Acadian Flag Licence Plates Promote Vibrant Culture

NOTE: A list of the 10 community associations and their projects follows this release.

Nova Scotians are supporting the province's rich Acadian and francophone culture by getting Acadian flag licence plates and donating to the Vive l'Acadie Community Fund.

Funds collected from the sale and renewal of 496 Acadian flag licence plates between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014 will support community cultural projects in the amount of $24,800.

"The Acadian and francophone community is very proud of their crucial part in our province's heritage, and they're showing it by portraying the Acadian flag on their vehicles," said Acadian Affairs Minister Michel Samson. "Communities are making good use of the Vive l'Acadie fund by putting it toward a variety of events that highlight the province's vibrant Acadian and francophone culture.

"I wish the entire Acadian and francophone community great success with this year's Vive l'Acadie initiatives."

Donations from the sale and renewal of the licence plates are returned to the Acadian and francophone communities from where they came. The funds go to 10 established regional Acadian and francophone associations that are members of la Fédération acadienne de la Nouvelle-Écosse, and are mandated to promote the development of their communities. The funds will support activities that preserve Acadian and francophone culture and heritage such as artistic workshops, musical concerts, heritage conservation, theatre productions, and festivals.

"La Société acadienne de Clare uses the funds received from the Acadien licence plates for projects which enhance the artistic sector in Clare," said Elaine Thimot, executive director. "For example, the organization of the annual Baie Sainte-Marie artist Rendez-vous would not be possible without this funding."

To learn how to get an Acadian flag licence plate, go to http://accessns.ca/acadian-flag-plate . Follow government in French on Twitter @GouvNE.

The following is a list of the 10 associations using the funding for cultural projects in their communities:

• L'Association francophone de la Vallée: $1,750 for Franco-fête
• L'Association du Centre communautaire de la Rive-Sud: $900 to present two French films
• Le Centre communautaire Étoile de l'Acadie (Sydney): $1,250 for the ceremonies for les Jeux de l'Acadie and funding for a dance troupe's tour
• Le Centre communautaire francophone de Truro: $1,050 for a musical event
• Le Conseil acadien de Par-en-Bas: $2,400 for the Festival du bon temps
• Le Conseil communautaire du Grand-Havre (HRM): $9,850 for several events including a volunteer recognition event, celebrations for National Acadian day in Halifax and Chezzetcook, and the Festival des cultures francophones
• La Picasse, Centre communautaire culturel (Petit-de-Grat): $1,050 a visual-arts workshop to be held in French
• La Société Saint-Pierre (Chéticamp): $1,300 for an event highlighting Acadian culture and celebrating the 130th anniversary of the Acadian flag
• La Société acadienne de Clare: $4,750 for a workshop focusing on the promotion of the region's Acadian and francophone artists.
• La Société acadienne Sainte-Croix (Pomquet): $500 for an event to celebrate National Acadian Day