March is Le mois de la francophonie (Francophone Month) in Alberta, and local celebrations will continue all month long.
ACFA, the provincial organization that promotes French-language interests and culture, is marking its centennial during this year’s Francophone Month festivities. The organization was founded in December of 1905.
ACFA regional chapters in St Paul and Bonnyville – Cold Lake have been celebrating with flag-raisings at francophone schools, maple sugar shacks, and other activities.
Bonnyville held its annual cabane à sucre March 7, and extended the fun to area schools. The St. Paul “sugaring-off” is coming up March 22 with sleigh rides, maple sugar taffy, a hot meal, farmers market, and more.
The St. Paul ACFA chapter has also been bringing French-Canadian cultural celebrations to area schools.
“In the month of La Francophonie in the year of ‘La Francophonie’ designated by the province of Alberta, we celebrate 100 years of our French culture with ACFA and our surrounding communities,” said ACFA’s St Paul regional director Sylvie Smyl.
“Surrounded by our francophone schools and students was a great way to kick off this milestone. We send a huge thank you to Mayor Glenn Andersen; Danielle Larsen, president of Conseil Scolaire Centre Est; and Mme Lise Gratton, principal of École du Sommet for partaking in this celebration with us,” Smyl said.
Francophone communities across Alberta have teamed up to present a provincewide tour by Jake Matthews. Matthews, a Calgary-based musician, usually performs in English but he will display his Northern Ontario French heritage in a series of performances given in both French and English.
He will perform at Lakeland Brewery in St.Paul March 26, and at Beantrees Café in Cold Lake March 27.
ACFA’s Bonnyville – Cold Lake regional director Christine St-Laurent says the organization’s centennial is an important part of Francophone Month celebrations.
“Every event we do, we try to highlight the importance of celebrating the 100-year anniversary and what has transpired over the years,” St-Laurent said. “Creating francophone school boards, opening many francophone schools across the province, stuff like that is all things that have come about because of the ACFA and creating this organization that lobbies for our rights.”
RAM celebrates Alberta’s francophone culture
Experience Alberta’s rich and vibrant Francophone spirit. Chez nous: la francophonie de l’Alberta (English translation: At Home: Francophonie in Alberta) invites you to meet the people, listen to their stories, and celebrate the achievements of Francophones across the province.
Learn about Francophone communities around Alberta, from historic homesteads to contemporary community spaces. Get to know some of the artists, writers, educators, and leaders who left a lasting imprint on our province’s cultural and social landscape. Chez nous invites you to look closely, listen carefully and celebrate the enduring strength of Francophone communities in Alberta.
Chez nous: la francophonie de l’Alberta is open from March 26, 2026 – May 9, 2027, in the Human History Hall, North Gallery.
This exhibition is presented in French and English.
Découvrez la richesse et la vitalité de l’esprit franco-albertain. Chez nous : la francophonie de l’Alberta vous invite à faire connaissance avec des francophones, à écouter leurs récits et à saluer leurs réalisations à l’échelle de la province.
Plongez dans l’univers des communautés franco-albertaines, depuis les propriétés familiales ancestrales jusqu’aux lieux communautaires d’aujourd’hui. Faites la rencontre d’artistes, d’écrivains, de journalistes, d’éducateurs et de chefs de file qui ont laissé leur empreinte dans le paysage socioculturel de notre province. Chez nous vous invite à observer de près, à écouter attentivement et à saisir la force inébranlable des communautés franco-albertaines.
L’exposition Chez nous : la francophonie de l’Alberta se tiendra du 26 mars 2026 au 9 mai 2027 dans le hall de l’histoire humaine de la galerie Nord.
Cette exposition est offerte en français et en anglais.
ACFA chapters in St. Paul and Bonnyville raised the Franco-Albertan flag and celebrated at schools and in communities throughout the region. And there’s more to come! PHOTOS SUBMITTED
