Tremendous creativity, diversity, openness, effervescence – is there a better way to describe Montréal's cultural identity and vitality?

An island and a city with a rich natural, historical, artistic and architectural heritage, which it constantly strives to develop,Montréal is also a Mecca of design. Here is also where a worldwide struggle for cultural diversity is orchestrated. Where shows acclaimed throughout the world, from Paris to Las Vegas and from London to Tokyo, are conceived and created.

Montréal is also a world leader in circus arts, as well as a benchmark in theatre, literature for young audiences, contemporary dance, electro-acoustic music, film animation, and cyberculture.

As a centre for training, conception, production, dissemination and conservation, Montréal is in many ways an outstanding cultural metropolis. It owes this to its famous creators, artists, artisans, and producers, as well as to its architects, designers, city planners, teachers, researchers, couturiers, chefs, journalists, advertisers, video game designers, and all the other Montrealers who are creating and producing new ideas.

Excerpt from "Montréal, Cultural Metropolis," Montréal's 2005-2015 cultural development policy, 2005, page 1.