This short documentary chronicles the participation of Edmonton’s Chorale Saint-Jean in the festivities organized for Quebec City’s 400th anniversary. The film is interspersed with interviews with conductor Laurier Fagnan, lyricist-composer France Levasseur-Ouimet and other people involved with this talented choir. Poignant and charming, it shows that French outside Quebec doesn’t necessarily have a bleak future. Indeed, not only is Franco-Albertan culture surviving, but it is also enriching our country’s heritage. In French with English subtitles.
This documentary was made as part of the Tremplin program, with the collaboration of Radio-Canada.
Ages 15 to 17
Diversity - Identity
English Language Arts - CanLit
Health/Personal Development - Substance Use and Abuse/Addiction
Discuss the threat of assimilation to cultural minorities. Why do Franco-Albertans want to express themselves through this choir? Do you think they’re afraid they’ll disappear? Why was it so important for them to come to Quebec to sing? Ask students to suggest things minority communities can do to preserve their identity.