World Press Photo 2026

  

EXPO WORLD PRESS PHOTO 2026

Montreal 19th Edition

August 26 - October 13, 2025

At Marché Bonsecours

 

The World Press Photo Exhibition is an annual flagship event in the Montreal’s beginning of the fall cultural calendar. As in the past, it is also this year being held at the Bonsecours Market in the Montreal's Old port. Regularly, over 65,000 people attend this large-scale international exhibition, which has been organized in various countries each year since 1955 by the World Press Photo Foundation based in the Netherlands. 

The World Press Photo Exhibition 2026 is travelling to over 60 cities across dozens of countries worldwide as part of its annual global tour.

To discover the exhibition near you, consult here.

 

One of the themes of the Montreal's exhibition deals with the environmental issues. The very first picture in this article deals with the survival of Pandas in its natural environment. The photo just above documents a White bear riding on the back of a Sperm whale.

In addition, the World Press Photo focuses on the subject of Agrotoxins and it's devastating consequences on the inhabitants; health. It is titled "The Human Cost of Agrotoxins" by the photographer Pablo E. Povano, who is the World Press Photo 2026 winner in the South America Long-Term category. He highlights the extension of this problem in Argentina, in the regions like Chaco, Nisiones, Enre Rios, and Cordoba. 

  

The predominant themes of the photos on display deal with the political and regional war conflicts and with the everyday hardship endured by ordinary people in many parts in the world, be they natural or men-made. 

 

There are also photos of human perseverance and success, like Muslim women horse riding and forming horse riding teams, that was previously categorically forbidden to them. 

Also a story of a Chinese woman who got in-vitro fertilization at the age of 60 and gave birth to lovely twin girls.

 

 

At the second level of the exhibition, on a balcony overhanging over the World Press Photo exhibit below, are displayed the works of the local Quebec photographers, 7 separate thematic displays.

Seven new additional exhibitions

The World Press Photo Montreal Exhibition will showcase seven new complementary exhibitions, including Jacques Nadeau Page-One Material!, Claire Beaugrand-Champagne’s To Live, Martin Chamberland’s And Life Goes On, Dot Dot Dot, Tracing Human Ground, a collection of works by 28 students from Cégep du Vieux Montréal, and the finalist photographs from the 21st edition of the Antoine-Desilets Award of the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes (FPJQ). 

 

Click on Images for a photo gallery.

All photos @ Nadia Slejskova

Click on the title above the first photo in this article for the article's dedicated website address.

See all previous World Press Photo Montreal articles, under this year's, here.

World Press Photo Exhibition 2026 

 

MUTEK 2026

MUTEK Festival 27th Edition

Six evenings of amplified sound and visual experiences

August 25 - 30, 2026

MUTEK, the international festival of digital creativity and electronic music, takes place in the heart of Montréal.

For six days and nights, artists and audiences from every corner of the globe will converge in the Quartier des spectacles for an expanded experience at the intersection of sound, image, and innovation. True to its spirit of bringing people together, the esplanade Tranquille remains the beating heart of the festival, featuring a series of free outdoor performances every evening starting at 5 p.m. This year, the indoor program takes a new step forward by taking over iconic venues: the Society for Arts and Technology [SAT] and MTELUS, as well as the Maison symphonique and, for the first time, Les Grands Ballets’ Studio-Theatre.

Designed to offer a broad, diverse, and contrasting panorama of contemporary electronic music and digital creation, the 27th edition features venues whose technical and sensory characteristics complement the artistic presentations. With its monumental architecture and unique acoustics conducive to attentive listening, the Maison symphonique will host three extraordinary evenings of performances alternating between classical instrumentation and electronic music. As for Les Grands Ballets, the Studio-Theatre will open up a new space for experimentation for the Play series, returning after several years, in an environment conducive to enhanced audio-visual experiences.

With an artistic lineup that remains rich, eclectic, and . multifaceted, the 27th edition is all about amplifcation: an edition that continues to push boundaries, driven by the enthusiasm

and excitement that audiences around the world continue to show. MUTEK reaffirms its status as the must-attend summer event celebrating the diversity and vitality of digital cultures.

A broad view of contemporary sound and visual art

Nearly 120 artists from 28 countries will be featured across 18 programs, the majority of which are Montréal premieres. From live performances and immersive audio-visual works to dance experiences and hybrid creations, the 27th edition showcases a wide range of contemporary practices in electronic music and digital creativity. Structured around five series, the programs other different intensities, aesthetics, and ways of engaging with sound, image, and space.

Nocturne Series | Society for Arts and Technology | August 26–30, starting at 10 p.m. | $40/$45 (+taxes and fees)

The backbone of the Festival, the Nocturne series takes over both the Espace SAT and the Satosphere’s dome, bringing together future revelations and essential pioneers. On the program: groundbreaking works that reinvent contemporary music, enhanced by a state-of-the-art visual environment.

Métropolis Series | MTELUS | August 28 and 29, from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. (Friday) and 6 a.m. (Saturday) | $50 (+taxes and fees)

The Métropolis series returns to MTELUS for back-to-back all-nighters devoted to sensory immersion. A dynamic sequence of rhythmic performances, presented within a spectacular stage design orchestrated by BelleyFERRIS, shaping a space conducive to memorable collective experiences.

Play Series | Grands Ballets’ Studio-Theatre | August 29 and 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | $25 (+taxes and fees) The Play series returns with a program dedicated to audio-visual performances, presented

in the afternoon. Conceived as a space where sound, image, and technological staging converge, it brings together projects in which the visual experience plays as central a role as the music. Through analogue experiments, DIY interfaces, and digital environments, Play

explores different ways of producing images and narratives through performance, in formats that are accessible, spectacular, and rooted in contemporary audio-visual practices.

Expérience Series | Esplanade Tranquille | August 25–30, from 5 p.m. to midnight (until 11 p.m. on Tuesday) | Free admission

Every day starting at 5 p.m., the free outdoor stage transforms the esplanade Tranquille into a lively gathering place where people, sounds, and energy come together. With eclectic discoveries, vibrant atmospheres, and unexpected musical collaborations, Montréalers and

visitors are invited to celebrate together throughout the evening. Several surprises, to be revealed in the coming months, will enhance the experience.

For more information: https://montreal.mutek.org/en/box-office

Italia è moda 2026

ITALIA è MODA Exposition

Italian Fashion Days Worldwide
 

Celebrating the excellence of "Made in Italy" at the

M.A.D. Festival 2026

August 18–23, 2026 

As part of the 26th edition of the M.A.D. Festival (Fashion, Arts, and

Entertainment), Montreal will host the second edition of the "Italian

Fashion Days Worldwide" event, featuring the exhibition Italia è moda

a unique showcase dedicated to the creativity, craftsmanship, and

innovation of "Made in Italy." 

Curated by Clara Tosi Pamphili, the exhibition is designed like a

theatrical stage where garments, accessories, and iconic objects

interact across various moments of daily life: day, evening, and sport.

The showcase features creations from both major fashion houses and

emerging designers, alongside pieces representing Italian leather

goods, footwear, eyewear, jewelry, and cosmetics. 

Highlights include two original costumes from Federico Fellini’s film

Casanova, designed by Danilo Donati and crafted by Sartoria Farani,

that won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 1977

Audiovisual content and interactive digital installations further enrich

the experience by showcasing the creative processes and heritage of

the participating Italian companies. 

 

 

The exhibition is being held at the lobby of the

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel
900 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, Montreal  

This initiative by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the 

International Cooperation (MAECI) is realized with the support of the

Embassy of Italy in Ottawa, the Consulate General of Italy in Montreal,

the Italian Cultural Institute in Montreal, and the Italian Trade Agency

(ICE) in Montreal. 

All photos @ Nadia Slejskova
 

More information here.

PAC 2026: Treaty of the Great Peace 1701

  

The Treaty of the Great Peace of Montréal 
was signed on August 4, 1701

Pointe-à-Callière commemorates the Great Peace of Montréal

August 8 – September 26, 2026

Exactely 325 years ago, Montréal hosted one of the largest diplomatic gatherings in the history of North America.

Today, the Pointe-à-Callière (PAC), Montréal’s archaeology and history complex, is celerating the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Great Peace of Montréal, an exceptional agreement between 38 Indigenous nations and representatives of New France signed in 1701 on the very site of the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.

As part of the commemorations of this pivotal event in the city’s history, the Museum is presenting an interpretive tour that provides further insight into the peace process, marked by exchanges, negotiations, travel, and rituals. It also highlights objects that bear witness to this period of history, including wampum beads and fragments of peace pipes, some of which were discovered at the Museum’s archaeological site. The visit culminates at Fort Ville-Marie with the exhibition of the only known copy of the treaty, an exceptional loan from the Archives nationales d’outre-mer.

The Great Peace of Montréal: A Major Diplomatic Event

To this day, the Great Peace remains one of the most important diplomatic gatherings in North American history! At the time, there were only 1,200 inhabitants in Montréal. But on August 4, 1701, more than 1,300 representatives from 38 Indigenous nations, along with French and Canadian representatives, met at the Callière estate to make peace and bring an end to nearly a century of conflict.

However, the challenge was a considerable one. There was an extraordinary continental dimension to the gathering, given the geographical extent of the participants’ provenance—the entire northeast of the American continent. This historic meeting gave rise to an unprecedented opportunity for discussion, alliance, and negotiation. Together, the participants signed the Treaty of the Great Peace of Montréal.

For the first time the signed document is presented to the public in a vertical position, so that both sides of the four pages are exposed to the visitors.

The document is old and fragile, and for that reason the enclosure where it is displayed is dark. No photo flash is permitted.

The Architects of the Great Peace

This peace agreement is the result of a collective process that rallied a great number of stakeholders: delegates from Indigenous nations, French representatives, and interpreters who facilitated the exchanges between peoples with different languages and cultures.
 
Key figures at this event included, among others, the Wendat chief Kondiaronk, known for his political influence and oratorical skills, whose leadership was crucial both before and during the negotiations. Also present was Louis-Hector de Callière, Governor of Montréal—and later, Governor General of New France—, who played an important diplomatic role throughout the Great Peace process. The meetings with ambassadors that led to the conclusion of this historic treaty notably took place at Callière’s residence.

 

A Major Turning Point in Montréal’s history

In bringing an end to several decades of conflict, the Great Peace established a period of stability lasting approximately 60 years, contributing to the development of trade and reinforcing Montréal’s strategic role on the continent. More than three centuries after its signing, the Great Peace of Montréal remains a benchmark for dialogue, negotiation, and coexistence between peoples. The commemoration of the 325^th anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the historical significance of this treaty, as well as the current relevance of the values it embodies: listening, diplomacy, and the search for lasting peace.

Summer Programming Relating to the Great Peace of Montréal
 
Cultural Activities
On Sundays during the summer, enjoy free activities for the whole family, including the one on August 9^th, which will mark the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples! (Free – Outdoors – 1 pm to 4 pm)
 
18^th Century Public Market
A summer highlight, the 33^rd edition of the Public Market will be themed around the Corn Festival. This impressive re-creation of a market day in Montréal under the French Regime is brought to life by various authentic characters who frequented the market, with numerous activities taking place throughout the event. (Free – Outdoors – Saturday, August 29 – 10 am to 7 pm || Sunday, August 30 – 10 am to 6 pm)

Acknowledgements
The exhibition of the Great Peace treaty is made possible through the exceptional collaboration of the Archives nationales d’outre-mer de France, in partnership with Air Canada Cargo and Hôtel Saint-Sulpice.

All photos @Nadia Slejskova

Click on any image for photo gallery. 

 

For more information visit the Pointe-à-Callière museum website.

www.pacmusee.qc.ca

About
Inaugurated in 1992, on the city’s 350^th anniversary, Pointe-à-Callière is today the largest archaeology museum in Canada and the busiest history museum in Montréal. Rising above a concentrated number of historic and archaeological sites of national significance—including the birthplace of Montréal—, the Museum has a mission to preserve its collections and to further knowledge, while showcasing and fostering an appreciation for Montréal’s archaeological and historical heritage. This mission is carried out through various activities focused on conservation, research, presentation, education, and inclusion, along with community initiatives benefiting both Montrealers and visitors to the city. Pointe-à-Callière, proud partner of the City of Montréal. 

   

Orchestre Métropolitain 2026

ORCHESTRE METROPOLITAINE GRAND CONCERT

FREE CONCERT

Montreal, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 7:30 p.m.

At the foot of Mount Royal

 LIVE BROADCAST ACROSS QUEBEC