Canada's first cat museum launching with Montreal pop-up exhibition

"Cats have been paw-pular subjects in art from the Ancient Egyptians through to Leonardo da Vinci's detailed sketches of felines and Theophile Steinlen's iconic poster for Le Chat Noir Cabaret, but the cat museum is a relatively new phenomenon. Even so, there an impressive number of these single-purr-pose institutions, from the in Malaysia to the in Amsterdam and the . (And of course, the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg has its historic squad of feline guards.)"

"The brainchild of the cat-loving cultural entrepreneur Aqeela Nahani, the museum aims to showcase all things feline, celebrate "the bond between cats and humans" and support rescue cat charities. The institution's soft launch will feature a pop-up exhibition in the city's trendy Little Italy district next month, Miaoutréal: The History of Montreal's Cats (12-28 September). The show will chronicle Montreal's feline history, from the first cats' arrivals during the colonial era to their surreptitious presence during historical events, contemporary rescue efforts and more."

"The exhibition will comprise archival photographs of Montrealers and their cats, some dating back to the 1860s; a look at Montreal's first cat show in 1875; plus cat-themed events across the decades anda tribute to animal rescue organisations-including the Montreal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, founded in 1869."

Le Miaousée will open in Montreal as a museum dedicated to cats, celebrating the bond between cats and humans and supporting rescue charities. The museum was created by cultural entrepreneur Aqeela Nahani and will debut with a pop-up exhibition, Miaoutréal: The History of Montreal's Cats, running 12–28 September in Little Italy. The show will chronicle feline arrivals during the colonial era, their presence during historical events, and contemporary rescue efforts. The exhibition includes archival photographs dating to the 1860s, coverage of Montreal's first cat show in 1875, tributes to rescue organisations, and cat-inspired contemporary art.

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