SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — One year from now Acadians from across the globe will descend on P.E.I. in a celebration of heritage, reunion and community.
The Congrès Mondial Acadien 2019, an international gathering of Acadians, will take place from Aug. 10 to 24 next year in eight Island locations, as well as 12 sites in New Brunswick.
“Due to our history and the Acadian Expulsion, we were separated. But people are so excited to come together again and celebrate our history,” said Claudette Theriault, president of the Congrès, which will mark its 25th anniversary next year.
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“We are very proud to have the city of Summerside among the host municipalities. [The] host communities will be featured with their own programming, along with concerts, family reunions, themed conferences, activities for youth and contemporary artistic disciplines.”
Recently, Theriault returned from a trip to France to advance the Congrès and to participate in other Acadian festivals.
“We did a lot of social media. I was part of several presentations in four different regions in France. There was really a buzz about the conference. People are very interested in coming to the grounds of their Acadian ancestors. It’s a dream come true for some.”
Theriault guesses that the family reunion component of the Congrès will draw about 30,000 people.
Jenny Richard, an Island volunteer with the Congrès, says the event holds a special place in her heart.
“I grew up in a small Acadian community with my whole family nearby who are also Acadian. I grew up on the food and lived with the music, so I like to celebrate my heritage. I’m really looking forward to seeing the family reunions take place.
“It’s a special event because I’ve found that a lot of people, who aren’t familiar with P.E.I., don’t realize we have this culture present in our communities,” said Richard.
Father Eddie Cormier also recognizes it as an important celebration.
“The Acadian Expulsion was a major upheaval. It sent us everywhere. We’re recognizing that there are Acadians in France, in P.E.I., in Louisiana, all over the globe. And like all of the other [Congrès], it allows us to participate in a number of different ways. It’s very important to the local area of Acadians,” said Cormier.
Marie Arsenault agreed.
“It really creates a spirit of unity as Acadians. It also strengthens our desire to really promote the appreciation of our culture. Our history has helped with our sense of identity,” she said. Then she quoted a line from a song by her well known Acadian songwriter sister, Angèle Arsenault.
“Our history has helped us grow… Notre histoire nous a grandis.”
@JPMillicentMcK
