Social programme
Opening Ceremony
Following the stunning “African Frenzy” in Cape Town in 2006, Montréal , the host town 2009, is keen to present to you its joie-de-vivre in a dynamic and rousing opening ceremony. From a tribute to Banting & Best and the discovery of Insulin in 1921, an exciting circus performance from the hometown of “Cirque du Soleil”, to an interactive wooden spoon performance orchestrated by a traditional Québec folk band, the Opening Ceremony will leave you full of amazement and energy for the 20th World Diabetes Congress!
Sunday 18 October 2009, 18h00 – 19h30
Palais des Congrès Montréal , 5th floor, room 517
Free entrance for registrants at the 20th World Diabetes Congress
Dress code: casual
A private concert at Notre-Dame Basilica
Enjoy a very special evening at the majestic Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montréal. This masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, built between 1824 and 1829, opens its doors for a private concert for the delegates of the World Diabetes Congress 2009.
The church's Gothic Revival architecture is among the most dramatic in the world; its interior is grand and colourful, its ceiling is coloured deep blue and decorated with golden stars, and the rest of the sanctuary is a polychrome of blues, azures, reds, purples, silver, and gold. It is filled with hundreds of intricate wooden carvings and several religious statues. Unusual for a church, the stained glass windows along the walls of the sanctuary do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from the religious history of Montreal. It also has a Casavant Frères pipe organ, which comprises of four keyboards, 97 stops, almost 7000 individual pipes and a pedal board.
This truly magnificent and unique place with its great beauty and exceptional acoustics will host a superb choral concert opened by Pierre Grandmaison, the organist of Notre Dame, followed by a dynamic performance of the People’s Gospel Choir of Montréal embracing the cultural, racial and religious diversity of the people of Montreal.
Monday 19 October 2009, 20h00 – 21h00
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
110 Notre-Dame Street West
Admission: €25,00 per ticket
Tickets: purchase online (seats are limited so purchase now during the registration process)
Website: www.basiliquenddm.org
Métro Orange line, Place d’Armes Station.
An Evening with the President & IDF
Unite for diabetes and meet the people behind the International Diabetes Federation: The President, Member associations, and IDF staff and volunteers from around the world invite you to an evening at the Global Village:
Get inspired by the variety and creativity of the IDF community: food stalls will offer specialities from the IDF regions, and musicians and colourful costumed characters will entertain you with their skills: stilt walkers, jugglers and magicians, unicyclist and living tables...
An evening that will inspire and motivate you.
Wednesday 21 October 2009, 17h30 – 22h30
Palais des Congrès Montréal, Global Village Diabetes Cafe, hall 220d
Free entrance for registrants at the 20th World Diabetes Congress
Dress Code: casual