Acadians have observed National Acadian Day on August 15 since 1881. It is a day filled with vibrant neighborhood celebrations and family activities, especially the “Tintamarre” custom, in which residents march around their neighborhoods while making noise to show the strength and unity of the Acadian community. It honors the Acadian people’s rich cultural diversity and long tradition.
The choice to designate a national day was adopted in 1881 at the first National Convention of the Acadians in Memramcook, New Brunswick, in order to acknowledge the distinct nationality of the Acadians. More than a century later, in 2003 and 2004, the federal and provincial governments, respectively, adopted legislation to support National Acadian Day.
Acadian culture is celebrated all year round by the Department of Communities, Culture, and Heritage. The Department continuously works to represent the interests of Acadian communities and honor their legacy through programs, services, resources, and cultural sites.
Staff at Acadian Affairs advise and assist government initiatives to provide services in French, which helps to preserve and grow Nova Scotia’s Acadian and francophone populations. Additionally, the organization oversees the Vive l’Acadie Community Support Fund. Vive l’Acadie is a non-profit organization that supports cultural initiatives aimed at improving the social, economic, educational, and spiritual well-being of Acadian and francophone communities. It is funded by donations gathered from the province’s Acadian Licence Plate Program.
The Nova Scotia Archives, one of Canada’s oldest archive organizations, collects, protects, and makes accessible the province’s documentary record. The Archives’ website has approximately 80 virtual exhibitions and reference aids; seven are devoted to Acadian culture, while many others are given in French. In an effort to make these provincially valuable records as accessible as possible.
Numerous works of classic literature, works of fiction, and works of non-fiction are available in French to Acadians and francophones through the Nova Scotia Provincial Library and the province’s public libraries. The library staff makes sure that a love of books and reading isn’t restricted by language by offering downloadable French ebooks and audiobooks at the Eastern Counties Regional Library and the Western Counties Regional Library.
Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse in Lower West Pubnico presents the tenacious and happy spirit of the Acadian people for those seeking to experience Acadian culture at a provincial museum. Visitors to this seaside community can tour historic structures, savor delectable cuisine, and take pleasure in traditional Acadian hospitality on a 17-acre location with views of Pubnico Harbour.
More information about this celebration at https://cch.novascotia.ca/stories/national-acadian-day-0
References:
https://cch.novascotia.ca/
https://www.halifax.ca/
Photo credits to: https://cch.novascotia.ca/stories/national-acadian-day-0
