Plans discussed for Congrès Mondial Acadien

RAYNE — The Mural Room of the Rayne Civic Center Complex was the setting on Feb. 29, when a planning meeting was held by Louisiane Acadie, a non-profit organization that aims to encourage connections between Acadians all around the world.
The planning meeting and working breakfast was held to continue with plans and finalize dates for the upcoming Congres Mondial Acadien planned in August.
Every five years, the trip is made to the Maritime Provinces of Canada when Acadiana cities, groups and individuals visit the area and share what Louisiana has to offer in the way of tourism, future touring trips and future events, such as city twinning.
Congrès Mondial Acadien 2024 will be in the Clara and Argyle regions of Nova Scotia and will bring together the Acadian diaspora from across the world for nine days of celebrations, discovery and reunions.
Featuring big outdoor concerts, culinary experiences, thematic presentations and family gatherings, the CMA 2024’s activities will allow everyone to experience Acadian culture in their own way and share it with relatives and new friends.
There will be countless opportunities to celebrate Acadian “joie de vivre,” be it a bonfire on the beach that turns into a jam, a community event that has the whole village abuzz with activity or a kitchen party where everyone is invited.
Those interested in both the 2024 Congres Mondial Acadien and the 2025 Grand Reveil Acadien in attendance for the planning meeting/working breakfast were Louisiane Acadie President Randy Menard, President Michael Vincent (vice president), Ray Trahan (treasurer), and board members Annie Bates, John Broussard, David Cheramie, Madeline Dehart, Martha Royer and Gayle Breaux Smith.
A number of Acadiana cities were represented, including Rayne, Crowley, Church Point, Arnaudville, Loreauville, Lafayette, Morse, Abbeville and Broussard.
Menard welcomed everyone to the event and thanked all for attending and participating in the upcoming events.
Following introductions, Menard was joined by Trahan, Broussard and Smith who gave updates of area events, each stressing the “bottom line of twinning, visits and both the CMA and CRA — economic development for both Louisiana and Canadian locations.
Broussard also gave an update of the work continuing near Loreauville, site of the new Loreauville Acadian Odyssey Monument Park provided by the La Commission de “Odyssee Acadianne.
The commission was created and developed with the goal of permanently highlighting the “odyssey” of the Acadian people in Canada, North America and the world; thus, encouraging and supporting the construction of commemorative monuments to ensure the awareness continuing support of Acadian history and culture.
Broussard also noted that the monument serves as a marker representing the “starting point” of the Acadian (Cajun) culture along Bayou Teche, known as “Fausse Pointe” today’s village of Loreauville. He also noted that additional information and artifacts have been discovered to narrow the search for the exact location of the initial starting point of the Cajun culture over 250 years ago.
Also discussed during the morning event was next year’s 2025 Grand Reveil Acadien, a multi-parish experience celebrating the lasting cultural impact of the Acadian people held in Louisiana.
Daily events will be held in October of 2025 at many points across Acadiana.
Started in 2011, the purpose of the GRA is to encourage Acadians from around the world to continue to advance our unique lifestyle through shared memories, French speaking events, bonding and fellowship over Cajun food and music, and the general celebration of our shared culture, especially family reunions.
Grand Réveil Acadien (The Great Acadian Awakening) is a state-wide, multi-day celebration of the language, music, history, culture and influence of the Acadian people in the heart of Acadiana. Virtually all activities are free and open to the public.
The event includes many programs and activities held throughout Acadiana. The GRA is the result of many months of planning and preparation, like Thursday’s meeting held in Rayne, to join in celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana.
The Acadians of the Acadian Peninsula of New Brunswick helped start a renaissance and an awakening of our younger generation’s pride and interest in promoting the French language and culture of our ancestors.
The 2011, 2015 and 2022 events were considered all-around successes, with thousands of local participants and hundreds of visitors from Canada and France, carrying their enthusiasm for Acadian culture beyond the GRA and into their daily lives.
With the 2025 GRA, Louisiana-Acadie, Inc. aims to encourage all Acadians to participate in the continued expression of the native French language and culture.
GRA President Randy Menard states, “In order to maintain our rich heritage, we must take advantage of this spirit of renewal and learn from the past. We are asking Acadians and friends of the Acadians to join us in Louisiana for the days dedicated to celebrating this unique, vibrant, and living culture we enjoy as Cajuns.”
Special thanks were also given to the City of Rayne and the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission who provided the meal for all to enjoy during the working breakfast.