Quebec bids farewell to singer Serge Fiori in national funeral
Ceremony took place at 3 p.m. in Montreal's Place-des-Arts
Quebec said its final goodbye at a national funeral on Tuesday to honour late singer Serge Fiori, whose passing has deeply impacted many Quebecers.
The Harmonium frontman died on June 24 — Quebec's national holiday — at his home in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon, Que., after battling a long illness.
Quebec Premier François Legault announced a national funeral a few weeks ago. His office said the ceremony will give the public "the opportunity to pay a final tribute to an artist and creator who profoundly marked Quebec culture and contributed to shaping our musical landscape."
On Tuesday morning, the Quebec flag was at half-mast on the central tower of the Quebec National Assembly and will remain so until dusk.
The tribute, organized in collaboration with Fiori's family, took place at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier at Place-des-Arts in Montreal.
Members of the public — who got free tickets — and several political figures including Legault, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet and former Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume attended.
Legault delivered a speech and said he listened to Fiori's songs as a 16-year-old. He says it helped him gain a sense of confidence and understanding.
"I'm convinced there are many young people from my generation who found their place in the world thanks to Serge Fiori," he said.
Born in 1952 in Montreal, Fiori founded the group Harmonium in the early 1970s with Louis Valois and Michel Normandeau.
The iconic group's three folk-rock albums — Harmonium (1974), Si on avait besoin d'une cinquième saison (1975) and L'Heptade (1976) — revolutionized Quebec's musical identity.
An online book of condolences is also available for people wishing to send a message to Fiori's family.
Written by Hénia Ould-Hammou, with files from Annabelle Olivier and Radio-Canada's Fanny Bourel