Carnaval (S) K-3

Fête des Rois (R) K-3

Carnaval (S) K-3

Carnaval de Québec (février)

The annual Carnaval de Québec in the provincial capital is a ten-day festival in February. It is based on a tradition dating from the 17th century when a period of feasting and celebrating was introduced to ease the hardships of Canada's winter season. Abandoned for many years, the Carnaval was revived by a group of merchants in 1954 and has continued every year since that time. It is now famous and people come from all over the world to participate.

During Carnaval, Québec is divided into seven "dukedoms" each of which is given a historical name. Sports competitions between dukedoms draw a great number of participants. The evening of the Carnaval Ball marks the crowning of the queen, who is selected from the seven duchesses by means of a name draw. Bonhomme Carnaval symbolizes the festivities. He is seven-foot-tall, jolly snowman, who wears a red toque and a special woven belt, the ' ceinture fléchée, which was the type of belt worn by the first Canadian trappers and explorers. Bonhomme arrives prior to the Carnaval period, each year by a different means of conveyance: one year he may land in a helicopter and the next he may drive up on a snowmobile. The mayor presents Bonhomme with the keys to the city, a gesture signifying that it is he who will be the leader in the joyous days to follow. Throughout the days of the festivities Bonhomme is present, presiding at almost every event. He also visits homes for senior citizens and hospitals, so the Carnaval spirit of joy can be spread to all. On the last evening of the Carnaval celebrations Bonhomme waves a sad farewell and disappears, not to reappear until Carnaval begins again the following year.

Each year the program may vary, but in general there are parades, ice sculpting, ice sports, a peewee hockey tournament, and a daringly dangerous car and motorcycle event. Everywhere is heard the "Chanson du Carnaval". The activities and displays include:

a fireworks display at the opening ceremonies

an auto rally that takes place on ice, and in which drivers follow instructions through a predetermined course;

cross-country races led by Bonhomme

An ice sculpture competition in which international artists and locals compete in the creation of fabulaous ice csulptures in rue Ste. Thérèse, la basse ville (lower Québec); vehicle traffic is blocked, and builders spray sculptured snow to complete ice formations which may represent people, animals, or anything the imagination can devise;

a canoe race across the St. Lawrence, through the ice floes between Lévies and old Québec, viewed by throngs of yelling spectators who line the shores; half riding, half pushing their steel-braced canoes, working against ice and current, the crews drag their craft over chunks of ice and across stretches of open water, sometimes falling into the freezing river; those teams that fall may have to be rescued by a government ice-breaker ship which stands by to assist.

Elementary French as a Second Language RESOURCE BOOK, British Columbia Ministry of Education, 1984.

Soap Sculpture

YOU WILL NEED:

2 cups soap flakes
1/2 cup hot water
Powder paint for colouring, if desired
Aluminum foil
Electric Mixer

1.	(Adult) add hot water to soap flakes and beat with mixer until stiff. A little paint may be added to the flakes for colouring.
2.	dip hands into warm water before moulding with this mixture. If sculpture is made on aluminum foil it is easy to move. Soap sculpture dries to a porous texture and lasts for weeks. Collage materials may be stuck into it. On pine cones, it looks just like snow.

Children's Arts and Crafts