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2009

Letter from the Curator

Congrés Mondial Acadien (World Wide Congress of Acadians)

St. Martinville ~ Since 1994, every 5 years the Acadians of the world meet at different locations in North America to celebrate, connect and renew their commitment to the preservation of their heritage and culture. This world wide Acadian reunion is called Congrès Mondial Acadien. The next gathering of Acadians will be held in 2009 on August 6th through the 23rd in the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick, Canada. That is only 92 days from now!

Have you decided if you will travel to the northern most part of the province of New Brunswick to meet your Acadian cousins from around the world? Gather all the latest information on the web site and if at all possible, make an effort to be a part of a giant meeting of Acadians. (www.CMA2009.ca) You will never be the same, I promise you that! It has made a major impact on the renaissance movement of the nation of people called "les Acadiens du Monde" (the Acadians of the World).

I would like to share my personal experience after attending the 2004 Congrés held in Nova Scotia five years ago. I brought back many memories but there was one treasured moment I will remember forever! As Curator Director of the Acadian Memorial, I was given the honored opportunity to plan and assist with an event called "Cajun Day " held at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site in Nova Scotia of which St. Martinville's Evangeline Oak Park is twinned. To stand on the land of my Acadian ancestors for the twinning reconnection was surreal and emotional. The ceremony was a showcase of the importance of our relationship and opened the day for personal encounters between Acadians and Cajuns.

From Louisiana we brought Cajun food by Chef Roy, Cajun music by "The New Pine Grove Boys", Cajun & Creole dancing styles, lectures from Warren Perrin on the Queen's apology and Christy Maraist, past A.M. Foundation President on growing up Cajun in Louisiana. You could hear the excited conversations as Cajuns reunited with Acadians! These events created a memorable day for more than 3,000 people in attendance.

At the close of the day, I facilitated an event called "If the Willows Could Speak". The perfect place to reflect was behind the St. Charles Church replica near the 250+ year old willows planted by the Acadians before the deportation.

Cajun fiddlers played soulful music as participants stood under the willows on soil that belonged to their ancestors. Knowing that they were breathing the same air, looking at the same sky, and standing on the very soil they tilled, the Acadian group expressed feelings and emotions about their experiences of attending the Congrès reunion. As tears fell, Cajuns /Acadians told about the joy of meeting after many years and many miles of separation. It was remarkable that many shared a sense of instant connections; a "deja vu". Expressions of sadness over the deportation story, gave the group an opportunity to heal. All became silent, ending the shared moments with fiddlers playing a joyful jig for the Acadians and Cajuns to dance on such a sacred site. It was undeniably a spiritual moment in time!

Journalist observing from Canada, USA, and France were exceptionally impressed with this "Willow" grounds gathering. A New York Times reporter, Clifford Krauss promised a wonderful article to tribute our heritage. He titled it, "Evangeline People Gather and Weep for Ancestors Fate". Read a few of his words to describe the Acadian/Cajun gathering:

"They came in motor homes, buses and planes from as far away as Baton Rouge and Brussels, tens of thousands of them, to sing and dance and enjoy the same summer Nova Scotia breezes as their ancestors who settled the French colony of Acadie in the early 17th century and were removed in 1755.

"The land here was taken from my ancestors and now I have to pay for parking on land that could have been mine," Donald Landry, 51, from Dieppe, New Brunswick, told a group gathered under some willow trees while two fiddlers took a break from playing old Cajun songs about loneliness and unrequited love on the bayou. "We shouldn't forget that that's history that we didn't know about for a long time," he added with a trembling smile.

Acadians from around the world came to visit the cradle of Acadie during Congrès Mondial Acadien and it became the scene of reflection and unexpected tears."

For the next Congrés 2009, I am calling on all Cajuns of Louisiana to experience this reunion celebration and create their own treasured moments on the land of Acadians who settled in New Brunswick, Canada in the Acadian Peninsula, before and after the deportation in 1755. Be a part of making connections with northern Acadain cousins this summer.

Congrés 2014 in Louisiana? Maybe! A new organization, Louisiane-Acadie, was established to make connections with Acadians around the world. On of the main goals is to attempt to garner the World Wide Congress in Louisiana in 2014. According to president, Ray Trahan, "We may see the Congrès in the heartland of Acadiana at Lafayette and vicinity. Those who applied with us are two other areas in Canada and the announcement of who wins the bid will be made on August 9th, 2009 at the Congrés. If we win, it will be a pleasure to send out an invitation to the Acadians of the world to come to our beloved scared Cajun land in 2014!"

To show your support for the 2014 Congrés bid application please sign your name on the web site, www.cma2014.com

Impassioned by Acadian history,

Brenda Comeaux Trahan

Curator/Director of the Acadian Memorial & Museum of the A.M.

You Are Cordially Invited

Acadian Memorial Foundation's Annual Membership Meeting

Election / Installation of Officers & New Board Members

Tuesday, June 16, 2009 - 6:00 PM

Acadian Memorial Hall / Meditation Garden

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Project "Tiles That Bind" ~ Unveiling & Blessing

Bernard, Dupuis, Guédry, Roy & Theriot

Family Coats of Arms

Meditation Garden

The Right Reverend Monsignor Douglas Courville Presiding

Extent the invitation to family members & Acadian Family Organizations.

March 20 & 21, 2009: Acadian Memorial Festival

Friday March 20, 2009

Acadian Memorial Festival Kick-Off

La Promenade on St. Martinville’s Historic Downtown District

Host Historic Building: La Maison De Tours

(Thanks to Dale Mouton)

5:00 p.m. ~ Downtown Comes Alive with a fun evening schedule!!!

Reception on the back patio (pending weather)

5:00 p.m. ~ Crawfish will be served ($20 tickets purchased in advance 337. 288.2681 or 394.2258)

5:30 p.m. ~ James Akers, self-taught expert on history of St. Martinville and the St. Martin de Tours Church will share his knowledge on the story of the church and city ; afterwards, he’ll give an outdoor tour of the church square: monuments, statutes, old cemetery, buildings (Petit Paris museum, priest home, and church). Flexible tour.

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ~ Historic buildings open with a showcase of local and international art exhibits. Pay a visit, meet the artist and learn about the historic buildings.

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ~ Cajun Music by Al Berard Family Trio

8:30 p.m. ~ TECHE THEATER ~ Al Berard Family Band Live CD Recording and Video Taping. Be a part of the film, and dance the night away!!!! $6 cover charge.

*Restaurants to Open Downtown: Cafe Oaks, Petit Paris Cafe, and La Maison Restaurant & Alligator Bar

See Schedule of Events Poster for March 21st Events

Note: Volunteers Needed - see Below!

FESTIVAL DU MONUMENT ACADIEN
121, rue du Nouveau Marché sud
SAINT-MARTINVILLE, LA 70508
Contacte: Brenda Comeaux Trahan, 337.394.2258 or 2233
www.acadianmemorial.org
info@acadianmemorial.org

Communiqué de Presse: Pour diffusion immédiate: du 30 janvier au 21 mars
Merci pour la publicité

Le vendredi 20 mars, de 17h00 à 20h00 ~ Le Festival du Monument Acadien débute avec une Promenade à travers le centre historique de Saint-Martin ~ La procession comprendra une tournée des différents commerces du centre-ville, des visites de l'Église Saint-Martin de Tours, puis finira par un tour du Monument Acadien. Là, il y aura de la musique, du manger cadien, et un rassemblement des membres de l'Ordre du Bon Temps. Cet événement vous est amené par le Bureau de Tourisme de la Ville de Saint-Martin, par le Monument Acadien, par le Centre du Patrimoine culturel. a

Le samedi 21 mars, de 10h00 à 16h00 ~ Le Festival du Monument Acadien, présente une exposition des traditions cadiennes à l'aide des activités culturelles suivantes : des pièces de théâtre, de la musique louisianaise, des danses folkloriques, des démonstrations et dégustations de cuisine cadienne, des discussions généalogiques, une exposition d'embarcations traditionnelles en bois, une reconstitution de l'arrivée des Acadiens par le Bayou Tèche en honneur des familles Thibodeaux, Dugas, Comeaux, and Richard, ateliers et conférences pour les adultes et les enfants.

On a besoin de volontaires. Pour plus d'informations téléphonez à Brenda Comeaux Trahan et Maegan Berard @ 337.394.2258

PRESS RELEASE:

City of St. Martinville / Acadian Memorial

CONTACT: Brenda Comeaux Trahan ~ 337.394.2258

Subject: Volunteers Needed

St. Martinville ~ The Acadian Memorial Museum Style Festival, to be held on Saturday, March 21st is in great need of volunteers.

Help support the museum style program to showcase Cajun heritage, culture, traditions and a reenactment of the Acadians’ arrival on the Bayou Teche. We ask support of Acadian/Cajun families and organizations who want to help make the event a success.

We call on ULL and high school students who belong to service clubs, church groups, Girl and Boy Scouts, and all organizations to give a hand for short periods of time while enjoying Cajun music, demonstrations, tasting of delicious Cajun food, educational lectures, theatre, a Canadian art exhibit, and more.

To volunteer or for more information email at info@acadianmemorial.org or call 394.2258.

February 13, 2009: Romance Under the Evangeline Oak

Valentine Romance for Couples

Join the City of St. Martinville, Acadian Memorial, and Cultural Heritage Center for a celebration at the most romantic and most photographed oak tree in the world.

On the eve of Valentine's Day, February 13, 2009 at 6:00 p.m., Longfellow's poem, "Evangeline" and the romance behind it will be part of a tribute to all couples who were married or engaged under the famous oak tree in St. Martinville. Many marriage proposals and weddings occurred under the boughs of this famous and magnificent oak tree situated along the Bayou Teche. Some of these couples will tell about their reason for coming to this romantic town and famous tree to keep a most precious memory of their marriage and proposal.

Peggy Hulin with Old Castillo Hotel: La Place du Evangeline, ( 220 Evangeline Blvd, St. Martinville 337.394.4010 ) will host the event and the city of St. Martinville invites all couples to be a part of this annual romantic celebration. Come enjoy a Valentine romance "Cajun Style" then dine in our historic city. A special Valentine meal is offered at La Masion on Bridge Street. Call (337)342-2990 to make reservations.

Enjoy a reception with music, door prizes, lecture on Longfellow's "Evangeline" and the influence this story has on romance for couples and the history of the Acadian/Cajuns. Come spend the afternoon in St.Martinville and catch the 1929 film of "Evangeline" shown at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. at the Acadian Memorial Conference Room (121 South New Market~ 337.394.2258). Free and open to the public.

Evangeline Oak

Calling All Interested Adults To French Language Studies At the Acadian Memorial - Begins February 4, 2009

St.Martinville - Fun French classes for adults at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, Louisiana will be held on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting February 4. Course content and method will be determined by the needs and interests of the students. Instructor Jolene Adam can help you learn French from South Louisiana and different parts of the world. The fee is $54 for the first six week session. For more information and to register call 337-344-2584

Un cours de français pour adulte au Monument Acadien à St Martin va se passer le mercredi soir à 6:30 commençant le 4 février. Le contenu et la méthode vont se déterminer par rapport aux besoins des étudiants et leurs intérêts. La maîtresse, Jolène Adam, peut vous aider à apprendre le français du Sud de la Louisiane ou des autres pays du monde. Le prix est $54 pour la première session de 6 semaines. Appelle le 337-344-2584 pour plus d’informations.

Part-Time Job Opportunity

PRESS RELEASE

CITY OF ST MARTINVILLE
121 SOUTH NEW MARKET

CONTACT: BRENDA COMEAUX TRAHAN,
Director of St. Martinville Department of Tourism
337.394.2258 / info@acadianmemorial.org

St.Martinville, LA - The historic city of St. Martinville is seeking a part-time Museum Tour Guide for the Department of Tourism. The right person must enjoy history and love greeting and meeting people from around the world as well as have a friendly and cooperative personality with a willingness to learn new things.

Part of this fun and interesting job involves the following criteria:

1. Some knowledge of the history of the French, Acadians and African Americans who settled in St.Martinville.
2. Some skills in speaking and understanding French
3. Must work part-time every other week, Saturday to Friday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

To learn more about the historic city of St.Martinville and the Acadian Memorial, African American and Acadian Museums, housed in the St.Martinville Cultural Heritage Center please view the web-site at stmartinville.org and acadianmemorial.org

Pick up an application at St.Martinville's City Hall on 120 South New Market (394.2230) and return to the Acadian Memorial on 121 South New Market. For more information call 337.394.2258.