On Sunday, April 29, 2012, 3pm-5pm La Maison Duchamp (201 South Main Street) will host its official opening as the Global Cultural Center. In accordance with the Center’s mission, the ceremony is planned to coincide with a visit by an official delegation from Québec, Canada. The Minister of International Relations and Francophone Affairs, Madame Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, will lead this delegation. Madame Gagnon-Tremblay’s visit to Louisiana from April 28-May 1, 2012 is at the Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne’s invitation, which follows his visit to Québec, Canada in August 2011.

This is a rare opportunity to impress upon our Canadian friends the importance of the French and Creole culture and heritage that is unique to St. Martinville. Please join us in welcoming Madame Gagnon-Tremblay and her delegation and in celebrating the opening of the Global Cultural Center.

In 2011, the City of St. Martinville and Louisiane À La Carte officially partnered in their efforts to establish La Maison Duchamp as the Global Cultural Center. This was the result of a two year planning process during which Le Centre International de Lafayette provided guidance and support to the City of St Martinville. With this new global organization and its 15 partners in five countries, St. Martinville is in the unique position to help support and strengthen Louisiana’s international relations across the Francophone world.

Several of Louisiana’s international organizations have stressed the significance of this visit to Louisiana in general and our French-speaking community in particular. The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) believes this to be an important step in reinvigorating the relationship between Louisiana and Québec; the Minister’s inclusion of St. Martinville on her itinerary indicates the significance of the Global Cultural Center’s initiative to Québec and its population at large.

If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Fontenette at 337-394-2230 or Michelle Johnson at 337-394-2233.