March 2, 2011

Joshua Creek Public School took to the warm confines of its gymnasium on Feb. 16 to celebrate Quebec City’s long and chilly tradition, Carnaval.

Staging its own festival, called French Café, the day’s event helped Joshua Creek celebrate French as a Second Language. There was face painting, caricature drawing, French story reading, music and art pieces – all student led and/or student produced. Students also ordered croissants and beverages at the 4th annual café. Even the Carnaval mascot, Bonhomme, made a ‘visit’, welcoming students, staff and parents.

“The students learned to appreciate French as an official language in Canada, and they learned about French speaking countries around the world,” said Michelle LeBlanc, the school’s Junior Core French teacher, noting the event is tied into the Ontario curriculum for Core French for Grades 4-8.

The first large winter Carnival in Quebec City took place in 1894. Interrupted by two wars, then the economic crisis of 1929, the Carnival was held sporadically until the second half of the century. In 1954, in the context of economic development, the festival was re-born. That year, Bonhomme was created as the event’s mascot.