La Ville de Quebec impose le français aux musiciens de rue dans le Vieux-Québec
Quebec City busker angry over new French-only rules | Hanomansing Tonight
In Quebec City, new rules now require artists to sing exclusively in French or play songs without lyrics in two areas. Busker Bosko Baker says musicians are being driven away from Quebec City because the tighter restrictions are limiting creative expression.
Read more: Buskers must now sing in French in Quebec City's tourist hub. Not everyone is happy | CBC News
It’s been nine years since Bosko Baker was approved to be a street musician in Quebec City and started playing across central areas and tourist hubs.
According to the city’s regulation regarding public entertainers, modified in May, buskers must perform in French or play instrumental at two sites located in Petit Champlain.
In an emailed statement, a city spokesperson said these two sites are reserved for French music to “underline the 40th anniversary of Quebec’s inclusion on the world heritage cities list.”
It says the “reality of francophones in Quebec City” and in these sectors deserves to be highlighted even more this year because of the anniversary. The city said the new rule is part of a pilot project that will be reevaluated.
“It’s a kind of backwards way to do it,” said Baker. “I’d prefer to be able to sing in any language we want.”
