Looking at Franco-Manitoban Culture, Past and Present

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - March 31, 2015) - Department of Canadian Heritage

The Government of Canada is providing $56,500 in funding to the Alliance française du Manitoba in support of its project Portrait d'une francophonie en mouvement.

Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South Centre), made this announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. The Government of Canada is funding the project under the Community Life component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program.

Quick facts

• The Alliance française du Manitoba will celebrate its 100^th anniversary on October 29, 2015, with cultural and heritage events throughout the year.
• The Portrait d'une francophonie en mouvement project has three main components:
  • a series of creative writing activities, entitled Notre printemps de poètes, which will feature six seasoned writers giving writing workshops and laying down writing challenges, and will invite the public to breathe life into poems in Poématon, a camera recording booth;
  • a historical look at the French-speaking community and the contribution of the Alliance française du Manitoba through historical signs, a virtual platform and information kits; and
  • an exhibit, slated for October 2015, showcasing the poetry from the Notre printemps de poètes event, as well as symbols of the community's heritage, culture and identity in a professional, museum-quality display.

Quotes

"For the past century, the Alliance française du Manitoba has been spreading its love of the French language by encouraging Francophones and Francophiles alike to discover its subtleties. Our Government is proud to support a project that showcases the talents of writers of all ages and gives the public a window into the history of the Francophone community."

-The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"We are proud to support the Alliance française du Manitoba so that it can continue to promote the French language and Francophone culture in Winnipeg and throughout our great province for another 100 years."

-Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament (Winnipeg South Centre)

"For a century, the Alliance française du Manitoba has grown and been fed by a strong desire to create a welcoming community that transcends language barriers and where everyone is welcome. Our project is a tribute to Manitobans' passion for the French language and Francophone cultures. We are deeply grateful to the government for its support, which strengthens even further our commitment to promoting our province's cultural vitality and diversity."

-Emmanuel Bottiau, Executive Director, Alliance française du Manitoba

Associated links

Alliance française du Manitoba

Development of Official-Language Communities Program

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