Street art is a crucial part of the identity of Montreal. It's part of what gives the city its artistic, bohemian reputation. In particular, around the center of the city, colorful murals, big and small, coat the walls of parking lots, restaurants and office buildings. They bring a vibrancy to the streets that makes just taking a walk an exciting, engaging activity!
Every summer, Montreal holds Mural Festival. It's a festival where artists come from all over the world to paint huge works of art on walls and the streets. The tradition is beautiful, because its mission is to make art more accessible. If all art is locked away in a museum, it limits the amount of people who get to experience it, since some may not be able to afford the entrance fee. Mural Festival is a celebration of the democratization of art, or making art available to anyone and everyone.
The people of Montreal have a history of fighting fiercely for their rights. Hundreds of thousands of people have marched through the streets over the years, opposing tuition increases for university students, walking in solidarity with women around the world, and most recently demanding climate justice in Canada's largest climate strike. By far!
