Nova Scotia Piggy Com Nova Scotia Going strong since 1605 by Samuel McEvoy This summer in Nova Scotia eighty thousand people of Acadian origin will be going out to show North where they live and how they live as they celebrate the 375th anniversary of the founding of Port Royal by French explorers Slcur de and Samuel Champlain The Port Royal Habitation founded in is the oldest per manent white settlement north of Florida and served as a stepping stone for the colonization of North by France France lost her bid for a North Amencan empire following the fall of Quebec and Louisbourg in the late Today there are large num of French speaking people In Quebec Louisiana Ontario New Brunswick and Nova Scotia The Acadians of Nova Scotia will be toasting their rediscover ing their roots and singing the praises of life in There are two main areas of Acadian concentration the French Shore along the St Mary s Bay and Richmond County Cape Breton There are also im Acadian communities in Inverness County and in Yarmouth County These desccndents of hardy immigrant stock still speak a colourful language that goes back more than three hundred years they display a strong sense of community fostered by church and family and this summer they re welcoming people of Acadian ex traction to come home to Nova Scotia to celebrate Of course even if you don own a drop of Acadian blood you re invited the celebrations The Acadian festivals will be marked by airs exhibitions craft displays musical programs parades re enactments and sport ing events An Acadian village may appear ike any other Nova Scotia community but there are numer distinguishing signs Of course the language of the inhabitants is French flavoured with Acadian and English and phrases You will see the Acadian flag the French colour with a yellow star In the blue field Acadian music and food have a unique character and flavour of their own especially the food Each village has its own bakery specializing in home style rolls and breads This year women from the Chcticamp area have been working on a giant tapestry 30 feet square which will be displayed May 16 in Halifax Most Acadian communities will feature craft plays dunng their festivals with major exhibits in Cheticamp August 20 24 and at College Ste Anne Church Point July 7 13 On the grounds of College Sle Anne stands impressive St Marys Church believed to be tallest wooden church on the continent Probably the most out standing quality of these com munities is the genuine hospitality of the people They are and fnendly to visitors If you would like more information about Nova Scotia vacations write Department of Tourism 5151 Terminal Road Box Halifax B3J2R5