It's like being in a bubble at Parc Jean-Drapeau this weekend. Festival-goers seem to have left their worries at the entrance to the venue, ready to indulge in their carelessness and the melodies of the 33 artists on the program.
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Osheaga organizers have urged caution, days before the festival begins, although all would have liked to ignore the elephant in the room that is the seventh wave of COVID-19. However, no health measures were imposed on the 40,000 people gathered, and it was necessary to search for a long time to find a person wearing a face covering.
"Since the event is outside, we feel more comfortable," notes spectator Jessica Aqui, who was having her first experience at a festival. For 30 minutes I wore the mask and took it off... but I'm still thinking about the pandemic. At the same time, it's nice to see an event like this where people can leave it all in the past. »
Diversity, inclusion and color
This letting go was shared by all the festival-goers questioned, who seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after three years of uncertainty.
"With the pandemic in recent years, we just want to forget, enjoy with our friends and find all the festivals and events as before," corroborates Zineb Boukkad, his face covered in glitter.
The Osheaga festival has been hammering a message on its scoreboards since its opening: be yourself and don't hesitate to show your colors.
The participants followed this advice to the letter, wearing outfits that were as colorful as they were provocative, at times.
“There is a nice mix, notes Alexe Simard, visiting Parc Jean-Drapeau with his friend Justin and their friends. There is a lot of diversity, there is everything! [And] there are fewer children than in other years, which I appreciate! »
Festival-goers over 35 and under 18 were indeed rare. Open-mindedness and inclusiveness – key values of Generation Z, at least in Montreal – were therefore in order.
"I find it great that everyone dresses as they want," continues Zineb Boukkad. It's nice to see a lot of color at a festival like Osheaga. »
According to her accompanist, the native of Great Britain Kate Spree, this attitude is specific to Montreal, and not only to the festival.
“It’s very welcoming, everyone has good energy and seems happy. I come from England, and when I arrived here, I noticed that Montrealers wear what they want. There is no discomfort. »
“I love Montreal, concludes Cassandra Carreiro, who was not on her first visit to the Quebec metropolis. [Osheaga] is still a safe space. »
