Dr. Elista Istre presents: “Evangeline: The Myth and the Maiden” Oct. 18-20, 2022

We have discovered a unique way to bring the story of “Evangeline” to Evangeline Parish through a scholarly  program developed by Dr. Elista Istre called “Evangeline: The Myth and the Maiden.”   This FREE program will help our patrons appreciate the unique fact that the namesake of our parish is Evangeline, the heroine in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Evangeline, A Tale of Acadie”.  The details of her mythical journey exemplify much of the cultural and historical experiences that shaped southern Louisiana and we feel that offering this particular program to our patrons will be of great interest, particularly to those who are unaware of Evangeline’s story or the reason her name was chosen for our parish.  

Beginning on October 18, 2022, Dr. Istre will present a lecture at each library branch dressed in period costume to answer the question, “Who was Evangeline?” In an engaging program that blends historical research with personal experiences, Dr. Istre will shed light on the creation and enduring legacy of Evangeline, the Acadian exile’s best-known heroine who never lived.  Retracing the literary evolution of Evangeline and her local iterations, this program will address how and why Evangeline became such an important character in the Acadian saga, as well as how Louisiana Cajuns have both adopted and rejected her as one of their own. Additionally, she will illuminate why our Founding Fathers chose that name for a parish that they fought to wrestle from Imperial St. Landry in the early 1900’s.

DATES & TIMES:

Tuesday, October 18, 2022 @ 10 am:  Ville Platte Main Library

Wednesday, October 19, 2022 @ 10 am: Turkey Creek Branch Library

Thursday, October 20, 2022 @ 10 am: Basile Branch Library