CANADIAN FRANCOPHONE GAMES 2008
The Canadian Francophone Games (CFG) are an original initiative of the Fédération
de la jeunesse canadienne-française (FJCF). Besides encouraging thousands of
youth to demonstrate their talents in three areas (sports, the arts, and leadership),
these games help youth develop cultural pride, self-esteem, and leadership skills in
a context of sound competition. During the Canadian Francophone Games that were
held in Edmonton between August 14 and 17, 2008, dance was showcased for the
first time as a discipline. The Association la Girandole was very proud to take part
in this nationwide project. Moreover, la Girandole organised the dance component
in collaboration with the CFG 2008. Francis Mayrand and Daniel Robichaud
represented the team.

This competition fostered exchanges and was an opportunity for young
French-speaking dancers to see what was happening in the world of dance
throughout the country. Ten delegations participated in total. The delegations'
artists took part in dance workshops and a cooperative activity with artists from the
music component.

The dance component of the CFG focused on creative dance inspired by traditional
dance. Each delegation presented a minimum of three choreographies, one of
which had to be created by one of its artists. The delegations were evaluated by
judges from Canada's dance scene: Manon Melançon (New Brunswick), Jocelyn
Parent (Quebec), and Rhéa Labrie (Alberta). Following these evaluations, three
teams were chosen to participate in the finals. The dance and music competition
finals were held before a public audience on Saturday, August 16, 2008 during the
Soirée des arts (an evening for the arts) in Hawrelak Park's Heritage Amphitheater.