Acadie marks flag's 125 years
Published Friday March 20th, 2009
Saint-Louis-de-Kent proud of its role in flag's origins
SAINT-LOUIS-DE-KENT - A small, picturesque village may be the last place some might expect to find a culture of unabashed flag-waving.
But bold celebrations of Acadian culture, and the flag that represents it, were exactly what could be found here yesterday as the 125th anniversary of the flag was highlighted.
From speeches to rock music, and from mini-flags to bandannas and temporary tattoos, several generations, from children to senior citizens, gathered to mark the occasion in their own way.
Although they carry pride in the flag all year long, it was a particularly special day for residents of Saint-Louis-de-Kent.
All the fuss revolves around Monseigneur Marcel-François Richard, the son of a farmer from the Saint-Louis-de-Kent area who went on to become one of the leading forces behind preserving the French language and Acadian identity.
It was Richard who proposed the flag at a National Convention of Acadians in Miscouche, P.E.I., in 1884.
Fittingly, yesterday's celebrations took place at the high school named in his honour and that reminds young minds of his contribution every day, the Polyvalente Msgr-Marcel-François-Richard.
"His name became the echo of his actions as a courageous colonizer, church builder, fervent defender of education, and a dedicated priest," explained Aline Richard to students from the high school and younger students from l'École Marée-Montante.
"He wanted Acadie to have a flag that reminded its children that they are not only French, but Acadian."
It was Richard who asked a local parishioner, Marie Babineau, to sew a yellow star on France's blue, white and red flag.
Yesterday's celebrations were punctuated by several musical performances by students, and even a larger-than-life mascot of Richard himself.
The mascot grabbed a lot of attention when he walked into the school gym.
The president of the local organizing committee of celebrations surrounding the 125th anniversary of the Acadian flag, Bernard Landry, said the local residents' pride in the flag has been revived since a television program was filmed in the community last summer.
"That's when it stimulated the pride in our flag, and we are continuing in that direction and we are taking advantage of the 125th anniversary," said Landry.
"It isn't just for the kids, it is for the whole community."
Saint-Louis-de-Kent Mayor Louis Arsenault unveiled the village's new logo yesterday.
It places the emphasis on the flag, and Arsenault said it was created to help his community attract more tourists who are looking for an Acadian experience.
Landry said the flag is the ideal calling card for the village.
"You can travel anywhere and you will see the Acadian flag, it can be in the north, the south, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, but we are taking advantage because it is here that it started."
Senator and local resident Fernard Robichaud was impressed by the young people's pride in their language and culture.
"It is always interesting to see all the talent of the kids and how they don't hesitate to come up on stage, (that) they are comfortable," said Robichaud.
"It encourages me especially because they are doing it in French, because, for a while, we were shy, but this is very revealing and encouraging."
Robichaud admits that times have changed since his days in school, when most classes were taught in English.
"When we see the kids expressing themselves now with such ease, there has been enormous progress. They are proud to do it," said Robichaud.
"We were a bit more reserved."
The local celebrations will continue throughout the rest of the year. For example, there is a play in the works that will showcase the accomplishments of Richard, as well as an outdoor church service near the village's shrine that will be broadcast nationally.
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was holding the french flag and the sunlight made the star of
marie on the flag...thus we have the acadian flag.