Maritimers gather to celebrate National Acadian Day

National Acadian Day celebrates the history, heritage and resilience of the people.

Acadians across the Maritimes are gathering Friday to celebrate National Acadian Day.

Acadian Day has been celebrated on Aug. 15 since 1881, the year the first national Acadian convention took place in Memramcook, N.B.

It’s a day for Acadians to gather and reflect on the past, but it’s also an important day to talk about preserving their identity.

“It’s very important to celebrate Acadian culture because it’s such a diverse and vibrant community and it exists around the world and so we’re just happy to come together and celebrate,” said Marina Turbide with Conseil communautaire due Grand-Havre.

Festivities started early on the Halifax Waterfront Thursday with the annual Grou Tyme Festival, which featured performances from Mary Beth Carty, Steve Riley and Mamou Playboys and P’tit Belliveau.

A flag-raising is also being held on Friday at Grand Parade in Halifax with a performance by local singer-songwriter Serena Wu.

“It is a moment to celebrate the strength, pride and perseverance of a people whose roots run deep in Nova Scotia. It’s a day to honour the French language, culture and traditions that have shaped this province for more than 400 years – and continue to enrich our communities today,” said Colton LeBlanc, Nova Scotia’s minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie, in a statement.

LeBlanc is encouraging all Nova Scotians to take part in the festivities.

“I continue to be inspired by the spirit of our communities – their creativity, resilience and unshakable sense of identity. Whether through music, food, language or shared traditions, Acadians breathe life into every corner and sector of this province. On this National Acadian Day, I encourage all Nova Scotians to take part in the festivities and discover the beauty of l’Acadie.”

Cameron DeBaie, chair of l’Acadie de Chezzetcook in Nova Scotia, said they aim to promote and preserve Acadian culture.

“We only gained our Acadian status not that long ago,” DeBaie said. “As one of the only mainland Acadian communities, our culture was lost, our language was something that wasn’t valued.

“There was such an assimilation of becoming English that systematically throughout the school system French was not something that was tolerated or welcomed.”

Events are happening across the province, including the Festival acadien de Clare in southwestern Nova Scotia, the Festival acadien de Petit-de-Grat, the Festival de l’Escaoette in Cape Breton and the Festival des cultures francophone in the Halifax region.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said it’s important for Acadians to celebrate their history and culture.

“Acadian culture is more than history; it’s alive in our communities and celebrations. It’s a huge part of what makes New Brunswick so unique and so strong. Acadian Day is a time to celebrate the rich heritage, language and traditions of the Acadian people. Some of my best memories are from summer days filled with music, colour and laughter at the Acadian festival. Whether it was the sound of music in the air, the rhythm of the Tintamarre or the smell of traditional Acadian dishes, you could always feel the pride,” said Holt in a statement.

“Aug. 15 is a chance to celebrate not just the past, but the future. Today’s Acadie is vibrant and forward-looking, shaped by people who are pushing boundaries, reimagining identity and shining far beyond our borders. Our government is proud to support this vibrant culture and the people who make it shine.”

Acadian Day events are planned across New Brunswick.

-With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Jesse Thomas