Grand-Pré’s Acadian Days celebrate heritage while honouring the past

Acadian Days, a free, celebration of Acadian culture, was held July 10-12 at he Grand-Pré National Historic Site.

Visitors to the Grand-Pré National Historic Site July 10-12 may have noticed a few more French conversations. Acadian Days, the annual, free, celebration of Acadian culture, drew people from across the Maritimes. “It’s a yearly rendezvous,” said Claude Boudreau, the general director of La Société Promotion Grand-Pré, which hosts the event.

“There are Acadian festivals where they’re in Acadian communities, but here in Grand Pré, it’s one of the only Acadian festivals in the area.” Related New book provides window into Acadian deportation Three Nova Scotians recognized Lieutenant-Governor’s Award of Excellence for l’Acadie and Francophonie HISTORICALLY SPEAKING WITH ED COLEMAN: Plenty of lore surrounds Acadian houses and mills IN PHOTOS: West Hants honours Acadian history at Fort Edward Acadians' courage, resilience honoured with new monument ‘Resilience, innovation, and diplomacy’:

Louis Hébert celebrated for his iconic place in history National Day of Remembrance of the Great Upheaval marked for first time in Annapolis Royal, N.S. The non-profit society’s mission is to promote Grand-Pré “as a symbolic and authentic site of the deportations of the Acadian people on a national and international scale.” The organization was formed in 1997.

“To me, it’s for the people to enjoy the culture and to learn about Acadian music and culture, and eat food, and speak a bit of Français,” Boudreau said, smiling. He said it also helps English speakers practise French. The organization has been hosting Acadian Days on and off since its inception.

Boudreau said there was a brief hiatus leading up to the pandemic, but it’s been thoroughly enjoyed since it was revived. “After the pandemic, we brought it back because people wanted to be together again outside. It’s been a great success.”

Between 1682 and 1755, Acadians lived on and farmed the area that’s now part of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. They were expelled by the British during the Great Upheaval. Now, the picturesque property serves as permanent way to remember the Acadian culture and what happened during the French and Indian War.

Boudreau said the purpose of Acadian Days is threefold. “One, of course, is it’s an invitation to any Acadian or anybody who has Acadian blood or descendants to come. It’s an excuse to come to Grand Pré every year,” he said.

“Then it’s also to share the Acadian culture with the tourists that are in the area.” And thirdly, it’s to welcome the local community. He said the events on Sunday help draw nearby residents for a communal celebration.

“So basically, it’s to get people to come and appreciate Acadian culture and enjoy a beautiful weekend at an extraordinary site.” The Acadian Days celebration kicked off with wine, cheese, and live music on July 10. Music was provided by Le Maudit Français (Nicolas Jean).

July 11 was a family day and featured music, activities, and conferences. Hughie Batherson and Anne Godin both presented in the morning, and there was a viewing of the Great Upheaval documentary. Following a free lunch, there was Acadian music by Pieds à

Terre and a danse callée, which is similar to a square dance. “That was a hit last year, because no matter which language you are, you can dance – and it’s fun,” said Anika Lirette, La Société Promotion Grand-Pré’s artistic director and co-organizer of the event. The day concluded with a viewing of a French documentary on two lesser-known Acadian communities in Nova-Scotia.

July 12 was the festival’s community day. It featured a Circus Suitcase Experience for children by Danse en l’Air. That was followed by CRI de Terre, presentations by six artists in residence who had spent the three-day festival writing and being inspired by the Acadian culture.

Lirette was excited to have two French bluegrass performances for the final day. Singer-songwriter Vickie Deveau, accompanied by Melissa Comeau (mandolin), Charles Robicheau (lead guitar), and Nick Maclean (violin), performed in the morning, and Paul Hébert, who is nicknamed the king of bluegrass in Acadia, performed in the afternoon. Lirette said the society aims to hold the event the second weekend in July and hopes people will pop by next year as it’s a great way to be immersed in the Acadian culture, “to hear the language, to discover Acadian or French artists.”

She said it’s a one-of-a-kind experience. UPCOMING EVENTS Last year, La Société Promotion Grand-Pré took over ownership of the Sainte-Famille Cemetery in Falmouth after Les Amis de Grand-Pré disbanded. The cemetery, which was discovered 30 years ago by a developer, is a sacred site for Acadians as there are about 300 people buried in unmarked graves.

Boudreau said the society will be hosting a sombre service at the site. “July 28 is the international commemoration day (for the Great Upheaval). So, it’s not a party,” Boudreau said.

“We’re launching a new little play, a monologue, 15 minutes, by an actress who’s written a little play about Windsor and Falmouth.” Before the expulsion of Acadians, many lived in the region that they called Pigiguit. The monologue shares that name.

“So it’ll be the international debut for the Pigiguit monologue, plus this year marks the 30th anniversary of the finding of that cemetery,” Boudreau said, noting the event will be bilingual. “At 17 hours, 55 minutes, we ring bells in memory of our ancestors and of the deportation of 1755.” The event runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend.

On Aug. 15, the Grand-Pré National Historic Site will play host to National Acadian Day. There will be entertainment, music, and tintamarre – the Acadian tradition of marching through the community making noise with improvised instruments. The event is put on in collaboration with La Société Promotion Grand-Pré, Parks Canada and the Government of Canada.

If you go Grand-Pré National Historic Site What: A picturesque location that commemorates the Grand-Pré area, which was a centre of Acadian settlement from 1682 to 1755, and the Great Upheaval, which saw the deportation of Acadians during the French and Indian War. There are formal gardens, various statues and monuments, and a church featuring a giant stained-glass window depicting the deportation.

Where: 2205 Grand-Pre Rd., Grand Pré. When: Seasonally, from mid-May to mid-October; open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: With the Canada Strong Pass back for a second season, there is free admission until Sept. 7.

More information: grandpre.ca/ ,