A city of conversation and culture.
Discover carefully curated public lectures, author talks, debates and intellectual events in Montreal, Canada — selected by The Mindful City editorial team.
Last updated: August 17, 2026
Michael J. Sandel · Concordia University - York Amphitheatre · August 18, 2026
Philosopher Michael J. Sandel presents a public lecture on the moral limits of markets and the role of civic virtues in contemporary democracies. The talk will be followed by an au…
Esi Edugyan · Festival International de la Littérature (FIL) — Salle principale · August 18, 2026
Two-time Giller Prize finalist Esi Edugyan discusses place, history, and the craft of fiction with a festival moderator. The event includes excerpts and audience questions.
Roxane Gay · Festival International de la Littérature · August 18, 2026
Roxane Gay participates in a panel on contemporary memoir and the politics of selfhood, joined by emerging francophone authors. The panel examines form, ethics, and the pressures o…
Elizabeth Kolbert · Phi Centre · August 18, 2026
Pulitzer Prize–winner Elizabeth Kolbert discusses biodiversity loss and what it means for urban regions like Montreal. She will explore recent research and practical steps cities c…
David Suzuki · Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (Grande Bibliothèque) · August 18, 2026
Veteran environmentalist David Suzuki delivers a public lecture on resilient cities and climate policy in Canada. The talk is followed by a community discussion and resources on lo…
Eden Robinson · Paragraphe Bookstore · August 18, 2026
Eden Robinson reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses Indigenous storytelling forms and contemporary fiction. A post-reading signing and conversation with a local critic wil…
Steven Pinker · Concordia University — EV Building Auditorium · August 19, 2026
Steven Pinker presents evidence and argumentation about human progress, reason, and the role of Enlightenment values today. The talk will be followed by a discussion with Concordia…
David Suzuki · Concordia University — Webster Lecture Hall · August 19, 2026
Environmental scientist and activist David Suzuki outlines pragmatic strategies for community-level climate resilience and conservation. A student-led panel will follow to explore …
André Alexis · Paragraphe Bookstore · August 19, 2026
Governor General's Award–winning author André Alexis reads from his latest work and joins a conversation about narrative voice and the ethics of storytelling. A book signing will f…
Rawi Hage · Paragraphe Bookstore · August 20, 2026
Montreal-based novelist Rawi Hage reads from his latest book and discusses themes of exile, memory, and urban life. The intimate event concludes with a conversation and book-signin…
Kim Thúy · Paragraphe Bookstore · August 20, 2026
Kim Thúy reads from her latest novel and discusses themes of migration, memory, and language. The reading will be followed by a moderated Q&A and book signing.
Esi Edugyan · Paragraphe Bookstore (Saint-Laurent) · August 20, 2026
Award-winning novelist Esi Edugyan reads from her forthcoming novel and discusses craft, historical research, and structure. The evening will include a short Q&A and a signing afte…
Steven Pinker · McGill University — Department of Psychology (Redpath Hall) · August 20, 2026
Cognitive scientist Steven Pinker presents research on language, rationality, and how public discourse can be improved. The lecture is followed by an audience Q&A and will be open …
Michael Pollan · McGill University · August 20, 2026
Michael Pollan explores how our food choices shape public health, ecology, and culture, drawing on reporting from his latest research. The event is a free public lecture open to th…
Naomi Klein · Concordia University · August 20, 2026
Naomi Klein explores the role of municipal policy and grassroots movements in shaping climate justice strategies. She draws on recent research and case studies to argue for systemi…
Atul Gawande · McGill University — McIntyre Medical Building, Auditorium A · August 20, 2026
Surgeon and public-health thinker Atul Gawande examines ethical dilemmas in modern medicine and the challenges of system-level improvement. The talk will be followed by discussion …
David Suzuki · McGill University — Schulich School of Music (public lecture) · August 20, 2026
David Suzuki will outline the latest scientific findings on climate change and discuss practical policy pathways for Canadian cities. The talk includes a moderated Q&A focused on c…
Rawi Hage · Paragraphe Bookstore · August 20, 2026
Rawi Hage reads from his latest novel and discusses the role of place and memory in contemporary fiction. A moderated Q&A will follow, with time for book-signing after the event.
Margaret Atwood · Blue Metropolis International Literary Festival · August 20, 2026
Margaret Atwood discusses her latest work and the role of speculative fiction in contemporary society. The session will include a moderated conversation and audience Q&A.
Naomi Klein · McGill University — Public Lecture Series · August 20, 2026
Naomi Klein discusses the intersection of climate policy, social movements, and economic change in a public lecture drawing on her recent research. The session will include a moder…