P.E.I.'s World Acadian Congress 2019 events to be revealed in September

In less than ayear, thousands of Acadianswill be visiting communities in P.E.I. for the 2019 CongrsMondialAcadien or World Acadian Congress.

P.E.I. is co-hosting the two-week event with communities in southern New Brunswick.

Organizer ClaudetteTheriaultsays there are 20 communities in both provinces signed up to help host the event that draws people from all over the world.

"We are working closely with them to finalize some of the programming details."

Theriaultsaid the 2019CongrsMondialbegins on Aug.10 in Abram-Village, P.E.I.

Big celebrations

One of the most significant events will be held Aug. 14 in Miscouche where the 135th anniversary of the adoption of the Acadianflag and the Acadian nationalanthem will be celebrated.

"The congress itself, the programing will be in P.E.I. from August 10th to the 15th. The 15th of course is Acadianday and that will kind of be the transition day where we'll move to New Brunswick."

Events will continue in southeastern New Brunswick from Aug. 15 to 24 with the closing ceremony to be held in Shediac.

"Each day of the Congress will be featuring one of our host communities."

Tignish andWellington will be featured Aug. 11, Charlottetown and Sourison Aug. 12, North Rustico and Summersideon Aug. 13 and Aug. 14 in Miscouche.

Family reunions

Theriaultsaid to date 30 families have registered to hold family reunions including theArsenaults and Gallants which will be held in P.E.I.

"That component can generate 30,000 people so it's hard to say how many people will be coming to the overall event in both provinces but it's many many thousand people."

Theriault said the francophonecommunity on the Island is not large enough to host the event on its own which is why P.E.I.joined with the southeastern New Brunswickbidding committee in 2012.

They learned they would be hosting the2019CongrsMondialAcadien in 2014.

"It's a long process and in P.E.I., I know that people are very excited to be part of it," Theriault said.

"It will really enhance the pride that people have in being Acadianand also, we'll be on the world stage."

Theriault said more announcements about performers and events will be made public by the end of September.

Theriaultsaid the CongrsMondialis not just for Acadians. She said volunteers are welcome and those wanting to register can do so on their website.

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