TheStar.com | Canada | Pass the peace pipe and inhale: McCartney Pass the peace pipe and inhale: McCartney
Singer rejects criticism by Quebec nationalists
Jul 18, 2008 04:30 AM
Sean Gordon
Quebec Bureau Chief
QUEBEC CITY–Former Beatle Paul McCartney has a talent for sparking a furor when he lands on Canadian shores.
In 2006, the singer-songwriter touched off a minor storm in Atlantic Canada with his vocal opposition to the seal hunt. McCartney's visit included trading barbs on CNN with Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams.
And as McCartney prepares for a mammoth concert here Sunday, he's in the eye of a storm once again: prominent Quebec nationalists are in full froth over what they term a British cultural invasion.
In an interview with Radio-Canada yesterday, McCartney played down complaints voiced by some ardent nationalists that his visit compounds the "Canadianization" of Quebec City's 400th anniversary celebrations.
"I think it's time to, you know, smoke the pipe of peace and just put away the hatchets, because I think it's a show about friendship," McCartney said in a nod to his 1983 hit, "Pipes of Peace."
Earlier this week, Quebec sculptor Luc Archambault issued an open letter denouncing McCartney's arrival because the star is British. The letter was co-signed by several high-profile artists and a handful of Parti Québécois legislators.
McCartney rejected criticism that his concert is an affront to Quebec's francophone culture.
"I'm very friendly with the French people that I know, I'm friendly with people of all nationalities. I'm friendly with German people, but by ... (Archambault's) argument I should never go to Germany again" because of World War II.
Criticism of his appearance is part of a steady outcry that the 400th celebrations have been sanitized of all mention of separatist sentiment and that they have evolved into something other than a celebration of francophone Quebec.
The province's call-in shows and Internet discussion forums were swamped with criticism of the organizing committee's choice of U.S. arena rockers Van Halen as the headline act on July 3, the formal anniversary of the city's founding.
"There will always be whiners. ... Our mandate was to set up a celebration and that's what we've done," said Luci Tremblay, a spokesperson for the 400th anniversary committee.
Live 8 in 2004 
Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney received a hostile reception this week from some Quebec separatists as he prepares for his concert on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec City on Sunday.

The controversy began when Quebec artist Luc Archambault released an open letter last week criticising the concert as a "British invasion". The letter was also signed by some other separatists including a few Parti Québécois politicians. The concert is located at the site of the 1759 Battle of the Plains of Abraham on which British and French troops battled. Quebec premier Jean Charest dismissed the letter, noting that Quebec superstar Celine Dion does not face criticism when she sings in various nations.

When interviewed by Radio-Canada on Thursday, the musician suggested that the protestors "smoke the pipes of peace and to just put away your hatchets" and indicated his appearance was a matter of friendship and good will. 

McCartney's performance is among numerous scheduled events marking Quebec City's 400th anniversary this year. Celine Dion is scheduled to perform at the Plains of Abraham next month.