Man of many passions

Charles Leblanc, a man of many passions, was born with an innate curiosity to understand the world around him. He viewed words and theatre as tools to grasp the human experience and illuminate diverse perspectives. Born in Montreal, Leblanc moved to Winnipeg after his divorce when his daughter Liliane Jègues was seven years old. Despite being an only child, Jègues grew up deeply connected to her father through their shared love of literature and the arts.

Throughout his life, Leblanc committed himself to the Winnipeg arts scene, founding the Winnipeg International Writers' Festival, establishing the French community radio station En’Vol, and serving as a key member of the Association of Translators, Terminologists, and Interpreters of Manitoba. His dedication to Manitoba's cultural landscape left an indelible mark on the community.

Jègues fondly remembers her father’s eccentric and loving nature, as well as his passion for reading, which she attributes to her mother, a teacher who instilled a love for learning when Jègues was just four years old. As an only child, Jègues often enjoyed accompanying her father to the theatre and spending time backstage during productions. He encouraged her to explore various forms of art and music, playing everything from the Rolling Stones to experimental rock bands like Mr. Bungle at home.

Jègues fondly remembers the countless Christmas visits to bookstores with her father, where he encouraged her to choose her own novels. Leblanc's love for words was rooted in his mother's influence, and he continued to cultivate this passion throughout his life. After a long career in translation, Leblanc found his true calling in theatre, becoming a poet, translator, actor, and radio host.

Leblanc's contributions to Manitoba's arts and literary scenes were vast, including the founding of the Manitoba Popular Theatre Alliance, which occasionally hosted festivals featuring prominent figures such as former Governor General Jeanne Sauvé. Graham, Leblanc's former theatre partner, recalls his deep commitment to social change and inequality, which permeated his work in theatre and beyond.

Throughout his life, Leblanc marched to a different drummer and had a keen understanding of theatre, always striving to expose others to new perspectives. He and Graham wrote plays together and cherished their time spent with their daughter. Leblanc's legacy continues to inspire those he touched, as his daughter Jègues strives to manage the immense collection of 10,000 books he left behind.