(Quebec) The French singer Yves Duteil was made a knight of the National Order of Quebec, Wednesday, during a ceremony at the Circle of the garrison, in Quebec. He sang, as a thank you, one of his most famous ballads.
The emotion was palpable in the room when the singer-songwriter, who has a 50-year career, grabbed his guitar and sang La langue de chez nous, a song dedicated to Félix Leclerc in which he talks about Quebec.
“It’s a beautiful language, on the other side of the world”… using the words of this song in a speech, Prime Minister François Legault called Yves Duteil a “great friend” and “ally” of the nation Quebec.
“It will always be a fight for Francophones. Your song La langue de chez nous has a very strong meaning for us. We see it as a declaration of love for the French language,” he said.
Saying he “savored” the special bond that has long united him in Quebec, Mr. Duteil, who is 73 years old, took the opportunity to deliver a vibrant plea in favor of the French language (“my dear French language, I t love, until my last breath”).
He argued that in a world dominated by English, French must be “inspired, creative and less of a follower”. The famous singer has also applauded the recent advertisements of the Government of Quebec which aim to curb the decline of French.
“English offers its technical precision; […] French has superpowers. It is the language of the immaterial, of poetry, of feeling, of diplomacy,” said the artist who is currently on tour in Quebec.
“The French language could be invincible. In the digital age, it is our fingerprint, our identity, our rallying sign,” he added, before being warmly applauded by the dignitaries present.
A true “love at first sight” for Quebecers, Yves Duteil is a man of peace and gentleness, whose songs “are part of our popular culture”, concluded Mr. Legault.
The National Order of Quebec is the highest distinction awarded by the Government of Quebec.
Every year since 1985, the Premier of Québec has paid tribute to exceptional people who, through their achievements, their values and their ideals, have marked the development and influence of Québec.
It confers on them the prestigious titles of knight, officer or grand officer of the Ordre national du Québec.
The Order includes 1,074 Quebec personalities and 72 foreign personalities, or 1,146 members. Of these, 72% are men and 28% are women.