Île-aux-Puces received a big visit on Thursday evening, when Acadian youth gathered at Pays de la Sagouine to officially launch the 43rd final of the Acadian Games.
All the delegations paraded on the long walkway, before being welcomed by the inhabitants of the Country, with Pumpkin at the head.
The flame was lit in the middle of an evening rich in music, dancing and emotions of all kinds.
But what was at the center of all this excitement was the enthusiasm of young people.
“A ceremony like this allows us to see the world and show our pride. I love the atmosphere here,” says Xavier Savoie, who represents the Acadian Peninsula in badminton and athletics.
Joliane Parent, from Chaleur, is part of the next generation team.
This initiative helps train future volunteers or heads of delegations.
She participated as an athlete in the Memramcook games in 2023 in soccer.
“I really enjoyed my experience at the games and since I was out of age for soccer, I thought I could participate in another way,” she explains.
“This kind of ceremony gives me hope in Acadia. We often hear that young people speak English, but here, everything happens in French. It’s really beautiful to see. We can see that everyone is really happy to be here.”
The theater enthusiast was living a dream by appearing in Pays de la Sagouine.
“I love Viola Léger, who is a bit of an idol to me. So it’s very special that all this is happening here tonight.”
Zoé Allain was experiencing her third ceremony of this kind.
“I love the atmosphere here. Everyone is screaming and singing. The fact that the ceremony is happening on Île-aux-Puces is also something special. I’ve never been to a ceremony that was happening outside before,” says the Kent County athlete.
In the South-East group, the atmosphere was festive.
“I’m really excited to be here,” said Eli Gaudet, who is participating in the games for the first time.
“The ceremony is an important moment for us because we represent our region and our school,” adds his teammate on the soccer team, Ludovic Imbeault.
“We all competed hard for the chance to be here and we are very proud of it. The Pays de la Sagouine is an important symbol of Acadia. So it’s a very good idea to hold the ceremony here.”
In addition to the usual dignitaries, Olympians Geneviève Lalonde and Joël Bourgeois also took part in the event.
The flame was lit by hockey players Lukas and Dominique Cormier, both from Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, near Bouctouche.
Madawaska-Victoria welcomed by the inhabitants of the Country. Acadie Nouvelle: Stéphane Paquette
The inhabitants of the Pays de la Sagouine were all there to welcome the athletes. Acadie Nouvelle: Stéphane Paquette
