Fans of French-Canadian culture can rejoice. Les Rendezvous de la Francophonie is a two-week celebration full of fun and film that is the largest Jasper has seen in recent memory.

“Basically it’s a bunch of activities that promote French culture,” said Laurent Bolduc, the president of the local chapter of the Association Canadienne-Francaise de l’Alberta. “It’s a Canada-wide thing,” he added. “This is the third time for us in Jasper, but this is the biggest year so far and we’re just getting more and more organized.”

A definite highlight for even the most Anglo among us will be the series of contemporary films being shown at the Parks Canada adminstration offices. This includes “C.R.A.Z.Y.” a Quebecois hit that won audience awards at film festivals last year and was Canada’s official entry at the Academy Awards. Most of these films are shown with English subtitles. The younger generation will have to have a working understanding of the French language if they want to enjoy the Tintin cartoons that will be screened for their pleasure. The intrepid boy reporter and his dog will preceed the regular films in the early evening.

One of the centrepiece events during the festival will be the cabane a sucre, planned for Pyramid Riding Stables on March 26. 

“It’s for families,” said Marie-Claude Faucher, the prinicpal at Ecole Desroches and one of the organizers of the festival. “We’ll have sleigh rides, music, food and games.” Not to mention maple sugar, and lots of it.

Food will play a major role in the proceedings, as the francophone community is cooking for one of the regular Sunday night dinners at the Activity Centre. On the menu: traditional fare from Quebec including pâté chinois (a type of shepherd’s pie) salade de choux (cole slaw)  and pouding chomeur, a sponge cake soaked in maple sugar.

There’s something more serious, as well, for families with anglophone and francophone parents. The ACFA is presenting a workshop on francophone education.

“Anyone who is wondering about that, if their kids are in the French system or the immersion program, we will talk about how to handle homework and all sorts of things,” said Faucher.

While it falls outside the national and international francophone weeks, a gala music performance will also be a highlight. Set for April 8, the Downstream Bar will host six Albertan performers who are entrants in a contest Faucher describes as “Francophone Idol” for Western Canada.

“This is to get practice before their real contest in Edmonton,” she said. “They are all singers and songwriters who play music as well. It will be interesting.”

Like Bolduc, Faucher is happy to see the local francophone group growing in activities and capabilities.

“This is the first year that we are celebrating this way,” she said. “It used to be only based on volunteering time in previous years. We are getting closer to really offering good services and events.”

The rendezvous kicks off with an opening wine and cheese reception tomorrow night (Friday) at 7 p.m. in the Old Fire Hall. For full schedule details, please see below.