Celebrating l’Acadie together

Island communities are ready to welcome Acadians, francophones and francophiles from around the world for five days of Acadian cheer.

Prince Edward Island will be a first-time co-host to the 25th anniversary of the World Acadian Congress with southeast New Brunswick. The Congress has developed an impressive program of musical, cultural and experiential events that will feature the vibrant and unique Island Acadian culture. The first half of the ten day celebration will take place on the Island. Festivities will begin at the stroke of 12:01 a.m. on August 10 with a moonlight run under Maris Stella across the Confederation Bridge. 

“Acadians and Francophones have a proud history and place in our Island communities; They’ve greatly contributed to the fabric of our province through the French language, their traditions and their infectious joie de vivre,” said Premier Dennis King, minister of Acadian and Francophone Affairs. “It’s an honour for Prince Edward Island to co-host the Congrès. This major event is an example of excellent collaboration between governments, communities and Islanders. There certainly will be significant impacts culturally, socially and economically, and it will be a tremendous opportunity to showcase what makes Prince Edward Island such a special place.”

Official ceremonies will take place in Abram-Village at 6 p.m. on August 10, 2019. The Honourable Antoinette Perry, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island and Dennis King, Premier of Prince Edward Island, will be attending the opening ceremonies. 

“As Islanders, we value our ancestral roots, rich traditions and the World Acadian Congress is a way we can continue to carry them forward,” said Matthew MacKay, Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture. “This is such an exciting opportunity for Prince Edward Island, as it invites the world to see and remember our province, while directly supporting our tourism and cultural sectors.”

“We are now less than 10 days away from the beginning of the 2019 Congrès mondial acadien and looking forward to showing Islanders and visitors alike the richness of our Acadian culture. We feel strongly that this event will be extremely beneficial, economically and socially, for our province,” said Claudette Thériault, Chair of the Congrès mondial acadien organizing committee.

For more information about the World Acadian Congress: https://www.cma2019.ca/en/

Media contact:
Vicki Tse
Bilingual Senior Communications Officer
vickitse@gov.pe.ca