Raising of the Franco-Ontarian Flag at the NAC this Friday
OTTAWA – The President and CEO of the National Arts Centre (NAC), in conjunction with French-speaking artists and representatives of Franco-Ontarian associations, will be raising the Franco-Ontarian flag to celebrate three anniversaries: the 40th anniversary of the first raising of the flag, the fifth annual Franco-Ontarian Day and the 400th anniversary of the French presence in Ontario.
WHEN: September 25, 2015 at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Terrace at the corner of Elgin and Queen Streets, National Arts Centre, Ottawa
WHO:
Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the NAC
Éric Charlebois, President, Association des auteur(e)s de l’Ontario français
Pierre Simpson, President, Théâtre Action
Daniel Sauvé, President, Association des professionnels de la chanson et de la musique
Robert Gagné, Théâtre français at the NAC
DETAILS: The flag-raising will take place on the same day as the Théâtre français presentation of À quoi ça sert d’être brillant si t’éclaires personne? This literary and musical jam session celebrating Franco-Ontarian voices of past and present is staged by Lisa L’Heureux and Gabriel Robichaud under the musical direction of Brigitte Haentjens. This festive and mordant happening will feature artists such as Pandaléon, Andréa Lindsay, Mehdi Hamdad, Nicolas Desfossés and Anie Richer. The event – which takes place on September 25 and 26 at 8 p.m. at the NAC Studio – takes its theme from the title of the poem À quoi ça sert / d’être / brillant / si / t’éclaires / personne by Patrice Desbiens. It will combine the words of the renowned Triple D (Dalpé, Desbiens, Dickson) with those of Michel Ouellette, Éric Charlebois, Sonia Lamontagne, Charlotte L’Orage and many others. A veritable hymn in praise of the territory and its language, it will include texts such as Cris et blues, Sainte colère, Poèmes anglais, Chien and Miroir sans teint. The organizers of the event were inspired by the works of some sixty artists.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Carl Martin
Senior Advisor, Communications
National Arts Centre
613-947-7000, ext. 560