Historian to bring past to present
Georges Arsenault to give two talks during Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival
ABRAM-VILLAGE — Wellknown Island Acadian historian Georges Arsenault, who has long been affiliated with the Evangeline Area Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival, will soon present two talks on various components of this magnificent Acadian cultural event.
Arsenault’s presentations on “Women and the Agricultural Exhibition” and “First editions of several popular Acadian Festival events” will be given during the 2019 edition of the Exhibition and Festival, in Abram-Village, both in the new Artisans’ Hall. Located in this room is the Exhibition’s permanent historic display, which Arsenault helped mount.
The first, on Saturday, Aug. 31, at 1:30 p.m., will address the role of women in the exhibition.
“If women today play a role that is equal to the one played by men within the association of the Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival, it should be noted that this has not always been the case.
“It took half a century for the first women to be appointed as directors of the organization,” explains the historian. “However, from the very beginning, their participation in the exhibition was important and well noticed. The crafts they exhibited were an important attraction of the exhibition and they earned a reputation for the quality of the meals they served on the grounds.”
His second talk, on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 3:30 p.m., will discuss some of the activities that were introduced when the festival was added to the exhibition.
“The Acadian Festival has distinguished itself for many years by several activities that have become essential to this great event,” he explains. “This talk will address topics such as the mass celebrated aboard fishing boats, the Djâble dans l’corps evening, the parade and the traditional music show on Sunday afternoon.”
Many will remember that in the past, Arsenault often played the role of the devil at the Djâble dans l’corps party, served as master of ceremonies for numerous shows and even played the role of the traditional character of Gabriel. Arsenault also authored the book “Cent ans de succès” (100 Years of Success) for the Exhibition’s centennial.
Born in Abram-Village, Georges is a historian and folklorist who has published a large number of books on various aspects of Acadian history. Several of his books have been translated into English.