Quebec Council for Living Heritage

The Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivant (CQPV), known in English as the Quebec Council for Living Heritage, is a Quebec-based non-governmental organization and national arts and traditions coalition. It was created in 1993 following the États généraux du patrimoine vivant held in Quebec City in June 1992. The organization's mission is to oversee the development of traditional culture and intangible (living) heritage across communities, bringing together and representing individuals and corporations involved in training, production, dissemination, mediation, documentation, and research in the living heritage sector. It also works to foster community appropriation of oral and gestural cultural traditions. The CQPV operates a range of programs and initiatives. These include the Réseau des veillées de danse au Québec (dance gathering network), Festivals Trad Québec, and the Maîtres de traditions vivantes (Masters of Living Traditions) recognition program, inspired by UNESCO's Living Human Treasures. It also administers the Prix CQPV, awarded annually since 2018 to exemplary initiatives in living heritage. The council publishes studies and orientation documents, such as the collection Les traditions culturelles du Québec en chiffres, and organizes training, events, and promotional campaigns. As a membership-based organization, the CQPV serves as a hub for Quebec's traditional arts community, connecting individuals, associations, institutions, and political bodies. Its work spans local, national, and international levels, advocating for the richness and diversity of cultural practices passed down through generations. The organization is headquartered in Quebec and operates primarily within the province, though its influence and partnerships extend to broader Canadian and international heritage networks.

The Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivant (CQPV) was created in 1993, following the États généraux du patrimoine vivant held in Quebec City in June 1992. It emerged as a national coalition for arts and traditions, aiming to unite and represent those involved in the living heritage sector. The organization's mission is to oversee the development of traditional culture and intangible heritage in Quebec communities, fostering training, production, dissemination, mediation, documentation, and research. Over the decades, the CQPV has launched numerous programs and initiatives. In 2015, it organized the video contest Ça tourne in partnership with Action patrimoine. In 2017, it launched the Festivals Trad Québec network and the Du violon à l'oreille traditional music training project. In 2018, it developed La Taupe, a digital tool for oral inquiry and documentation, in partnership with Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec. The Prix CQPV was established in 2018 to recognize exemplary initiatives in living heritage. In 2020, the CQPV initiated the Maîtres de traditions vivantes program, inspired by UNESCO's Living Human Treasures, and created the Réseau des veillées de danse au Québec. It also produced Trad-666, an introductory course on Quebec traditional music. The organization continues to publish studies, such as the collection Les traditions culturelles du Québec en chiffres, and to organize events and campaigns, including the 2022 national promotional campaign for trad festivals under the banner "Prenez l'escapade - 25 festivals trad". The CQPV has been led by several presidents and general directors. Notable leadership includes Antoine Gauthier as General Director from 2009 to 2025, and Catherine Lessard as President since 2023. The organization remains active in promoting and safeguarding Quebec's living heritage.

• 2022

  National promotional campaign for trad festivals under the banner "Prenez l'escapade - 25 festivals trad".

• 2020

  Initiated Maîtres de traditions vivantes program and Réseau des veillées de danse au Québec; produced Trad-666 course.

• 2018

  Developed La Taupe digital tool; established Prix CQPV.

• 2017

  Launched Festivals Trad Québec network and Du violon à l'oreille project.

• 2015

  Organized Ça tourne video contest in partnership with Action patrimoine.

• 1993

  CQPV founded.

• 1992

  États généraux du patrimoine vivant held in Quebec City in June.

National coalition for intangible cultural heritage and living traditions in Quebec

• Prix CQPV

  Annual award since 2018 for exemplary initiatives in living heritage in Quebec, accompanied by a bursary.

• Maîtres de traditions vivantes

  National recognition program inspired by UNESCO's Living Human Treasures, initiated in 2020.

• Réseau des veillées de danse au Québec

  Network created in 2020 linked to the ministerial designation of the dance gathering as intangible cultural heritage.

• Festivals Trad Québec

  Network launched in 2017 to promote festivals centered on cultural traditions passed down through generations.

• Publications

  Studies and orientation documents, including the collection Les traditions culturelles du Québec en chiffres.

• 2022Prenez l'escapade - 25 festivals trad

1. 1Accueil | Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivantpatrimoinevivant.qc.ca
2. 2À propos | Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivantpatrimoinevivant.qc.ca
3. 3Quebec Council for Living Heritage - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Conseil québécois du patrimoine vivant - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org