Bonne Saint-Jean (monsieur Harper)!
Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste day a tous et toutes les Quebecois et Quebecoise.
So, I wasn't going to comment on Stephen Harper making an ass of himself at Saint-Jean Baptiste celebration in St-Joseph-de-Beauce yesterday, June 24th, but, since he is "challenging" me to "look at history for the true meaning of St-Jean-Baptiste Day", well I think I will thank you very much.
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste day has been celebrated in Quebec for the past four hundred years but the meaning of the celebration changed coursed in 1834...Prior to this date, it was a very old solstice celebration brought over from Europe. In the many nations that celebrated it, people lit fires to celebrate the summer solstice.
It is not known why Saint-John-the-Baptiste became the Saint Patron of Quebec. Some say it is because many Quebecois and a half are name after him - must we mention here that, until the "Revolution Tranquille" Quebec was a pretty religiously influenced Province? - but at any rate, it is the name that was given to the National Society of French-Canadians which was founded in 1834. The founding was celebrated 24 Jun 1834, and every year after that.
On the other end, Canada Day, was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day. There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917.
So really, it gives you a very typical contrast between the Frenchies, who had a celebration before it was given some political meaning, and who have been celebrating, since a time lost in Antiquity, and the Anglos who have had a great meaning for their national day...but a lapse of 50 years between the time it was established and the time they actually started celebrating!
You got a point there Monsieur Harper, Geez yeah, It's celebration of the 24 of June isn't really on an arbitrary day, it isn't solely politic. That is very deplorable isn't it?
I wonder if it has ever occur to him that we actually lost the war against the English, and that kind of scraps the idea of making that day a f_ celebration. Oh, and while we're at it, I guess Quebec shouldn't be called a nation, cuz, we really aren't. Just like the Bosnian, the Palestinian, and all the other non-nations freakin' trouble makers. What's their problem? Why can't they just like...disapear? - hopefully you've realized I was been sarcastic.
I am not so fond of Politics. I think that politics come second. Culture and people gathering together comes first. This is why it doesn't really fazed me that our celebration isn't solidly anchored in politics. The only thing that matter is that there is a great gathering of people who share a certain same identity, and THEY all think it's their national day celebration right now.
So, I wasn't going to comment on Stephen Harper making an ass of himself at Saint-Jean Baptiste celebration in St-Joseph-de-Beauce yesterday, June 24th, but, since he is "challenging" me to "look at history for the true meaning of St-Jean-Baptiste Day", well I think I will thank you very much.
The Saint-Jean-Baptiste day has been celebrated in Quebec for the past four hundred years but the meaning of the celebration changed coursed in 1834...Prior to this date, it was a very old solstice celebration brought over from Europe. In the many nations that celebrated it, people lit fires to celebrate the summer solstice.
It is not known why Saint-John-the-Baptiste became the Saint Patron of Quebec. Some say it is because many Quebecois and a half are name after him - must we mention here that, until the "Revolution Tranquille" Quebec was a pretty religiously influenced Province? - but at any rate, it is the name that was given to the National Society of French-Canadians which was founded in 1834. The founding was celebrated 24 Jun 1834, and every year after that.
On the other end, Canada Day, was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day. There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917.
So really, it gives you a very typical contrast between the Frenchies, who had a celebration before it was given some political meaning, and who have been celebrating, since a time lost in Antiquity, and the Anglos who have had a great meaning for their national day...but a lapse of 50 years between the time it was established and the time they actually started celebrating!
You got a point there Monsieur Harper, Geez yeah, It's celebration of the 24 of June isn't really on an arbitrary day, it isn't solely politic. That is very deplorable isn't it?
I wonder if it has ever occur to him that we actually lost the war against the English, and that kind of scraps the idea of making that day a f_ celebration. Oh, and while we're at it, I guess Quebec shouldn't be called a nation, cuz, we really aren't. Just like the Bosnian, the Palestinian, and all the other non-nations freakin' trouble makers. What's their problem? Why can't they just like...disapear? - hopefully you've realized I was been sarcastic.
I am not so fond of Politics. I think that politics come second. Culture and people gathering together comes first. This is why it doesn't really fazed me that our celebration isn't solidly anchored in politics. The only thing that matter is that there is a great gathering of people who share a certain same identity, and THEY all think it's their national day celebration right now.
posted by minetto at 11:11 AM
1 Comments:
A very happy Saint Jean Baptiste to you Minetto and I understand your homesickness for this time of year. From now until the end of summertime truly does encompass the very best of all Quebec has to offer. although when I think of it..we sure know how to celebrate in the wintertime too. I don't think there's another place in North America as culturally diverse & rich as Quebec is. I'd be hard-pressed to even come up with any place close. Perhaps New Orleans..but only a little bit.
And touché on the Harper comments..is he a true definition of the word 'goofball' or what. I won't even pretend to understand where he's coming from. He's so far removed from my way of thinking..that for me to try would be an exercise in futility. Suffice to say he made even more of an ass of himself by refusing to acknowledge a nation among nations.
At least Jack Layton made some sense.
Bonjour and a big kiss Minetto..from la nation Québécoise.
Mary
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