About 650 students took part in the event, in a fraternal and French-speaking atmosphere.
The FrancoSud school board organized its first major cultural gathering at École Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys and Mount Royal University in Calgary. Wednesday's event was marked by sports activities, board games and cultural performances.
Some 650 students took part in the event, in which students from Grades 3-12 participated in Scrabble tournaments, soccer tournaments, budding geniuses, and a music workshop and choir practice.
All in an atmosphere of fraternity and joviality between French speakers.
This is what Hilary Kembeau, a 9th grade student at École Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys, points out: It allows you to meet many people. x27; other people who [also] speak French.
Creating and strengthening ties within the Francophone community was the main objective of this gathering, which attracted 14 schools from the FrancoSud school board.
“For students to have French not only in their books, but in their hearts, this kind of gathering is really interesting. »
— Erika Tavernari, cultural animator for FrancoSud schools
For Erika Tavernari, cultural animator for FrancoSud schools , this gathering is also an opportunity to share the French language.
In addition to games of scrabble which help reinforce knowledge of the language, there was also an improvisation competition.
According to Yoan Barriault, teacher at the Francophone school in Airdrie and improvisation arbiter, there is a desire to go back to the basics, to the essentials for the construction of Francophone identity in a minority setting.
< p class="e-p">According to him, improvisation and artistic expression are an integral part of this process.
“To To assert yourself as a Francophone, you have to be proud to speak this language in front of people. »
— Yoan Barriault, teacher, Airdrie Francophone School
Yoan Barriault is a teacher at the Francophone school in Airdrie and an improvisation referee. He stresses the importance of asserting his pride in being Francophone, especially in a minority setting.
Isabelle Normandeau, grade 10 student at École de la Rose sauvage , is just as happy about this opportunity, which allowed her to meet so many young Francophones.
Also, according to her, this moment is inspiring. It's really cool to know that there are currently people who want to continue in French, it inspires me to [become] a French teacher.
The day ended in the afternoon on a rather special note with a concert at Mount Royal University's Ross Glen Hall. A choir of 160 students performed there, along with Wild Rose School student Jefferson TPoints and Edmonton native Pierre Sabourin.
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With information from Laurence Brisson Dubreuil
