The Manitoba government has announced that it is providing $325,000 to Festival du Voyageur as it celebrates its 57th year, showcasing Manitoba’s rich francophone heritage.
“Festival du Voyageur is not only a cultural highlight, but also an economic driver for Manitoba,” said Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy. “With events that draw well over 75,000 visitors year-round, this festival is an opportunity to connect with our province’s heritage through music, storytelling, historical interpretations and more. We look forward to seeing you all there!”
Since 1969, Festival du Voyageur has highlighted Manitoba’s francophone roots, becoming a beacon of cultural pride. The festival runs from Feb. 13 to 22 at Whittier Park and other locations in St. Boniface, celebrating Manitoba’s diverse francophone cultures and fur-trading history.
“Festival du Voyageur recognizes the founding role of francophone Manitobans in this province and is an opportunity to highlight our province’s bilingual history,” said Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard, minister responsible for francophone affairs. “Our government is proud to celebrate another year of Festival du Voyageur in the heart of Canada.”
Festival du Voyageur has grown into Western Canada’s largest winter festival. It celebrates Canada’s fur-trading past and the Manitoba francophone community’s renowned ‘joie de vivre’ through entertainment, arts and crafts, music and historical interpretation, the minister noted.
“Culture is built through connection and sustained through language. Each day during Festival du Voyageur, we are reminded that culture is actively shaped by how we listen, speak and experience joie de vivre with one another,” said Breanne Lavalee-Heckert, executive director, Festival du Voyageur. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the Manitoba government, whose investment enables us to continue this important work and strengthen the connections that hold our communities together.”
For more information about Festival du Voyageur, visit heho.ca.
