National Acadian Day
Canadians celebrate National Acadian Day because their origins are not as simple as many people may believe. Canada was once divided into two colonies, one of which was in the Acadian region. This explains why there are parts of Canada where French is commonly spoken. To take a deeper look at this day, which falls on August 15th, we have summarized the events below.
What Is National Acadian Day?
This day celebrates the history of the Acadians. They settled in what is now Nova Scotia in 1605, becoming the first permanent European settlement in North America. It was over a hundred years later that thousands of Acadians were forced to leave their homes and settle elsewhere as part of the Great Upheaval. The Acadians had their own French dialect, which is unique to them and is still spoken in small districts.
After they left, many Acadians never returned, but some did. National Acadian Day was declared a national day in 1881 and officially recognized by Queen Elizabeth II in 2003. Nowadays, Acadians mostly live in certain districts such as Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick. There are also populations in Quebec and some US states.
The British conquered Acadia in 1710, a time when many fled. A large portion was reported afterward, many settling in Louisiana, where many can be found living today. After enduring many challenges over the years, their culture and history are observed on August 15th throughout Canada. For many who have never heard of this colony before, it can be an excellent time to educate oneself on the trials and tribulations of the colony.
How To Observe National Acadian Day
For Acadians, the biggest festival is Tintamarre. This is held in New Brunswick in the city of Caraquet, where the people make their presence known. The festivities involve walking the streets with instruments of all kinds to make noise.
Other ways to participate include trying to learn some of the language; the dialect is different from standard French and unique to the people of Acadia. Why not try some of their cuisine? There is a popular Chicken Soup known as Chicken fricot – recipes are easy to find online.
If you happen to be in Canada around this time, and near Prince Edward Island, there is an Acadian museum, as well as one in Louisiana. The hashtag #NationalAcadianDay is another useful resource for finding out more about the day. It is where people will be sharing their pictures and stories of their celebrations, so it should be good for inspiration.
Spread awareness using the hashtag, even if there aren’t celebrations in your hometown. Other celebrations in Acadian communities include open-air festivals with music and a chance to observe the day. Cultural festivals will also be happening around Canada, and the day is observed in all corners, even those without large Acadian communities.
