PEIBig crowds are expected in Charlottetown for National Acadian Day, and some Islanders are hoping the celebration will lead to a greater appreciation of the province’s deep Acadian roots. Annual celebration will be televised from Charlottetown for the first time in decadesDelaney Kelly · CBC News · Posted: Aug 15, 2025 5:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoThe tintamarre is a traditional parade held on National Acadian Day that features participants dressed in the colours of the Acadian flag and making lots of noise by playing musical instruments, banging pots and singing. (Katelin Belliveau/CBC)Big crowds are expected in Charlottetown for National Acadian Day, and some Islanders are hoping the celebration will lead to a greater appreciation of the province’s deep francophone roots. National Acadian Day has been celebrated on Aug. 15 every year since 1881, but this year marks the first in decades the holiday will be televised from Charlottetown. Martin Théberge, president of la Société Nationale de l’Acadie, said the day is an important reminder of the contributions Acadian people made to Canada — but also an opportunity to look to the future.”We want to be recognized as one of the key components of what Canada is today. We are a people that is in Canada and keeps thriving in Canada and will be thriving for years to come,” Théberge said.’There is a motion in the House of Commons that recognizes the Acadian national holiday, but that’s it,’ says Martin Théberge, president of la Société Nationale de l’Acadie. (Laura Meader/CBC)Other cultures receive more support from the federal government, said Théberge, and Acadians deserve the same honour. Acadian groups are lobbying all levels of government for increased recognition and financial support for cultural celebrations.”There is a motion in the House of Commons that recognizes the Acadian national holiday, but that’s it. It stops there,” he said. Island MorningCelebrating Acadian Day on P.E.I.Acadian pride will be on full display a week from today. Organizers from Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean are planning a celebration timed perfectly with the Gold Cup Parade. Emile Gallant with the Carrefour Community Centre has the details.Having the day celebrated to such an extent on the Island is a big deal to Théberge, and to others.”It’s a big deal for us and it’s a big deal for Charlottetown, ” said Charles Duguay, president of la Société Acadienne et Francophone de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard. ‘It’s a big deal for us and it’s a big deal for Charlottetown,’ Charles Duguay, president of la Société Acadienne et Francophone de l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard, says of the National Acadian Day celebrations. (Laura Meader/CBC)Among the many events, Acadian Day will feature a traditional tintamarre — a parade in which participants bang pots, blow whistles and sing in a noisy show of community pride.Duguay said the tintamarre celebrates the resilience of Acadian culture in the face of forced deportations that displaced thousands of people more than 250 years ago.”It’s because we’re happy,” he said. “We want to say, ‘Hey, we’re still here. We’re still alive. And, we’re part of this beautiful Island.'”Although the day’s agenda includes a number of Acadian-themed activities, it’s a day for everyone to join in, said Émile Gallant, general manager of the Carrefour de l’Isle-Saint-Jean community centre in Charlottetown. “It’s a chance to celebrate, have fun, even if you’re not a Acadian, if you don’t speak French,” Gallant said. “Acadians have been in P.E.I. since the early 1700s. We’re a big part of the community. We’re very proud to be here.” ABOUT THE AUTHORDelaney Kelly is a journalist with CBC P.E.I. who studied journalism at Concordia University. She was previously a reporter at Iori:wase in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory. With File from Laura Meader
Islanders hope Acadian Day celebrations lead to greater cultural recognition
