Hanna
Barczyk

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I was born in Saulgau, the south of Germany, but immigrated with my mother and twin sister to Canada in my teen years and have been living in North America most of my life. I lived in Toronto for a long time before moving to NYC where I lived for five years.

In 2019 I moved to Montreal, Quebec where I currently reside with my husband, my stepson, and Tofu, our cat. As an artist and illustrator, I work out of a studio apartment that is a five-minute walk from our home. We live on the Plateau which is considered one of Montreal’s most charming neighborhoods.

Do you have a favourite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

When I feel like relaxing, I have a few go-to spots in my local area —coffee shops and bookstores. I enjoy catching up with friends or getting lost in a good book at my favorite coffee shop, Replika, which is also the place where I got married. Or I visit the Mile-End neighborhood and go to Olimpico Cafe with a visit to Drawn & Quarterly bookstore. There are a few fantastic bookstores near our home as well: De Still, for example, with a terrific curation and friendly staff. Close to my studio are two more great bookstores, Librairie Le Port de tête, one specializing in graphic novels—a genre I’ve recently started exploring and enjoying.

Montreal is a pedestrian-friendly city, and we have our Mount Royal (Mountain) that is accessible to walk to when I want to unwind and take a longer walk. During spring and summer, I bike to the nearest park either Jeanne-Mance or Laurier and find a reading spot there.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Currently, the most pressing issues in Canada are the housing, mental health and climate crisis. Housing is scarce, especially in major cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The escalating prices of homes and rents have made it difficult for most people to afford living there, which has increased the overall cost of living and affected most Canadians.

Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, there has been a wider conversation around social isolation and mental health. And I believe that Canada has been affected with an increase in mental health issues such as loneliness, leading to depression and anxiety.

Additionally, we have recently faced wildfires, which have been happening in other parts of the country with vast forest areas. However, the situation last year was different, and the fires were affecting our cities. The sky was orange and red, and the air was filled with a smoky haze, which was a cause of concern for everyone.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years —and what has not?

In the past five years, there has been an overall increase in social awareness from around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has also demonstrated the importance of being part of being part of a community and the significance of togetherness.

Regarding technology, I have a pessimistic view and believe that it is changing our culture for the worse. I suspect that there is too much importance placed on an online presence, especially for artists becoming more like brands rather than artists working for themselves.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

For food, there are two markets to eat at here: Atwater and Jean-Talon markets, that provide organic, locally sourced food. Montreal is also known for its bagel shops, such as St. Viateur or Fairmount Bagels.

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

In my region, I have noticed that Maple Syrup is used more often than in any other province in Canada.

Montreal is a hub for innovation in the arts, music, film, and documentary scenes, as well as for theatre. For instance, Montreal hosts a mural festival every summer that was created by MURAL and LNDMRK. This festival brings together art and music and nurtures a sense of community.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

My favorite restaurant to visit is L’Express. While most people are familiar with Schwartz, which is owned by Canadian singer Celine Dion and is known for its smoked meat, the wait times can be very long, and it’s filled with tourists on weekends. Personally, I prefer L’Express for a good steak accompanied by a bold red wine.

Is there a local shop whose products are only available in your region?

Retail stores that are special to Montreal is probably the department stores Simons, Frank And Oak (clothing shop) or Kanuk (specializing in winter jackets).

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

I mainly use:

– NYT
– The New Yorker
– Duolingo

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

I read The New York Times daily, browse through various other newspapers like The Atlantic, and browse the Arts & Letters Daily blog. I am subscribed to a few newsletters, like Roxanne Gay, which helps me stay informed about social, and cultural issues.

Additionally, I have a subscription to The New Yorker. I also listen to podcasts like Ezra Klein from the NYT and when I want to hear long conversations I tune into Alles Gesagt from Zeit Online.

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

If I were the mayor of Montreal, I would prioritize the creation of accessible housing. I would encourage more people to use public transportation by making the metro free on weekends and after midnight. Additionally, I would repurpose old abandoned buildings into art and cultural spaces, and create more artist studios to promote creativity and culture in the city. I would eliminate the tipping culture in restaurants and ensure that servers and kitchen staff are paid fairly. Ideally, I would strive to eliminate poverty and mental health crises as well.

Lastly, I would hire a design team to redesign the parking signs and make them more comprehensible.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I love Canada. Ideally, with no financial constraints, I would want to live three or four months of the year, during the winter months, somewhere outside, either Los Angeles or anywhere warm.