Evangeline's Odyssey Travels to Museum
Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie, is the romantic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. It is a fictional story of Evangeline, her fianc‚ Gabriel, and the tragic events of the Acadian deportation of 1755. Written 152 years ago, the poem made its writer famous. The Evangeline who Longfellow created became an almost mythical figure that influenced the world's perception of the Acadian people.
Discover how Evangeline inspired writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, and filmmakers in a travelling exhibit, titled Evangeline's Odyssey, at the Museum of Natural History, 1747 Summer St., Halifax, from Jan. 10 to Mar. 1. The exhibit was produced by Le Muse‚ Acadien de l'Universit‚ de Moncton in 1997 to mark the 150th anniversary of Longfellow's poem, and is in both English and French.
See an amazing array of items bearing the name "Evangeline": from bicycles, flour, butter, and motor oil to table syrup, eggs, and toothpaste. An Evangeline pop cooler and Ganong chocolate bar bearing her image are among the items on exhibit, and children will be able to try on the various Evangeline costumes.
Visitors will also see portraits of her fictional face and costume, and hear the music and words written about her. Paintings, etchings, a folk art carving and a miniature doll show many artists' visions of the Acadian maiden. A small bronze statue of Evangeline--a predecessor of the larger statue now at Grand Pr‚, and a stunning marble bust of the heroine produced by Tiffany and Co., New York in the 1880s will also be displayed. Why has her character endured? Heroic, romantic and tragic -- Evangeline not only wove her way into the world's general idea of Acadian culture, but into hearts and minds of the Acadian people.
The name "Evangeline" is a widely known symbol of courage and loyalty, a connection not lost on companies having products to sell. Even tourism routes in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island bear the name of this fictional heroine.
The public is invited to discover more about the fascinating story of Evangeline. Call for details on the museum's program of talks, films and entertainment which continues throughout the exhibition.