News release

Sharing Acadian Culture and Heritage With Visitors

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE--Sharing Acadian Culture and Heritage With Visitors


Nova Scotians and visitors will have a new place to celebrate Acadian culture and heritage. Plans are underway to establish a new Acadian interpretive centre in Church Point to tell the story of the region's rich Acadian culture and heritage.

The province is investing $30,000 in the interpretive centre, which will be located in the Université Sainte-Anne library/theatre building. The announcement was made at the annual Clare Tourism Conference today, April 1, by Minister of Acadian Affairs Chris d'Entremont, on behalf of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald.

"This centre will celebrate Acadian culture and heritage through interpretive programming and live entertainment," said Mr. d'Entremont. "It also will complement other tourist attractions in southwestern Nova Scotia, which will encourage visitors to spend more time in the region."

The project will be led by the Municipality of Clare. The province's one-time grant will be used to redesign and enhance the first floor of the library/theatre building so it can welcome visitors on a more regular basis. It also will support the development of bilingual interpretive displays which portray music, dance, theatre, art and other aspects of Acadian history and culture.

"Establishing an Acadian interpretive centre has been a major priority for the local tourism industry," said Larry Peach, tourism director, Municipality of Clare. "It will help us to further develop the region as a tourist destination."

Nova Scotia's 2005 Tourism Plan identified a need to develop interpretive and educational programming related to Acadian culture and heritage.

Today's investment is part of $15 million in funding announced by Mr. MacDonald in December 2004. That funding is designed to help boost Nova Scotia's tourism industry in the areas of marketing, product development, and regional tourism initiatives.