8,000 festival-goers at the Carnaval du Monde de Repentigny despite the weather
Roger Romulus ·
The Haitian group Boukman Eksperyans was there.
From July 17 to 19, Parc de l'Île Lebel was transformed into a grand village for the 9th edition of the Carnaval du monde de Repentigny. Despite the cancellation of Saturday's activities, nearly 8,000 people celebrated cultural diversity to the rhythms of Gabriel Gobeil and the legendary Haitian group Boukman Eksperyans.
Parc de l'Île‑Lebel came alive to the sounds of world music from July 17 to 19, during this 9th edition, presented by the organization LAKAY under the theme "Le rythme de nos racines" (The Rhythm of Our Roots).
The event opened with an energetic performance by Gabriel Gobeil, an artist originally from Repentigny, whose entrance on stage immediately set the tone. In total, three days of celebration, discovery and connection unfolded across a site transformed into a true village of the world.
Throughout the weekend, the public enjoyed a packed, decidedly family-friendly program. Cultural and artisanal booths, world cuisine, dance workshops, interactive entertainment, face painting, crafts and inflatable games filled the park, while the main stage welcomed musicians, a DJ and dance troupes from near and far.
Blended rhythms, colorful costumes and drums created a vibrant atmosphere, carried by dozens of artists and volunteers. A major highlight this year: the broadcast on a giant screen of the Soccer World Cup final, a moment of sporting and cultural communion that brought entire families together in an electrifying atmosphere.
The festival's crowning moment came Sunday evening, with the performance of the legendary Haitian group Boukman Eksperyans. An iconic figure of roots music, the band delivered a powerful and deeply felt show before a large crowd. Flags flying in the wind, songs sung in chorus, dancing until nightfall: an evening charged with emotion and pride, one that will remain etched in the memory of festivalgoers and in the history of the Carnaval.
The cancellation of Saturday's activities, decided as a precautionary measure, did not dampen the event's momentum. The public returned in full force the following day, demonstrating the resilience of a community deeply attached to this annual gathering.
"Despite the challenges, festivalgoers showed us that diversity, music and living together are stronger than anything. Seeing nearly 8,000 people gathered at Parc de l'Île‑Lebel, from all walks of life, is exactly what the Carnaval is all about," said Pierre Richard Thomas, Executive Director of LAKAY.
The organization warmly thanks the artists, volunteers, partners and sponsors who made this edition possible, including the Ville de Repentigny, the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada, as well as the businesses and elected officials who support the event year after year.
Already, LAKAY is inviting the public to mark their calendars for 2027 to grandly celebrate the 10th edition of the Carnaval du monde de Repentigny — an anniversary edition that the organization hopes will be even more spectacular, with an enhanced program and several surprises.
Those wishing to get involved as volunteers, sponsors or collaborators are encouraged to contact the organization, while the public is invited to subscribe to the newsletter to be among the first to learn about the program and the date of the grand parade.
LAKAY, a non-profit community organization based in Repentigny, works to promote the social, cultural and economic inclusion of immigrant and racialized communities. In addition to producing the Carnaval du monde, the organization runs youth mentorship, digital education and intercultural outreach programs.