MARGUERITE ET SES MOMENTS DE LUCIDITÉ

MARGUERITE & HER LUCID MOMENTS 

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Discovered in 1906 by the neurologist Alois Alzheimer, Alzheimer's disease is a "neuro-degenerative" brain disorder, that causes a gradual and slow disappearance of neurons. To this day, it remains incurable. Alzheimer's disease and related diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), represent the most serious health problem of the 21st century. In Canada, it is estimated that 747.000 people are suffering from this disease, they will be 1.4 million within 15 years. Women account for 72% of those affected. The cost of cognitive illnesses for the Canadian economy is 33 billion per year. By 2040, this cost will skyrocket to reach 293 billion million per year.

THE CREATION

Marguerite is living with Alzheimer's disease. Like a queen, she is dressed and pampered to live her day. Her grand son, an ethnomusicologist, visits her regularly. Returning from a field trip in Ghana, he makes his grand-mother listen to the Kete rhythm. To his surprise, she remembers glimpses of the dance. Indeed, Marguerite has worked as a nurse in Ghana, in the 1950s, where she was invited by the king of the Asante people. The Kete music opens a door to her past. Through it, we discover important parts of her life.

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COLLABORATORS

Reena Almoneda-Chang

Carl Archambault

Diane Langlois

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CONSULTANTS

Eric Baffour Awuah &

Emmanuel Cudjoe (Performing Arts - Ghana University)

Michel Poulette

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GRANTS

Conseil des Arts et des Lettres du Québec

Conseil des Arts de Longueuil

THE CREATION WORKSHOPS

Lead by the artist and dance-therapist Carol Jones, Marguerite and her lucid moments invites people dealing with neuro-degenerative disease and cognitive impairments (or at risk of) such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases to live expression workshops. Participants can explore dance using music, images, objects, words, sounds, etc., illustrating and/or interpreting moments of yesterday's & today's life. Marguerite and her lucid moments assembles a group of intergenerational artistic helpers. Young and old are grafted to the project to bring pulse and energy to these afflicted persons. In 2019, in collaboration with the teacher Caroline Lachance, some high school students, from the Antoine-Brossard school, lived the project.

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GRANTS

Ministère de l'Éducation et de

l'Enseignement Supérieur

Bureau de la Culture

de Longueuil

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PARTNER

Maison des Tournesols

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LINKED TO COGNI-DANCE & MOVEMENT

Pierrette Coulombe-Jones, 1923 -