A Nomadic Festival
When festival attendees were asked about its itinerant nature, everyone realized the extent to which they are attached to this format. The Francophone communities in Saskatchewan were unusual in that they were scattered over the entire province. The main advantage of a nomadic festival was that it included all the Fransaskois, from Debden up in the north to Bellevue near the Manitoba border in the south. The host communities were energized by the challenge of putting on the festival and there was a creative rivalry so they could single themselves out and show off their local character. (Fransaskois Hélène Marchildon explained what attracted people to Zenon Park (audio). Her husband, Léon, recalled the work he did for the festival decorations (audio)).
An itinerant festival made it possible for a number of Fransaskois to discover new Francophone corners of the country (commentary by Laurier Gareau (audio)). Philippe Potié from Zenon Park remembered the positive influence of the festival on the perceptions of the Francophones in that area. It was also, he said, an opportunity to make connections with people who were not normally involved in the Francophone world (audio). Unfortunately, the nomadic nature presented a burden to the communities; the festival needed a permanent structure to support it (commentary by Fransaskois performer Michel Lalonde (audio)).
An itinerant festival made it possible for a number of Fransaskois to discover new Francophone corners of the country (commentary by Laurier Gareau (audio)). Philippe Potié from Zenon Park remembered the positive influence of the festival on the perceptions of the Francophones in that area. It was also, he said, an opportunity to make connections with people who were not normally involved in the Francophone world (audio). Unfortunately, the nomadic nature presented a burden to the communities; the festival needed a permanent structure to support it (commentary by Fransaskois performer Michel Lalonde (audio)).
