“A Father figure”. That’s how Roger Langevin described his creation, the Debout Statue. Here in Parc La Fontaine stands a bronze figure. It’s larger than life. This is the Debout Statue.
The Debout Statue pays homage to Félix Leclerc. Leclerc was a celebrated author. He was also a composer and singer. Many consider him the father of Québécois song. His work is a literary and poetic genre. Leclerc’s songs celebrated childhood. They also celebrated nature, love, and the common person.
Roger Langevin, the artist behind Debout, studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal. He later taught visual arts. Langevin created many monumental sculptures.
Look closely at the Debout Statue. The man stands tall. His right hand rests on his hip. His left hand holds a coat. It is draped over his shoulder. Notice the texture of his pants. It resembles tree bark. The upper part of his body commands attention.
Around the Debout Statue, you’ll see something else. There are 30 bronze plaques. They encircle the area. Each plaque features a quote from Félix Leclerc. It reads: “Nous sommes des Québécois issus de la vieille France, maîtres chez nous et loin des rois après trois siècles de patience, nous sommes québécois depuis et pour des siècles…”
This translates to: “We are Québécois who come from old France, masters of our land, and far from kings after three centuries of patience, we have been Québécois since then and for centuries…”
Langevin’s other notable works include the Monument aux travailleurs. It is located in front of the Confédération des syndicats nationaux headquarters. Another sculpture, Nos traces, un héritage, resides at the Centre de la nature de Laval.
Langevin received many awards. He won the Prix des Arts et la Ville. He was recognized for his sculpture Les pêcheurs. He also received the Distinction Alcide Horth de l’UQAR.
The Debout Statue was erected in 1990. It serves as a lasting tribute to Félix Leclerc. Leclerc died in 1988. This statue immortalizes his legacy. It celebrates his contributions to Québécois culture. The Debout Statue captures the essence of Leclerc’s spirit. It is a symbol of Québécois identity and pride.