Grand-Pré, June 19, 2008 –  The flowers are blooming, the tourists are arriving, and life has picked up at Grand-Pré National Historic Site. Like all the other guides, François Gaudet and Susan Surette-Draper are thrilled to be back at work in this magnificent part of Nova Scotia.

As Acadians, François and Susan feel particularly privileged to be able to work from May to October in an historic site that values their Acadian identity. “When I come back to Grand-Pré,” François says, “I always have the impression that I’m in the right place, I feel connected to my heritage. Every day, I meet people who share that heritage.” Susan feels especially attached to Grand-Pré because one of her ancestors was married in 1732 in the little church that once stood in Grand-Pré. Unlike most Acadians, her ancestor and his family were able to escape the Deportation. Susan admits that she loves talking with visitors, “often their visit to Grand-Pré represents for them a personal accomplishment, a pilgrimage. That’s true for all kinds of people, not just Acadians and Cajuns. Certainly Longfellow’s famous poem Evangeline, written over 150 years ago, gave Grand-Pré its romantic appeal.” Obviously the huge weeping willows, the colourful Victorian gardens, and the acres of green space enhance the atmosphere.

The guides welcome visitors and help them take advantage of their visit to Grand-Pré National Historic Site which commemorates the Deportation and the life of the Acadians in Grand-Pré from 1682 to1755.

Entrance to the site is free (except for commercial groups) on July 1^st, Canada Day; July 27^th for Acadian Days, and August 15th, the Acadian National Holiday.

For more information on fees and summer programs, please visit www.grand-pre.com

If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sally Ross

Marketing and Media Relations

Société Promotion Grand-Pré

medias@grand-pre.com          

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.