moreluck
golden ticket member
24 June
Today is the national day of Québec, and an official state holiday there, with everyone getting the day off work.
Today is the national day of Québec, and an official state holiday there, with everyone getting the day off work.
The actual name for today is "St-Jean-Baptiste Day" (St John the Baptist Day) or Fete Nationale des Québecois (Québec National Celebration.) St John is the national patron saint.
The big parade is held in Montréal; smaller ones are held in other centres. On the last float in the parade, there is a blonde, curly-haired child wearing sheepskin (representing St John), carrying a cane and a lamb (this tradition started in 1866.) Other allegorical floats in the parade represent various tales from the nation's history. In older days, after the parade, people used to go back to their church halls for large meals, then music, dancing and bonfires ("feux de joie".)
Now, the churches have mostly disappeared from the celebrations, but the outdoor events remain with performances and sports throughout the country accompanied by flag-raising ceremonies. Picnics are held, and streets are closed off for street parties. In the evenings leading up to the day, there will be outdoor performances of song and dance, and fireworks and bonfires in some places.
The bonfires may hearken *way* back to mid-summer pre-Christian traditions. One tradition is that if you jump over a bonfire with the person you're sweet on, you'll be married within the year.
Celebrate today with poutine québecoise and tourtière (mind you, the Québecois may well be ordering pizza for themselves while you're doing that.)