Grand Réveil Acadien!

Tax break for disabled veterans
October 19, 2011
West Bank fest delivers the goods
October 19, 2011
Tax break for disabled veterans
October 19, 2011
West Bank fest delivers the goods
October 19, 2011

In the mid-1700s, as the French and Indian War raged, the British sent Acadian people packing.

Many of those who survived disease and drowning eventually migrated to Louisiana, bringing with them their rich language, music, history and culture.

More than 300 years later, Louisiana unites in celebrating our rich Acadian roots.

The opening ceremony begins Oct. 7 in New Orleans, moves to Houma Oct. 9 with the Gathering of Acadians, unveiling of the International Commemoration of the Great Upheaval and coastal coup de main.


The event travels to Lake Charles Oct. 11-12 and ends with a blowout Oct. 13-16 in Lafayette.

“Young or old, French-speaker or not, genealogy buffs and cultural activists alike will find something fun and stimulating for them and their family,” said Ray Trahan, president of Louisiane-Acadie.

“That being said, it’s no secret that the success of an event like this is never really the planned events but rather the unexpected connections and impromptu gatherings that just happen.

“In a few hours, a person can learn more about who they are than they’ve ever known.”

The aim of the celebration, Trahan emphasized, is to awaken those of Acadian descent – in particular our youth – to the realization that Acadians, particularly those in Louisiana, are losing their French language, culture and coastal lands.

Events over the two weeks are designed to seek support, elicit partnerships, solutions and concerted plans of action through forums, youth programs and large gatherings of Acadians from around the world.


The Houma leg of Grand Réveil Acadien begins at 11 a.m. near the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum on Park Avenue with the unveiling and blessing of the Acadian Deportation Cross Monument.

At 1 p.m., genealogist Stephen White, of Moncton University in New Brunswick, Canada, and Louisiana author Tim Hebert recount the Acadian’s journey to Terrebonne Parish.

From there, the celebration moves to Southdown Plantation, where guests will attend the Voice of the Wetlands Festival.

Monday’s agenda includes a coastal restoration project planting grass in Grand Isle. Volunteers can sign up at www.houmatravel.com.

To learn more, visit www.gra2011.org.


The International Commemoration of the Great Upheaval monument
is being unveiled in Houma Oct. 9 near the Bayou Terrebonne
Waterlife Museum on Park Avenue. The monument, the first official
statue of its kind in the United States, is shown above in an
artist’s rendering. The statue tracks the movement of the Acadians
south to Louisiana.