A
group of French citizens traveled from France to the New World about 400 years
ago, landing in what is now northern New England and the Maritimes of Canada.
These French pioneers called their new home Acadia or Acadie.
They
built dykes to hold back the massive tides from the Bay of Fundy, and they
constructed forts, homes and churches. Because they were isolated in the
wilderness, they became good friends with the Micmac Native Americans and
developed a distinct identity. They became known as “Acadians.”
There
were constant wars between France and England in the New World, and the rich
land that the Acadians farmed passed back and forth between England and France.
In 1755, the English seized the farms of the peaceful Acadians, burned their
villages, put them on ships and sent them all over the world. This “Grand
Dérangement” lasted many years. When word that the Louisiana colony welcomed
the exiles, hundreds of Acadians came to Louisiana and started life anew.
We
celebrate Acadian — or Cajun — culture all year round in Lafayette and surrounding
areas but particularly during this time of year. Aug. 15 is the National Day of
the Acadians, corresponding with the Catholic feast of the Assumption.
Vermilionville
of Lafayette celebrates Acadian Culture Day, a free event of music, food and fun
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012, at the historic village. This
year’s event focuses on living cultures and activities planned include:
Cooking
demonstrations;
Boat
tours and canoeing;
Artist
demonstrations such as net making, bamboo fishing poles, bousillage bowls,
canning, quilting and old-time washing and clothesline hanging;
Games
and crafts for children including tintamarre noise makers, kites and Acadiana
flag making;
A
genealogy station by Acadian Memorial;
Dance
lessons with Cal and Lou Courville;
Sharing
circles on Cajun Women Across the Generations and Les Traiteurs;
Film
screenings of “Pie Day” by Drew Landry and “I Always Do My Collars First” by
Connie Castille; and
Music
in the Performance Center by The Huval-Fuselier Cajun Band followed by
Feufollet.
For a complete list of
activities, visit the calendar of events at vermilionville.org
or call (337) 233-4077 for more information.
The Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville will host a special program
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012. Special events include:
Table
Francais for French speakers from 10 a.m. to noon;
“From
Commission to Completion: Celebrating 20 years of the Mural” with muralist
Robert Dafford at 12:30 p.m. followed by Theatre Acadien reenactment
performances that bring the mural characters to life;
Film
presentation and booksigning by Ron Thibodeaux, author of “Hell or High Water:
How Cajun Fortitude Withstood Hurricanes Rita and Ike”;
Genealogy
workshops;
Children’s
scavenger hunt;
Family
Banner Procession; and
Feast
of the Assumption and French Mass at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church.
For
more information, contact info@acadianmemorial.org
or call (337) 394-2258.
Also
on the National Day of the Acadians — Aug. 15 — the Begnaud House in Scott will
be offering a ceremony honoring Acadian ancestors beginning at 6 p.m.
To
learn more about what is Acadian and Cajun, why we have our own flag and more,
visit http://www.lafayettetravel.com/essentials/culture/what-cajun.
