Steve Barakatt

COURAGE | The Official Anthem of the 2027 Canada Games

Earlier today, I had the honour of being warmly welcomed by Pierre Picard, Grand Chief of the Wendat Nation, at his office in Wendake, to discuss the importance of involving Wendat artists in the creation of COURAGE.

A meaningful conversation on the importance of creating a strong national initiative that brings together artists from all regions and communities of Canada.

Looking forward to the journey ahead!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STEVE BARAKATT TO COMPOSE AND PRODUCE THE OFFICIAL ANTHEM OF THE 2027 CANADA GAMES

The internationally acclaimed Canadian composer and pianist will create a powerful musical signature featuring musicians from across the country

QUÉBEC CITY, August 6, 2026 — The 2027 Canada Games Host Society is proud to announce that Canadian composer, pianist, producer and creative director Steve Barakatt, C.Q., will compose and produce COURAGE, the Official Anthem of the 2027 Canada Games. Taking place in Québec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027, the Games will mark their 60th anniversary by returning to the city where the inaugural Canada Games were held in 1967.

Conceived as an uplifting and powerful musical signature, COURAGE will embody the perseverance, excellence, inclusion, unity and achievement demonstrated by Canada Games athletes. The anthem will celebrate the power of sport and music to bring people together across languages, cultures, provinces and territories. Its recording will feature musicians from across the country, reflecting the national spirit of the Canada Games.

“The 2027 Canada Games will be a defining celebration for Québec City as we welcome the country back to the birthplace of the Games. With deep roots in our city and a musical career of global reach, Steve Barakatt brings a unique dimension to this historic collaboration. COURAGE will carry the spirit of the Games to athletes, visitors and Canadians across the country, while giving this edition a distinctive and lasting musical identity.”

— Marie-Hélène St-Onge, Chief Executive Officer, 2027 Canada Games Host Society

The creation of COURAGE will form an important part of the cultural legacy of the 2027 Canada Games, offering athletes, coaches, volunteers and audiences a shared musical expression of the values at the heart of the event.

“Like sport, music has an extraordinary power to unite people and shape the emotional journey of an event, building anticipation before the competition begins and creating memories that endure long after it has ended. Steve Barakatt’s distinguished body of work, spanning landmark global cultural and humanitarian projects, makes him an outstanding choice to compose the anthem for this historic edition of the Canada Games. We look forward to hearing COURAGE inspire athletes, coaches, volunteers and Canadians across the country.”

— Kelly-Ann Paul, President and CEO, Canada Games Council

Throughout his career, Barakatt has created official anthems and musical identities for prominent international, national and cultural organizations. His works include Lullaby, The UNICEF Anthem; Devenir, the Official Anthem of the Ordre national du Québec; Motherland and Jeonju Rhapsody.

“Composing and producing the Official Anthem of the 2027 Canada Games is a profound honour. As the Games return to Québec City, where they began 60 years ago, my ambition is for COURAGE to capture the determination of the athletes, the energy of the Games and the strength that comes from bringing Canadians together.”

— Steve Barakatt, C.Q., composer and producer of COURAGE

COURAGE will be composed and produced over the coming months and released globally by Universal Music. Details about the participating artists, recording process and official premiere will be announced at a later date.

About the 2027 Canada Games

The Canada Games are the largest multi-sport competition in the country, bringing together more than 3,500 high-calibre athletes and coaches in 22 sports. Held every two years, alternating between summer and winter, the Games celebrate perseverance and the sporting spirit of young Canadian athletes. The 2027 Canada Winter Games will take place in Quebec City from February 27 to March 14, 2027, marking the return of the event to the city where it all began 60 years ago.

This project is made possible through the support of the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, and the City of Quebec.

About Steve Barakatt

For more than three decades, Steve Barakatt, C.Q., has built an international career as a composer, pianist, producer and creative director. He has given more than 500 live performances across five continents and reached global audiences through a body of work spanning official anthems, symphonic works, cinematic themes and lyrical piano compositions. His music has generated more than 350 million views on YouTube, while his compositions have been featured in major international broadcasts, including coverage of the FIFA World Cup and Formula 1.

Recognized for his distinctive artistic signature and his commitment to creating music with meaning, Barakatt is the composer of Lullaby, The UNICEF Anthem—premiered across five continents and aboard the International Space Station in 2009 — as well as Devenir, the Official Anthem of the Ordre national du Québec; Motherland; and many other works. He is a Universal Music MENA artist, and his music publishing catalogue is represented worldwide by Universal Music Publishing Group. In 2021, he was named a Knight of the Ordre national du Québec, Québec’s highest distinction. In 2024, he received the Medal of Québec City, becoming only the second artist from the music world, after Céline Dion, to receive the honour.

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Information and Interviews

Regarding Steve Barakatt's musical involvement:

Asar Qadir
Strategic Partnerships
Rainbow Bridge Story Ltd.
[email protected]
+1-437-286-2069

Regarding the 2027 Canada Games:

Wendy Whittom
Communications and Events Director
Société hôtesse des Jeux du Canada 2027
[email protected]
+1-367-977-7990

Rest in peace, Oliver Jones. Thank you for your extraordinary contribution to music and for the inspiration you shared with generations.

Welcome to Quebec City Michael Bublé !

Thank You Qatar! Here I Am Egypt ! Stay tuned !

Celebrating Canada in Qatar!

Yesterday in Doha, I had the honour of meeting with His Excellency Karim Morcos, Ambassador of Canada to the State of Qatar, to discuss future music initiatives explored with several stakeholders during my visit to Qatar, in collaboration with Invest Qatar.

Following Canada’s historic FIFA World Cup victory, it was especially meaningful to share this moment of national pride while looking ahead to new opportunities for cultural collaboration, especially during this special Canada–Qatar–Mexico Year of Culture.

Today, I am grateful to share that my music catalogue has reached 350 million views on YouTube.

Beyond the number itself, this milestone represents a journey where music has found its place in concert halls, films, television, official anthems, international events, and in the everyday lives of millions of people around the world through one of the world's most influential platforms, reaching audiences across more than 100 countries and territories.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has listened, shared, collaborated, and been part of this journey.

Your connection to my music continues to inspire me to create meaningful initiatives that connect people across cultures and generations.

The journey continues.

With gratitude,

Steve Barakatt, C.Q.

En cette Fête nationale du Québec, je souhaite rendre hommage à cette terre de culture, de mémoire et d’avenir qui a profondément façonné mon parcours.

Le Québec porte en lui une force unique : celle de créer, de rêver et de devenir.

C’est dans cet esprit que j’ai composé Devenir, l’hymne officiel de l’Ordre national du Québec, une œuvre dédiée à celles et ceux qui contribuent, par leur vision et leur engagement, au rayonnement du Québec.

Bonne Fête nationale à toutes les Québécoises et à tous les Québécois.

Steve Barakatt, C.Q.

Ordre national du Québec

Devenir - L'Hymne officiel de l'Ordre national du Québec Inspiré par le majestueux fleuve Saint-Laurent, l’hymne officiel de...

From June 23 to June 26, I will be visiting Qatar for a series of conversations with institutions and stakeholders connected to the country’s music and creative landscape. I look forward to exchanging ideas around a future initiative where music, culture, education, technology, and international collaboration align with Qatar’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. Stay tuned.