** Nocturne Halifax: A Celebration of Art or Exclusion?**
Nocturne Halifax, a celebrated Visual Arts Nova Scotia event on the city’s October cultural calendar, promises a vibrant showcase of artistic talent, attracting visitors and artists from all walks of life. However, for Contemporary French Acadian artists, this festival has always been a source of disappointment as they continue to find themselves on the fringes of an event that should ideally be an inclusive celebration of diverse voices. Yet, it remains a very Insular close clic of politically connected Oligarch of culture and their politically connected friends in the know of Kjibuktuk power and politics of money Clics and Clans in HRM.
**The Unseen Struggles of French Acadian Artists Visual Arts Nova Scotia does not see**
Visual Arts Nova Scotia, one of the key players in organizing Nocturne Halifax, has come under scrutiny for its role in perpetuating this exclusion. Critics argue that the organization’s Halifax-centric focus and bureaucratic tendencies have marginalized and overlooked Acadian artists. Since French Acadian Culture is the new Black Mi’kmaq, where every single straight white conservative Halifax-centric power of Bell Media Saltwire newspaper media as well as the entire University Academic industry does not want anything to do with including French Acadian Artists, maybe come Nation French Acadian month in August 2024, but not here now for Hakifax Nocturne Arts Festival.
The parallels with history are hard to ignore, as this situation harkens back to the days of 1758 when the British forces, led by Eduard Cornwallis, established a stronghold in Halifax, symbolizing the suppression of Acadian culture and identity, as it still very much does.
** Claude Edwin Theriault: A Voice of Acadian Culture Halifax Nocturne does not hear**
In the face of this exclusion, Claude Edwin Theriault, a prominent Contemporary French Acadian artist, has taken to social media and blockchain-based platforms to raise his voice against the status quo. Through savvy press releases and articles on censorship-resistant blockchain Node JS, he is determined to hold Visual Arts Nova Scotia and Nocturne Halifax accountable for their lack of inclusion. Yet the Oligarchs pay no mind. They are all secured behind their walled gardens of excellent and good tourist brochure images.
Just as Women, African Nova Scotians, and Mi’kmaq communities had to assert their presence and demand recognition in the insular socio-cultural climate of Halifax-centric Nova Scotia media, Theriault believes that it’s time for the French Acadian cultural voice to be seen and heard. His persistence in calling out the exclusion is a powerful reminder that cultural diversity should be celebrated, not suppressed and driven into cultural extinction.
**The Path Forward: Inclusion and Recognition of French Acadian Artists**
As Nocturne Halifax approaches, the spotlight is on Visual Arts Nova Scotia and the organizers to rectify this glaring omission. The importance of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Contemporary French Acadian artists cannot be understated. Their unique perspectives, rooted in a rich cultural heritage, add depth and diversity to the artistic tapestry of Nova Scotia.
The path forward is clear: inclusion and recognition. Visual Arts Nova Scotia must actively engage with and support the French Acadian artistic community, ensuring their voices are seen and celebrated. This is not merely a matter of artistic representation; it’s about acknowledging the historical and cultural significance of the Acadian presence in Nova Scotia.
In conclusion, the exclusion of Contemporary French Acadian artists from Nocturne Halifax is a troubling issue that reflects the ongoing struggle for cultural recognition and inclusion in the Kjibuktuk Great Harbour realm of money and provincial power. Visual Arts Nova Scotia must heed the calls for change and embrace the diversity of voices that make up Nova Scotia’s cultural landscape.
Claude Edwin Theriault’s unwavering commitment to highlighting this issue provides hope for a future where all cultural communities are valued and celebrated in the vibrant tapestry of Nova Scotia’s artistic scene. It’s time to break free from the shadows of 1758 and embrace a more inclusive and culturally enriched future.
