For several years now the Société Promotion Grand-Pré has organized a series of talks that take place during the Acadians Days at Grand-Pré in July. These talks give specialists the chance to share with the public the findings of their recent research on Acadian history.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the fall of Louisbourg. Many people may not realize that this historic event had a major impact on the thousands of Acadians who were living in the French colonies of Isle Royale (Cap-Breton) and Isle Saint-Jean (Prince Edward Island). It is for that reason that the Société Promotion Grand-Pré has invited four speakers to talk about how the Acadians were affected by the defeat of Louisbourg in 1758.

John Johnston, Parks Canada historian and specialist of Louisbourg, will begin by giving the historical context of the siege of the fortress in July 1758. Then Earle Lockerby, an historian from Prince Edward Island, will examine the details of the Deportation of the Acadians from the Island. Using case studies of a number of specific families, the genealogist Stephen White will discuss the fate of the Acadians deported in 1758. Georges Arsenault, historian et folklorist, will show the courage and resilience of his compatriots as he follows the itinerary of Prince Edward Island Acadians who managed to survive this Deportation.

Christophe Rivet, a planner with Parks Canada, will talk about the process involved in having the cultural landscape of Grand-Pré designated by Canada for UNESCO’s World Heritage List. He will explain what is meant by cultural landscape and he will also give an update of the work done regarding the proposal for Grand-Pré.

For further information on the speakers and the talks, the Société Promotion Grand-Pré invites you to click on the following link: http://www.grand-pre.com/Activites2008en.html

The Société Promotion Grand-Pré is a non-profit organization representing the Acadian community that collaborates with Parks Canada to ensure the development and integrity of Grand-Pré National Historic Site.

Resource persons and members of the Development Committee of the SPGP:

 - Georges Arsenault: (902) 566-5067 georg52@pei.sympatico.ca

- Sally Ross: (902) 826-2981 bon.mot@ns.sympatico.ca

The Société Promotion Grand-Pré is a non-profit organization representing the Acadian community and working in partnership with Parks Canada to ensure the development and integrity of the Grand-Pré National Historic Site of Canada.