Renowned poet Olivier Marchand, stalwart of the Hexagon collective, succumbs to life's end.
Olivier Marchand: A Pioneer in Quebec Poetry
Olivier Marchand, a renowned figure in Quebec literature, shared his lifelong commitment to poetry until an advanced age. Born on March 31, 1928, in Montreal, Marchand's journey in poetry began during his school years at the Christian Brothers' Schools and Mont-Saint-Louis boarding school between 1940 and 1947.
In the early 1950s, Marchand formed a close friendship with Gaston Miron, an influential figure in Quebec literature, which significantly shaped his literary path. Together, they co-founded the publishing house L'Hexagone in 1953, alongside notable figures such as Jean-Claude Rinfret, Gilles Carle, and Louis Portugais.
L'Hexagone became synonymous with new literary perspectives in Quebec, playing an important role in promoting Quebec poetry and literature. This publishing house marked Marchand as a significant contributor to the development of Quebec poetry during that period. Two Bloods (1953), the inaugural collection of L'Hexagone, featured poems by Marchand and Miron.
L'Hexagone became an influential platform for Quebec poets and helped shape the cultural and literary identity of Quebec by supporting local writers and poets. Marchand's involvement in this founding reflects his significance in nurturing the Quebec poetry scene in the mid-20th century.
Throughout his career, Marchand continued publishing poetry, with a recent publication being Our Bloods as a River (2019). He also continued participating in literary events at an advanced age. His role as co-founder of this foundational publisher places him as an important figure in Quebec literary history, even though there is limited detailed biographical information available on his individual poetic work.
Marchand's legacy lives on, as L'Hexagone continues to promote and support Quebec literature, carrying forward the new literary perspectives that Marchand helped establish over six decades ago.
In his later years, Olivier Marchand's lifelong commitment to poetry extended beyond the realm of literature, as he advocated for justice in various lifestyle aspects, including fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and travel, showcasing a broader perspective. Years after the inception of L'Hexagone, one could find Olivier Marchand tastefully expressing his beliefs at a trendy fashion-and-beauty event, savoring flavorsome food-and-drink offerings, or sharing travel experiences that inspired fresh poetic creations.
