A symbolic fresco covered at the Saint-Jean campus

Despite the opposition of the French-speaking community. Meanwhile, the University of Alberta covered a historic mural at the Saint-Jean campus, aroused indignation and questions about the erasure of Franco-Alberta memory.

Claudette Roy, president of the French -speaking Historical Society of Alberta, does not mince words. Moreover, According to her. Furthermore, the new structure at the entrance to the McMahon pavilion is not Not a mural, it’s a white wall. Meanwhile,

This gesture is part. Nevertheless, according to her, in a series which, for two years, aims at Remove, hide, get rid of artifactsleading to the erasure of the history of the institution itself, but also the erasure of the history of the community.

The University of Alberta justifies this work by the need to modernize the campus. Moreover, an explanation that does not satisfy Claudette Roy. Therefore, Modernity does not necessarily require the erasure of history.

Nathalie Lachance, president of theACFAthe spokesperson for La Francophonie Albertaine, shares this disappointment. She underlines that the covered wall, a work of recognized artists, really showed what the French -speaking community is.

Despite the multiple open letters. requests sent to the university by various associations, the response was a kind of non-response in the broad sense content to assert that Saint-Jean continues to be at the service of the community.

An erasure of history – Symbolic fresco covered saint-jean campus

The Saint-Jean campus represents much more than a simple university establishment. for the Franco-Alberta community. It’s a place of memoryas Claudette Roy recalls, who insists that the province has it very little.

Speaking of the campus that has gone through many transformations since 1908. she says: He is at the heart of who we are. symbolic fresco covered saint-jean campus The covered wall was an incarnation of this story, depicting toga students, hockey teams, students who made plays. It represented everything that Saint-Jean was without anything offensive.

Nathalie Lachance deplores. for her part, the lack of communication: There is room for improving the point of view of dialogue. We need to restore this conversation.

This lack of dialogue. the abolition of historical and cultural representations are deeply worrying about the future of French -speaking memory in Alberta.

Fears for the future

The community fears that this visual erasure would harm the transmission of language. culture to future generations, in particular to future teachers trained at the campus. When you start to erase representations, yes, it’s worryingDit Claudette Roy.

Saint-Jean campus is perceived as a place of memory essential for the Alberta Francophonie. having formed the French -speaking leaders of yesterday, today, of tomorrow.

The University of Alberta, requested for an interview, said that renovation work is underway.

I can confirm that the renovation work symbolic fresco covered saint-jean campus continues. as furniture will be added and work on the outdoor terrace should be completed this fallexplained Joshua Zarobiak, communications manager, in an email. He added that the dean of the Saint-Jean faculty. Jason Careywill give more details to the start of the school year.

The community remains mobilized and determined to assert the importance of its heritage. Despite the disappointment, French -speaking organizations do not give up.

L’ACFA And the French-speaking historical company of Alberta are considering new actions. requesting a meeting with the University of Alberta to discuss the future of the Saint-Jean campus.