Carnaval d'Hiver 2013 at Trafalgar a big success
By Contributor
The Nelson Chapter of Canadian Parents for French (CPF) hosted the fifth annual (reinstated) Carnaval d’Hiver at Trafalgar School grounds last Friday (February 1) with help from sister organization AFKO (Association des francophones des Kootenays Ouest).
It was a beautiful star lit evening and Carnaval was enjoyed by about 150 Nelson area French language students and their families.
Participants spoke some French, enjoyed the French Canadian entertainment by les beaux chanteurs d’AFKO, danced with Bonhomme, had snacks from l’Ecole Sentiers Alpins and maple syrup on snow from la cabane à sucre, and worked off steam playing broomball and hockey.
It was a pleasure to hear the welcome address from MLA Michelle Mungall in French demonstrating how wonderful it is to communicate in both of Canada’s official languages.
Carnaval celebrates all speakers of French including new French language students, those who speak and understand very little or “just the basics” and native born francophones in the community.
It is fun to practice what French you know, possibly it is what you learned at school many years ago, and there is always an opportunity to learn a new French word for the day.
All funds raised at Carnaval support student French language learning .
The event was financially supported by Nelson and District Credit Union, FortisBC and Canadian Parents for French BC & Yukon Branch socio-cultural grant funded by the Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Education, and the Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage/Patrimoine canadien.
Carnaval d’Hiver at Trafalgar kicked off the start of French Immersion Celebration wee in BC.
Becoming a member of Canadian Parents for French is most welcomed and available at: http://www.cpf.bc.ca/site3/index.php/join-cpf, showing continued support for French language learning.
Merci et Thank you to the Nelson community for generous donation of doorprizes:
· Annie’s Boutique
· Au Soleil Levant
· BiBO
· CPF BC and Yukon Branch
· Main Street Diner
· Village Ski Hut
We are working to have some photos available for viewing – the likely place will be www.afko.ca
