Officials with the Congres Mondial Acadien (CMA/World Acadian Congress) 2014 have completed the third open application period for family reunions and are within striking distance of reaching the goal of 120 family gatherings for the August 2014 celebrations. Nineteen new families have been added to the list, bringing the total to 108 families who will all converge on Acadia of Lands and Forest in August 2014.
The reunion gatherings are expected to each draw between a few hundred, and as many as a few thousand participants to Acadia of the Lands and Forests (comprised of northern Maine, northwest New Brunswick, and the neighboring region of Quebec) 18 months from now. The family reunions are the key factor at each CMA, helping to draw more than 50,000 visitors from 44 countries who bring with them an estimated economic impact of more than $55 million.
CMA 2014 President, Émilien Nadeau, is pleased that the inclusive aspect sought by the organization, with respect to family reunions, is beginning to take shape.
“In 2014, we will welcome and celebrate ‘Acadia of the World’; moreover, we are delighted to see that great Acadian families as well as those from other lineages will join us in opening a window on the world during this event!” Nadeau said.
In turn, Maine international president and chair of the committee responsible for family reunions, Jason Parent, is convinced that the goal of securing 120 family reunions will be exceeded before the CMA 2014’s opening event. “We are very excited at the willingness and enthusiasm of the families who are signing up to host a reunion in our international region. The family reunions are a critical factor in the success of any Congres Mondial Acadien,” Parent said. “I am confident that the first CMA held in an international region will long be remembered for both the record number of families holding reunions and the unique and outstanding hospitality of people throughout Acadia of the Lands and Forests.”
In 2014, family gatherings will undeniably fill the air in Acadia of Lands and Forests as 36 families will celebrate in New Brunswick, 53 in Maine and 19 in Témiscouata. In addition to the family reunions and more than 300 events planned for the 2014 CMA, Acadians and all who attend the 17-days of activity will have the opportunity to come together and debate common issues, at numerous seminars and conferences organized for that time.
Families wishing to get together during the CMA 2014 have until Sunday, September 1, 2013, to submit their nomination for the fourth round of applications. The registration form is available on the CMA 2014’s website at http://cma2014.com/en_renctontres-de-familles.
