Celebrating more than 200 years of Francophone culture in Alberta

The Franco-Alberta flag is flying at the legislature, part of Francophonie Month celebrations in the province.

Edmontonians celebrated Alberta’s Francophone community Monday with a parade and flag-raising ceremony.

March is Francophonie Month in Alberta, which celebrates French language, culture and organizations in the province.

French-speaking Albertans have been a part of the province’s history for more than 200 years, according to Tanya Fir, minister of arts, culture and the status of women. There are more than 260,000 French-speaking Albertans in the province.

As part of the celebrations, students held a tintamarre, a parade where participants make as much noise as possible to mark an event, downtown from 106 Street near the legislature grounds to the Queen Elizabeth II building.

There, they were treated to a presentation including speakers and performers that ended with a flag-raising ceremony.

“(There’s) something about seeing the vitality of our community (that) always brings tons of joy,” said Nathalie Lachance, president of the Alberta Francophone Association.

The association is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

There are a number of events, including other flag-raising ceremonies, carnivals, film and culture festivals, and more across the province throughout the month.

Last year, Fir declared 2026 as the year of the Francophonie.