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July-August 2005 Library and Archives Canada at the New France Festival
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will take part in the New France Festival again this year to celebrate Canada's historical heritage and make its collection known to the general public. The Festival will be held inside the walls of Old Quebec City from August 3 to 7, 2005. Through plays, concerts, processions and live entertainment, visitors are taken back in time to the New France of the 17th and 18th centuries. Unique in North America, the Festival provides an excellent opportunity for LAC to reach thousands of spectators and visitors interested in this important period of Canada's history. LAC will have a kiosk in the Seminary's courtyard and will present a street performance entitled "La sébile est pleine," which means "the cup is full." The play tells the story of traders from France who, each year, arrive on American soil to sell off poor quality merchandise and discredit the products of local merchants. Ignace Gamelin--an established merchant in Quebec City--proudly declares that his great-great-grandfather was one of the first settlers to start a new life here, and that the family business, handed down from father to son, has prospered throughout the years. But when he sees these despicable traders--"peddlers," as he calls them--come to his country, cheat the people and steal business from local merchants, he is truly incensed. He is determined to convince the locals of how they must protect their livelihood, and starts collecting signatures on a petition addressed to the governor of the colony. Last year, LAC's participation in the New France Festival was a great success. Visitors crowded around the kiosk to get more information on LAC and its collection. If you plan to be in Quebec City this summer for the New France Festival, drop by the LAC kiosk and make sure to sign Ignace Gamelin's petition! New France Festival: http://fnf2005.nouvellefrance.qc.ca/2005-en Related LAC sites: |
