Evangeline Valentine Weekend

Events planned for this special weekend are listed below.

In conjunction with the Acadian Deportation Anniversary, the Acadian Memorial has monthly events to honor the Acadians. Planned for February is a introduction of the importance of the poem, "Evangeline" to the survival of an exiled people.

Invited to speak about the spirit of "Evangeline" at the week-end event is Acadian descendent Dr. Françoise Paradis of Buxton, Maine, an Acadian settlement near the St. John Valley. She has authored "Evangeline: A Tale of Evangeline" as a commemorative edition to honor the Acadians as they remember the 250 year anniversary of the deportation which first started in September, 1755.

She states the poem, "Evangeline is an icon of the deportation". Pardis explains that Longfellow did extensive research and heard the story of a young married couple who were separated during the deportation of Acadians in 1755 from Reverend Horace Connolly, a friend of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Hawthorne, Pardis says, wrote an anonymous review of the poem, "Evangeline" and describes this literary work as, "It is a theme, indeed, not to be trusted in the hands of an ordinary writer, who would bring out only its gloom and wretchedness; it required the true poet's deeper insight to present it to us, as we find it here, its pathos all illuminated with beauty..."

To help us understand Longfellow, Mr. Lane Longfellow, a dear friend of Dr. Paradis will be an added addition to this long weekend of commemoration to Longfellow. Known internationally as a reader of Henry Longfellow's works, Lane Longfellow will begin our events with interpretive presentations of works by Longfellow.

Indeed, this is an opportunity for teachers, students, and citizens in this local and state to learn more about a grand gentlemen who has touched the lives of the Acadian refugees forever. Join us in remembering!

The following information about our Evangeline Valentine week-end is an overview of a weekend of tribute to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow for keeping the Acadian's story and history alive. We invite you to join in this celebration of all things Evangeline. Our goal is to showcase Longfellow as well as a bring more awareness to one of American's most beloved poets!

February 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 : Romantic Week-End in St. Martinville

Acadian Memorial Commemoration of the 250 Year Anniversary of the Acadian Deportation

February 10- 6:00 p.m. - Opening Reception of "Spirit of Evangeline" Exhibition; Reading of Longfellow's literary works on Acadians & anti-slavery by Lane Longfellow, nationally known reader and speaker of the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. (St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center 

February 10 to March 31 - Exhibition on the "Spirit of Evangeline"; Acadian Memorial & St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center

February 11 - 4:00 p.m. -Unveiling of Longfellow's bust under the Evangeline Oak, Readings by Lane Longfellow (Bust donated by St. Martinville Rotary)

February 11 - 5:00 p.m. - Discussion of two stories of Longfellow's "Evangeline" and Judge Felix Voorhies's "Acadian Reminiscences" and the role of St. Martinville's Judge Edward Simon / Acadian Memorial Conference Room

February 11 - 6:00 p.m. - "Calling All Lovers: Romance Under The Oak" Reception at OLD CASTILLO B & B ;Tribute to married / engaged couples under the oak. Public Invited

February 12, 13 - 10:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 1929 "Evangeline" film showing at the Acadian Memorial Conference Room

February 14th 6:30 p.m. - Romance Under the Oak at a Valentine Evangeline Cocktail Buffet and Concert / Maison Duchamp

Guest Lecturer: Dr. François Paradis of Maine, Topic: "Spirit of Evangeline", Entertainment from the Acadian Memorial Choir with feature singers, Evangeline & Gabriel of the Baton Rouge Little Theater's Evangeline, The Musical

Limited Space: Call 394.2258 for reservations.