Quebec is proud of the creative strength of Quebec musicians, the richness of its musical traditions and their ability to engage with the world’s major cultural scenes.

 

The presence of Quebec artists and groups in the public programming of the Celtic Connections festival is distinguished by its scale and symbolic scope.

 

The festival features well-established and beloved Scottish acts—including Le Vent du Nord, a true festival favorite—as well as a new generation of artists offering contemporary, feminine, socially engaged, or hybrid perspectives. Together, they create a dialogue between Quebec traditions and Celtic, Gaelic, and North Atlantic worlds, in an approach where tradition is seen as a living, constantly evolving entity.

 

This dynamic has been part of a deep historical and cultural relationship between Quebec and Scotland for years. In 2009, Quebec was the guest of honour at Showcase Scotland, as part of Celtic Connections. On that occasion, leading Quebec traditional music groups—La Bottine Souriante, Le Vent du Nord, Yves Lambert et le Bébert Orchestra, Genticorum, Galant, tu perds ton temps and Les Chauffeurs à pied—made a lasting impression.

 

Like their predecessors, the Quebec artists present in 2026 continue today this essential role of cultural intermediaries, helping to strengthen the links between communities, languages and musical memories across the Atlantic.