Taking the lead
Musicians provide artistic direction to international Acadian event in 2019
Musical artists Emmanuelle LeBlanc from P.E.I. and George Belliveau of New Brunswick have been selected as the artistic directors for the Congrès mondial acadien 2019’s opening day and closing day celebrations.
The 6th edition of the Congrès mondial acadien (CMA) will be held from Aug. 10 to 24, 2019, on Prince Edward Island and in Southeastern New Brunswick. Its mission is to reunite Acadians and all those interested in Acadian culture around the world.
LeBlanc will be the artistic director of opening day celebrations on Aug. 10 in Abram Village. This day will mark the 25th anniversary of the Congrès mondial acadien, which was first held in Southeastern New Brunswick in 1994. Originally from Mont Carmel, LeBlanc has been working in the music industry for more than 15 years. A founding member of the group Vishtèn and Les Productions Takashoun, she is a multi-instrumentalist, she has been active in the folk music scene and has produced and directed several events and cultural projects.
LeBlanc will also be taking on the artistic direction of the Aug. 14 Commemoration Day, highlighting the adoption, in 1884, of the Acadian flag and national anthem. During the CMA 2019, this defining moment will be celebrated in the very town where it took place: in Miscouche.
LeBlanc will also provide artistic support to the various communities in P.E.I. that will organize activities as part of the CMA.
As for Belliveau, he will direct the closing day celebrations on Aug. 24, 2019, in Shediac, N.B. Originally from Pré d’en haut, N.B., Belliveau comes from a musical family of five and, as such, has been immersed in the world of music for a long time. Having explored a more traditional Acadian style with Bois Joli, a group for which he was also the musical and artistic director, Belliveau turned to country for his solo career launched in 2006 with his album “L’amour viendra nous sauver” and other subsequent albums.
The recipient of numerous prizes and awards, he also directed the series “Les Vendordis du Pays” at the Pays de la Sagouine in 2014, a production featuring more than 30 artists. For more information about the CMA program and event, visit the www.cma2019.ca.