Speeches will compete with songs and protest this week as Quebec City officially kicks off celebrations to mark its 400th birthday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and French Prime Minister François Fillon will lead a delegation of politicians that will salute the July 3, 1608, arrival of explorer Samuel de Champlain, who founded what would become the provincial capital.

There will also be activities denouncing the federal government's high profile in the festivities, while a demonstration will be held to protest Canada's military mission in Afghanistan.

Thursday's protests aim to denounce the "militaristic propaganda" of a parade of more than 1,000 Royal 22nd Regiment soldiers through the streets of Quebec City at midday, activist Jaggi Singh said.

Quebec City police, backed up by provincial police and RCMP, will be out in force to maintain order.

Festivities will begin in the morning with speeches by politicians at the base of a statue of Champlain.

Dignitaries from several countries will attend.

Britain, which conquered New France after a brief battle on the Plains of Abraham in 1759, will be represented by High Commissioner Anthony Joyce Cary. U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins will be among American officials present.

Ireland, which contributed significantly to the settlement of the city, will be represented by a cabinet minister, as will Belgium.

Besides Fillon, former French prime ministers Jean-Pierre Raffarin and Alain Juppé will attend the event, as will several cabinet ministers and former presidential candidate Ségolène Royal.

Federal government accused of hijacking celebrations

The day will be capped off with a huge concert on the lawn of the provincial legislature.

Performers such as Diane Dufresne, Claude Dubois and Ariane Moffat will use song to pay tribute to the historic milestones experienced by the city.

A parallel – and more political – concert will be performed nearby with sovereigntist entertainers such as Luck Mervill celebrating the arrival of the French in North America.

Organizers of the parallel celebration have accused the federal government of hijacking Quebec City's 400th-anniversary events to promote federalism.

Parti Québécois Leader Pauline Marois is expected to attend the parallel event.

During the rest of the week, the city's streets will be teeming as people attend performances, family picnics and shows featuring clowns, percussionists and dancers.

Quebec City has basically devoted the entire year to marking its birthday. Events have been organized in France as well to mark the occasion, which has already seen tourists flock to exhibits in Quebec City and the arrival of several NATO warships in the city's harbour.

Music legend Sir Paul McCartney will also make his first visit to the city, on July 20, to give a free outdoor concert on the Plains of Abraham.

Céline Dion is scheduled to give a show at the same venue on Aug. 22, while the summit of la Francophonie — the French-speaking equivalent of the Commonwealth — will be held in the city in October.