History and Mission
Mission
An intangible heritage event with a focus on traditional music, the La Virée Trad festival aims to raise awareness among all audiences of all forms of living heritage expression, which are essential to maintaining the cultural and social vitality of our community and to strengthening a strong identity and sense of belonging, driving sustainable development.
History
The La Virée Trad festival took flight in 2001 thanks to the concerted efforts of various local organizations in the cultural, tourism, commercial, economic, and municipal sectors. The former Carleton economic development corporation initiated and supported the festival for two years. From 2003 to the present day, Maximum 90, the performing arts presenter in Carleton-sur-Mer, has been the promoter and manager of the event.
The primary goal of extending the tourist season by promoting and showcasing our natural and cultural attractions quickly evolved into a unifying event with Gaspé, Acadian, and Quebecois flavors.
The core essence of the La Virée Trad festival lies in the desire to showcase our living heritage through traditional music and dance, storytelling, local products, traditional trades, and crafts.
Festival-goers, charmed by the spirit of the La Virée Trad festival, enjoy a unique experience seasoned with colors and flavors from here and abroad. A community-focused festival and the ultimate intergenerational event, La Virée Trad is like a folk university where you can listen to and exchange with our tradition bearers—high-level artists, producers, and artisans who are essential role models in the advancement of our cultural heritage. Audiences of all ages from across Canada love to gather in Carleton-sur-Mer during the La Virée Trad festival to experience autumn at a different pace.