Club on St. Bernard

Vito and Vicky – Olympico Café on St. Viateur

Danny Scalia – Caffe Grazie Mille 59 Inc. on Fairmount

Sharon Wilensky – Wilensky’s on Fairmount

(OMK) The Cathy Gordon Collective’s Lost And Found Project travels to Montreal’s Mile End to work with the local community to create Mémoire MILE END: marche un mille dans ses chaussures. The team includes Mile End artists Daniela Ansovini, Claudia Fancello, Grethe De Waal, photographer Shane Ward, sound advisor Steve Marsh and Studio 303 production director Val Desjardins. Together we work with community members to create a multi-layered project that includes both an urban photo exhibition and a walking tour created in multiple languages that tell the stories of the people who live & work in Mile End.

Walking Tour meeting spot: Barros Lucos (north/east corner of St. Urbain on Fairmount). Audience is invited to meet:

Saturday  May 29 (2pm & 4pm), Sunday May 30th (2pm & 4pm), Tuesday June 1 (2pm), Thursday June 3 (10:30am)

To RSVP for a spot – email cathy@cathygordon.com

This is a work-in-progress.

Short-term Resident of Mile End. Currently living on Jeanne-Mance for just under a year now and will be moving again this summer.

Young mom, known for her pink boots! Patsy has lived in Mile End for 20 years…

Daughter of Rocco, founder of Olympico Cafe on St. Viateur

Born and raised in Mile End, Michel is a long-time resident…

Originally from Hungary, Vilos and his son William run Antiques on Fairmount.

Le Freak Hair Salon on Fairmount