As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations on Feb. 14, Artistes pour la paix (APLP) paid tribute to its two co-founders, Quebec singer-songwriters Gilles Vigneault and Raôul Duguay, whose 1983 rally marked the creation of the country’s oldest pacifist movement.

Each year on Valentine’s Day since 1988, APLP honours an artist or group actively involved in the peace movement. Their choice for 2009 was the Action terroriste socialement acceptable (ATSA) cofounders Annie Roy and Pierre Allard. The singer-songwriter Ève Cournoyer performed two of her songs in their honour at the special presentation ceremony that was held in Montreal’s Chapelle historique du Bon-Pasteur.

Over the years, creators from all disciplines have been named Artist for Peace of the Year. Last year’s recipient was the socially engaged singer-songwriter Dan Bigras.