The four corners of the province are preparing to come alive on June 24 to the rhythm of Quebec folklore by brandishing the blue and white flag for Quebec’s national holiday, also called Saint-Jean-Baptiste. But what is its origin?
If each year, more than 750 festivals are held in the province, offering more than 1,050 shows and 360 bonfires to Quebecers, according toCanadian Encyclopediafew people really know where this holiday comes from.
However, it even finds echo in the French-speaking communities of other provinces and in Quebec delegations as far as… Tokyo!
Where to celebrate Midsummer?
No less than twenty regions will host shows throughout the province on Sunday June 23 and Monday June 24 – a day which will obviously be a holiday to allow the population to groove to the best Quebec classics.
• Read also: Open or closed for Midsummer?
Like every year, Quebec and Montreal will bring out the crowds with major shows, on June 23 and 24 respectively, as well as numerous neighborhood parties and a parade in the great metropolis on June 24.
Other regions, such as Gatineau, Longueuil, Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Saint-Jérôme will also invite some Quebec talents to take the stage for an evening.
Here’s where to find the complete program to celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste this year.
Why is Saint-Jean the national holiday of Quebec?
The celebrations of Saint-Jean-Baptiste are not new, and have their origins in ancient pagan customs, including that of lighting a fire to mark the summer solstice, according to theCanadian Encyclopedia.
It was not until 1646 that these celebrations crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join the settlers of New France, before obtaining religious festival status in 1694.
Then, in 1834, the feast of Saint-Jean-Baptiste took a more patriotic turn at the time of the founding of the “Help yourself and heaven will help you” society (the ancestor of the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society). Baptiste) by Ludger Duvernay, editor of the important Patriote newspaper The Minerva.
Its goal was then to offer French Canadians a national celebration strongly inspired by the Saint-Patrick’s Day parade held by Irish immigrants to Montreal.
Why do we celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day on June 24?
After being forced into exile with other patriots following the rebellions of 1837-1838, Ludger Duvernay returned to the country in force in 1842 and reiterated his wish to unite French-speakers, by setting up the Association Saint-Jean -Baptiste the following year.
Only a few weeks later, on June 24, 1843, Montreal saw its first Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day parade in the streets of the metropolis: a tradition that now returns every year.
Since 1925, the holiday has been officially recognized by the Legislative Assembly of Quebec as a statutory holiday.
Who is John the Baptist?
The famous John the Baptist, to whom the Catholic Church attributed the summer solstice festival, is the cousin of Jesus of Nazareth, whom John himself baptized – hence his name.
The reason John the Baptist is celebrated at this time of year is that he himself is said to have been born near the summer solstice, the opposite of Jesus, who is associated more with the winter solstice, according to the Canadian History Society.
From the 6th century, a day of fasting followed by festive meals was organized in his honor, to mark Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, in several Western countries.
Except that with the strong hold of the Catholic Church on French-Canadian society, John the Baptist – symbolized by a curly-haired child holding a sheep – remained central to the celebration, before officially becoming the special patron in 1908 French Canadians, that is to say their protector.
A symbolism specific to Quebecers
Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day celebrations have helped shape Quebec culture and identity over the years.
Did you know that it was during the Saint-Jean celebrations in Quebec in 1880 that the country’s national anthem was sung for the very first time, the O Canada? However, it was not until 1980 that it officially obtained its status.
In 1947, it was also the Saint-Jean-Baptiste societies of Quebec which campaigned in favor of the adoption of the fleurdelisé as a flag for the province, with a symbolism aimed at recalling the French roots of the people. It became a rallying symbol for Quebecers upon its adoption the following year.
The Midsummer celebrations in 1975 were also the birthplace of the very first performance of the song People of the country by Gilles Vigneault, an anthem that still resonates among Quebecers today, especially on birthdays.
