On the occasion of la Fête nationale du Québec, Québec’s National Day, Jean-Claude Lauzon, Québec’s Delegate General in New York, and Andrea Townrow, Director of the Québec Trade Office in Philadelphia, welcomed Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney and members of the local business and cultural communities to a reception held last evening at the Barnes Foundation.
“With trade between our two regions standing at $4 billion, Pennsylvania is Québec’s 4th largest trading partner in the U.S.,” said Québec’s Delegate General in New York Jean-Claude Lauzon. “Québec’s National Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our ties together and, for us Quebecers, to thank partners, allies and friends in this beautiful city.”
In his remarks, Philadelphia Mayor Kenney announced that he will lead an important business trip to Québec July 15-19: “Canada has long been a strong partner, not just for the United States, but for our city and region in particular,” said Mayor Kenney. “In addition to the trade and investment connections that exist between Canada and the Philadelphia region, we also have a lot in common. I look forward to traveling to Québec next month, learning from our peers, and exploring all the ways we can further strengthen our relationship.”
The well-attended event was held at the Barnes Foundation in honor of the “Berthe Morisot: Woman Impressionist” exhibition, which opens June 21 at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ). This touring exhibition is co-organized by the Barnes Foundation, Dallas Museum of Art, MNBAQ and the Musées d’Orsay et l’Orangerie and will be on view at the Barnes from October 21, 2018 through January 14, 2019.
“I can’t think of a better place to hold Québec’s National Day celebration than at the Barnes Foundation,” said Andrea Townrow, Director of the Québec Trade Office in Philadelphia. “The partnership on the Berthe Morisot exhibition illustrates the strong cultural, business, and civic links between Québec and Philadelphia. Mayor Kenney’s business trip to Québec is an opportunity to further expand strengths in key sectors such as life sciences and smart city technologies.”
Sponsors of the celebration included Bentley Systems, a software development company with significant commitments to both Philadelphia and Québec, and Leger Marketing, one of the premier market research companies in the Philadelphia area. Also, in a drawing during the celebration, Air Canada generously offered two round-trip tickets to any North American destination.