Franco FUN includes special events for visitors of all ages on August 15 and 16, 2015
Additional Ontario’s 400th activities at the ROM include lectures, #FNLROM, and screenings
(Toronto, Ontario – August 13, 2015) – On the occasion of Samuel de Champlain’s birthday, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) announced further details of its summer-fall programming to celebrate the 400th anniversary of French presence in Ontario this morning at a press conference attended by the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs. The programming includes this weekend’s Franco FUN Big Weekend, featuring activities for visitors of all ages.
ROM Big Weekend / Franco FUN Programming Highlights
August 15 Francophone Storytelling: Passages Canada
A showcase of French artists, performers and artisans, including Maria Mihami, sharing her contribution to Passages Canada, a new storytelling initiative from Historica Canada.
1:30 pm, Bronfman Hall
August 15 Mini TFO Live
Come and play in the colourful universe of Mini TFO with hosts Josée and Lexie. Enjoy songs and nursery rhymes during this live theatre presentation.
1:00 and 3:00 pm, Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre
August 15 and 16 ROM Global Stage of Francophones
International live musical performances with entertainers including the Métis Fiddler Trio, Amara Kante and the West African Musical Ensemble.
Various times, Bronfman Hall
The ROM’s Ontario’s 400th celebrations also include a display of Champlain’s travel journal featuring a second edition of Champlain’s 1613 Voyages journal, first printed in 1627. The remarkably well-preserved diary features original text from Champlain, with passages and illustrations recorded between 1603 and 1632, as well as the famed explorer’s personal account of activities in Ontario at the time.
“Considered by many as the father of New France, it is quite fitting that we announce today, on his birthday, an exciting series of activities that will enable Ontarians and visitors from around the world to understand the legacy of Samuel de Champlain in a fun and interactive way. Ontario is pleased to support the ROM’s Ontario’s 400th celebrations, which will provide an even greater opportunity to discover the remarkable journey of Ontario’s francophone community,” said Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs.
“The ROM is delighted to share in the Ontario’s 400th celebrations and commemorate the anniversary of Samuel de Champlain’s arrival to our province. With a variety of programming ranging from Champlain’s journal to the appearance of contemporary artists, visitors of all ages will have an opportunity to experience Ontario’s diverse Franco-Ontarian cultural heritage,” said Dr. Mark Engstrom, Interim Director and CEO of the ROM.
Other ROM Ontario’s 400th Activities
A ROM Speaks lecture, Champlain: the Man, the Explorer, the Enigma, on September 22 brings together an international group of Champlain scholars to discuss Canada’s famed explorer. Guests include Dr. Jose Antonio Brandao of the History Department of Western Michigan University, Chief Kirby Whiteduck of the Pikwakanagan First Nation, and others.
Also this fall is a ROM Daytime lecture on September 24 with Dr. Jean-Bernard Caron speaking on spectacular fossil finds in the Canadian Rockies and a special edition of #FNLROM on October 23 featuring Franco-Ontarian and Indigenous Fashion.
The ROM is a signature partner of Ontario’s 400th Commemoration, celebrating four centuries of Francophone contributions to social, cultural, economic and political development in Ontario. As part of the overall budget for the Commemoration, the Ontario Government granted $80K to the Royal Ontario Museum to add a francophone-themed component to its summer programming in recognition of the 400th.
Franco FUN Big Weekend details are available at https://www.rom.on.ca/en/activities-programs/events-calendar/francofun.
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CONTACT
Wendy Vincent, Publicist
416.586.5547
SOCIAL MEDIA
Like: ROM Facebook
Tweet: @ROMToronto #atROM #mON400
Watch: ROM YouTube
Franco FUN at the ROM is presented in partnership with Alliance Française and Groupe Média TFO.
About the ROM
The Royal Ontario Museum is an agency of the Government of Ontario. Opened in 1914, Canada’s largest museum of natural history and world cultures has six million objects in its collections and galleries showcasing art, archaeology and natural science. The ROM is the largest field research institution in the country, and a world leader in research areas from biodiversity, palaeontology, and earth sciences to archaeology, ethnology and visual culture - originating new information towards a global understanding of historical and modern change in culture and environment. For 24-hour information in English and French, please call 416.586.8000 or visit the ROM’s web site at www.rom.on.ca. Tickets are available at www.rom.on.ca