Traditional Music and Folklore Archives

What is Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day?

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is a national holiday that began in the province of Québec celebrated by French-Canadians, Québécois, and Franco-Americans. Celebrated on June 24th, this holiday honors the traditional feast day of St. John the Baptist. However, the religious background of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day has become less prevalent in favor of a more secular approach.

What we know as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day today comes more from French-Canadian businessman Ludger Duvernay. In 1834, Duvernay attended a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in Montréal and became inspired by the display of cultural pride. So, he got the idea of French-Canadians having a similar holiday, and shortly after, Duvernay formed the Saint Jean-Baptiste Society. The first official Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day was celebrated on June 24, 1834.

Also called “La St-Jean” and “Fête nationale du Québec,” the holiday is mainly known today as a celebration of Québec Francophone culture. Think of how we celebrate the Fourth of July in the U.S. with parades, family get-togethers, barbeques, picnics, bonfires, and fireworks; that’s how our Northern cousins kick off Fête nationale!

An Introduction to French-Canadian Folklore & Franco-American Culture

By Melody Desjardins

On March 3, 2023

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Franco-American Stories, Quebec, Traditional Dress and Folk Costume, Traditional Music and Folklore, Traditions

Salut, everyone! I’m giving a virtual Valley Talk presentation with the Museum of Work and Culture on March 5th at 1:30pm Eastern Time. Register for the talk for a deep dive into multiple aspects of French-Canadian folklore, from storytelling to dance to music to visuals.

Valley Talks: Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore

To prepare for the presentation, let’s do an introduction to French-Canadian folklore and what it means for Franco-American culture.

In this post, I’ll highlight folklore as a whole, whether French-Canadians have visual culture, French-Canadian folklore, and whether we’re too modernized for these practices today.

Check out my virtual Valley Talk to learn about these ideas and concepts in more depth during my presentation!

Simple Outfits Inspired By Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Wear Blue And White!

By Melody Desjardins

On June 22, 2022

In All Posts, Franco-American Stories, Quebec, Traditional Dress and Folk Costume, Traditional Music and Folklore

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day is upon us on June 24th, the national holiday celebrating French-Canadian and Québecois culture throughout Québec. French-Canadians also celebrate this holiday in other Canadian provinces and even in the United States.

These SJB festivities go the extra mile in Québec, with people donning extravagant blue-and-white face paint and decorative accessories. There are also plenty of creative costumes highlighting the colors and fleur-de-lys of their province’s flag.

So, how can Franco-Americans recreate these iconic looks for ourselves on SJB? We may not have extravagant parades, but we can make our own blue-and-white looks for this holiday!

Is it Too Late? Establishing New Symbols of Franco-American Culture

By Melody Desjardins

On April 30, 2022

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Franco-American Stories, Quebec, Traditional Dress and Folk Costume, Traditional Music and Folklore, Traditions, Women's History

If I showed you a beer stein, most likely, you would know what culture is represented by it. You would look at it and gather from what you’ve seen in mainstream American culture what it is to celebrate German heritage.

You’ve at least heard of Oktoberfest celebrations, got news of the White House acknowledging German-American Day on October 6th every year, and have seen the traditional Bavarian dress worn at festivals.

I grew up in the Midwest hearing of Oktoberfest celebrations with people dancing in lederhosen and dirndl while balancing pints of German beer.

Having some German heritage, I admire these festivals’ dedication to keeping the German-American culture alive in the Midwest, especially when you consider the history of the German language taking a massive hit during times of war.

The language became lost to the German-Americans, so their descendants speak English but deeply love their culture.

Discovering Our Story in the Franco-American Music Scene

By Melody Desjardins

On May 8, 2021

In All Posts, Franco-American History, Franco-American Stories, Quebec, Traditional Music and Folklore, Traditions

As I continue the journey down the Franco-American rabbit hole, something I’ve become more interested in has been the traditional folk music and the modern interpretations of our history, language, and culture.

Although I can’t pick up on all of the French in the songs yet, the music itself is enjoyable to tap my foot to and let my mind wander into a folksy Franco-American story. I can’t dance to save my life but when the steady rhythm of the podorythmie and smooth melodies intertwine to create an upbeat sound, I can imagine dancing along in a room full of other people dancing to the same songs.

Yes, I’m a sucker for the Meryton Assembly dance scene in Pride and Prejudice. How would anyone guess? And obviously that other dance scene but that’s another story.

This traditional folksy-style music creates so much vibrant energy, even if you’re listening to it alone. So when I recently discovered that Franco-American music is an actual genre, I jumped right in and frantically searched for more.

Moderne Francos

All About the Franco-American Experience

Category: Traditional Music and Folklore

A History of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day in the United States

What is Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day?

An Introduction to French-Canadian Folklore & Franco-American Culture

Simple Outfits Inspired By Saint-Jean-Baptiste: Wear Blue And White!

Is it Too Late? Establishing New Symbols of Franco-American Culture

Discovering Our Story in the Franco-American Music Scene

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