St. Jean Baptiste Day brings African francophone culture to Vancouver

Jun 8 2017, 12:21 am

Bonjour tout le monde!

If you need to celebrate your inner francophone, this year’s St. Jean Baptiste Day at Canada Place promises to be one huge global party.

The Fête Francophone on Saturday, June 24 will feature live music, children’s entertainment, traditional Francophone cuisine, and, of course, all the poutine you can eat.

There'll be plenty of poutine St. Jean Baptiste Day in Vancouver (Port of Vancouver)

There’ll be plenty of poutine on St. Jean Baptiste Day in Vancouver (Port of Vancouver)

As usual, there’ll be music from Canadian francophone bands, including Elea Saunier, Boris Sichon, the Podorythmie Band, Gabriel Dubreuil, and the Jocelyn Petitt Band.

Plus, this year there’ll also be live performances from DJ Marc Fournier (Canada/BC) and other Canadian francophone world music groups with African roots:

ILAM (Senegal/Montreal)

Joe Amouzou (Togo/BC)

Jacky Essombé (Cameroon/BC)

Yoro Noukoussi (Benin/BC)

Talking drum Performance from Yoro Noukoussi on Myspace.

All St. Jean Baptiste Day celebrations are free and the event is open to all ages.

St. Jean Baptiste Day is celebrated every year on the birthday of John the Baptist, who the Bible says predicted the coming of a Messiah.

It has been celebrated by the francophone community in Canada since 1606.

Saint-Jean Baptiste Day Fête Francophone

When: Saturday, June 24

Time: From 10 am to 5 pm

Where: North Point and West Promenade, Canada Place – 999 Canada Place, Vancouver

Admission: Totally free!

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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