Polemics

The festival was a reflection of the Fransaskois community. Sometimes pleasure and harmony gave way to discord. Dissension with respect to the festival showed up in l'Eau vive. Through the years there was a search for the magic formula to attract participants and create a festive atmosphere. At the August 4, 1988 event, Laurier Gareau was saddened by the fact that only 600 people took part in the festival. He hoped in the future the organizers would plan content which would appeal to festival attendees of all ages. He also suggested offering a bigger platform to Fransaskois artists. In 1996, Francis Potié wondered about the lack of atmosphere at the festival. It was important to him not to spread the activities too far accross the grounds and to encourage an intimate style. In 1989 a linguistic polemic surfaced. While some people thought that English was being given too much room at the festival, others called for tolerance and openness to the Francophile English-speaking community.