Launch of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie 2004 in the Public Service of Canada
The Rendez-vous de la Francophonie celebrates the vitality and vigour of the French-speaking communities in Canada. This year some 600 National Capital Region Francophones and Francophiles attended the launch at the invitation of the Honourable Denis Coderre, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada and Minister Responsible for La Francophonie.
On the morning of Friday, March 5, historic figures including Samuel de Champlain (Yves St-Denis), accompanied by his wife Hélène Boulay and a band of adventurers, welcomed the participants and directed them to the River View Salon in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau. Outstanding accordionist Benoît Rémillard greeted them as they approached the booths, playing music appropriate to the occasion. Good humour and renewed acquaintances were the order of the day, around the dozen booths. A short, amusing presentation by the historic personages transported the participants back to the 17th century.
Information booths promoted discussions and highlighted the importance of the French fact in Canada.
This year the launch marked the 400th anniversary of the first French settlement in North America.
With a few words from town crier Daniel Richer, the participants were invited to take their seats opposite the stage for the performance. The masters of ceremonies were cultural columnist Jasmine Lalonde and program host Christian Milette, both from Radio-Canada television; they entertained the audience throughout the morning.
After a word of welcome from Michel Cheff, the Museum's Director of Special Initiatives, Minister Coderre opened the official launch ceremony. "The Rendez-vous celebrates the vitality and strength of French culture in Canada. Linguistic duality is at the heart of our identity," Mr. Coderre said. His address on the vitality of the French language and culture in Canada gave the participants a feeling of renewed pride that will encourage them to further promote the use of French in their workplaces and give it more importance in their everyday activities.
Five Language Training Canada students gave a presentation in speech and song, inspired by the voyages of Samuel de Champlain. "Every day we discover the wealth and beauty of the new world. For Champlain, it was Canada; for us it is the French language", they said.
Other distinguished guests helped make the launch of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie a success. The first, Michel Tétu, President and Executive Director of the publication l'Année francophone internationale and a professor at Laval University, gave a vibrant address to mark the 400th anniversary of Acadia. He pointed out that Champlain was not the first to settle in North America, and he recounted the history of that period.
A group of young public servants directed by Claude Dubois of Natural Resources Canada transported the audience into a world of mystery.
Continuing on the same theme, Michel Noël, a Quebecois writer and storyteller of Aboriginal descent, told a wonderful story about a grain of sand. Everyone was hanging on his words!
To finish off the show, singer Lina Boudreau, a New Brunswick native, captivated the audience with her unique voice by singing about Acadia in rich, warm and heartfelt tones.
The presence of an RCMP officer in ceremonial dress, Constable Vincent Proulx, lent an official air to the event.
The MCs closed the ceremony by thanking the sponsors for their generosity. They were: the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Library and Archives Canada, the Privy Council Office, the Public Service Commission (Language Training Canada), Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Industry Canada, LesRendez-vous de la Francophonie, Canadian Heritage, Radio-Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Health Canada, the Treasury Board Secretariat and the Public Service Human Resources Management Agency of Canada.
The MCs also thanked all the institutions for their contributions to the door prizes, which delighted so many participants.
All in all, it was yet another unforgettable Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.
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