HISTORY COMES ALIVE at the Acadian Memorial as an historical re-enactor blends into Robert Dafford’s celebrated mural. Both the mural and the events it portray will be celebrated in St. Martinville today, Wednesday, Aug. 15.
TWO DECADES AGO, famed muralist Robert Dafford depicts a scene that unfolded over two centuries ago. Using photos of contemporary Cajuns, Dafford created a resonating monument to a people.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the mural, “The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana,” by Robert Dafford, the staff has prepared a special exhibit. “From Commission to Completion: Celebrating 20 years of the Mural” includes Dafford’s renderings and a timeline and photo presentation. From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Théâtre Cadien will offer reenactment performances bringing the mural characters to life at the Acadian Memorial.
Conversation and coffee await all levels of French speakers, particularly beginners, at the second floor conference room from 10 a.m. until noon. Mavis Fruge of Arnaudville’s monthly table francaise will be hosting the table.
From 1 to 2:30 p.m., Dr. Ray Brassieur, associate professor of anthropology at UL Lafayette, presents plant and herbal lore of the Bayou Teche region, collected by Charles Bienvenu in 1933, and the role of traiteurs, religion, magic and prayer in traditional medicine practices. Take a self-guided walking tour of the Heritage Garden along the Evangeline Oak Park boardwalk after the presentation.
A film presentation on Acadian heritage follows in the Museum of the Acadian Memorial from 2 to 3 p.m. Then wander back at 2:30 to the second floor conference room for a presentation and book signing by Ron Thibodeaux of his book, “Hell or High Water: How Cajun Fortitude Withstood Hurricanes Rita and Ike.” Thibodeaux was a longtime editor of the Times-Picayune.
From 4 to 4:30 p.m., children are invited to the Museum of the Acadian Memorial for a scavenger hunt. They will race to find answers to questions about Acadian history and heritage throughout the museum and possibly win a prize.
At 4 p.m., J. E. Delahoussaye, donor of a 75-foot long genealogy scroll of Claude Martin’s descendants, will give a presentation on the Martin family. The scroll was created for the 1999 Congrès Mondial Acadien and was also displayed in Canada in 2004.
At 5:30 p.m., family banner carriers will gather at the Memorial to pick up banners. At 5:45 p.m., the procession of banners begins from the Memorial to St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church. At 6 p.m., a Mass in French celebrating the Feast of the Assumption and the National Day of the Acadians will feature the Acadian Choir.
All activities are free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Acadian Memorial at (337) 394-2258 or on the web at info@acadianmemorial.org.
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