Today is saint-Jean-Baptiste day but it felt like any other day, here in Ontario, apart from an article in the Citizen (of all places - they are usually not too francophile) talking about 41 reasons to rejoice at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste and sending greetings to "have a good one". For the first since I moved here in 1990, I felt a little saddened by that fact. That was my warm and fuzzy feeling for the day... There were no flags, no reminder of that special day. I felt a tinge of envy towards those fortunate enough to be annoyed by the noise or resentful of the celebratory mood. You can afford to not fully appreciate the companionship when it is so freely given.
Or maybe I was just in a melancholy mood.
I sent a few emails to friends in Montreal, asking if or how they were celebrating. No answer. Were they out? Was it a no-brainer?A non-issue? What's the deal? Sigh.
We had a good dinner (no BBQ because of the impending rain, a toast to highlight the day, and that was it.
So - to all expats - Joyeuse Saint-Jean-Baptiste!
English Cucumbers
10 months ago
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2 comments:
This year would have been my FIRST St-Jean-Baptiste day in Quebec... but I happened to be on vacation in Ontario!
I'm slowly embracing my new province and the cultural differences I've noticed (speaking French is still in the future, but I'm optimistic).
But I don't know anything about the historical/cultural background of St-Jean-Baptiste day. Why is it significant in QC? How is it typically celebrated? More importantly, do you have any favourite memories of the occasion? :-)
When I lived in Montreal proper, there were free concerts where quebecois artists would sing traditional pop songs. At the height of the nationalist movement, those concerts were very patriotic (but I was "too young" to attend so I have to rely on my brother's recollections on this and say those were the good old days). Basically, there is a certain lightness, drinking and partying and general good mood all around. During the day, there is a Saint-Jean-Baptiste parade (which I never attended)... Next year, you'll get to appreciate it, I hope!
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