Don’t have any plans
for Saint Jean Baptiste day?? Want to have some Flair and fun this weekend??
Check out the amazing ways by which you can turn your Boring Saint Jean into an
Iconic one-Brought to you by PartsAvatar!
Happy Saint Jean!! It
won’t be a good idea to ditch all the celebrations of this traditional French
festival and to keep glued to your television at home! Step out as a lot of fun
is waiting for you this June!
Awesome parties,
community picnics, iconic parade and a super giant and no holds barred free
music show is going to be there. You are in luck! Everyone is going to be
celebrating with you!
PartsAvatar suggests
some spectacular ways in which you can make your boring Saint Jean a super
exciting one. If Saint Jean is not known to you, then you need a brief
introduction.
Origins
of Saint Jean Baptiste Day
Saint Jean baptiste day
originated from celebrations of summer solstice, an ancient pagan tradition in
which fires were lit to celebrate light on the longest day of the year. Held
annually on 24 June, the Fête nationale du Québec or Saint Jean Baptiste day
has been a statutory holiday in Québec since 1925. It’s also a day of
celebration for French- Canadians throughout the country and around the U.S.
The history of Saint
Jean Baptiste day goes back hundreds of years. Originally, it was a day to
remember St. Jean the Baptist, a Christian saint. St. Jean Baptiste is the one
who is credited with the baptism of baby Jesus in the river Jordan. But that
changed in the spring of 1834. A French Canadian businessman named Ludger
Duvernay attended a St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Montreal.
He thought that French
Canadians should organize a similar day to honour their own heritage. So, he formed
St. Baptist society and the holiday was first observed on June 24 of that year.
Saint Jean Baptiste Day
was celebrated on and off for years until it finally became an official holiday
in Québec in 1925. French Canadians living outside Québec also celebrate the
holiday leading many non French Canadians living in Québec to consider it an
ethnic holiday instead of provincial holiday.
Here’s How to make most
of the holiday!
Embrace
the holiday’s hereditary roots
The most important
thing to celebrate a festival with great zeal to is to know its reason. Without
a reason, you won’t be able to enjoy its real fun! Do remember the reason for
Saint Jean Baptiste day before starting celebrations. This French Canadian
holiday has evolved to become a time to commemorate different cultures,
nationalities and ethnic groups represented across the provinces.
The flag of the Québec
and the white fleur de lis that is found on the flag are both symbols of the
holiday. So, many people wear blue and white clothing when attending
celebrations.
Don’t
forget to light the candles at your party!
Fire is an eternal
symbol of this holiday as St. Jean pays homage to the light. Light up your St.
Jean baptiste party with lots of strand lights and candles. With this, pay
homage to Saint Jean Baptiste and also give a glowing environment to your bash.
If you have small children and pets in your house then it is better to use
flameless candles for their safety.
It is the perfect time
for a roaring bonfire to honour this event.
Find
your very own little Saint Jean
Saint Jean is the
symbol of this special time of the year and should be honored at your
festivity. Parades are very popular to pay tribute to this important day. If
you are in Quebec, then don’t give it a miss as its worth watching!
French Canadians
parades often feature individuals impersonating this saint which might be an
option for your own party. It used to be a tradition in Montreal and Quebec for
a little boy to imitate Saint Jean in the parade but it faded in 1960s.
In the parade, you can
notice a sheep following Saint Jean and it is also seen as a traditional symbol
of this festival.
Light
the Bonfire!
Many people start their
celebrations with this traditional custom of lighting a bonfire. Bonfires are
communal and help us warm in chilly nights. Community gathers to cook, relax,
sing and dance and to celebrate this great festival.
Québécois begin their celebration
of the occasion of the night before with bonfires, dancing and the singing of
the traditional folk songs.
Multicultural
Menu
If you are hosting a
party at home, then it’s a perfect time to try a unique recipe with some
traditional items. Freshly baked loaves, lamb dish, fresh fruits and veggies
from your garden and potluck along with some beer can be served on the holiday
table as traditional menu.
This holiday has
evolved to become a time to celebrate the multicultural traditions and wide
range of ethnicity present in Canada. Don’t be afraid to offer, Mexican and
Italian cuisine with Mediterranean touch on your table.
Don’t
miss the Parade
Parades mark a major highlight
of Saint Jean Baptiste day celebrations. During this time of year, Parades are
a big deal in Canada. Attendees are most welcome to walk with the parade.
Along with the parade,
immerse yourself in the aboriginal culture of Canada during International Pow
Wow in Wendake during this weekend.
Events
to Enjoy in Montreal!
The défilé de la Fête nationale is a long standing
annual parade celebrating the history of Quebec culture. Surprise gifts are
often handed to the onlookers who get their early. Along with the parade which
can be enjoyed by all ages, there are often interactive stations along the
roadway as well.
Without Le grand Spectacle
there is always going to be unfinished celebration. Get the fun of this vibrant
free outdoor concert organized every year in Montreal on 23 or 24 June.
Districts across Montreal
celebrate la Saint Jean on June 23 and June 24, 2017 with fireworks, bonfires,
face paintings, games for kids, food, live shows and more.
Don’t forget to visit the Gay village. Check out the full schedule of events at http://www.fetenationale-montreal.qc.ca/.
Bottom line
If you are in Canada
especially in Quebec or Montreal, you are quite fortunate to witness this
special festival. So still thinking of giving it a miss?
If you want to celebrate
your day over drinks, then for your information, many people choose this day to
imbibe in the expensive array of Canadian beers available! It’s a wonderful
time to hang out with your loved ones, feast and celebrate the French culture.
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