Prairie Acadian Cultural Center offers storytelling, Cajun-French classes

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, a National Park Service site, is offering two new classes every Saturday.
Center volunteers will lead the classes which are free and open to the public. The center is located at 250 West Park Avenue in Eunice. More information is available at 337-457-8499 or www.nps.gov/jela.
Cajun Storytelling will be a lively exploration of what it means to grow up in south Louisiana led by Dr. Berk Veillon. Participants can share stories in English or French, and there are no age limits. Being Cajun is not required, but an interest in telling and hearing good stories is. Participants will be encouraged to share personal stories as well as tales about ancestors who resided in the area. “This class offers anyone interested an opportunity to share and discover what makes us different, and yet the same,” said Veillon. 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.
Cajun Conversations will allow local residents and visitors the chance to learn and practice speaking Cajun French. Class leader Mat Fruge is a long-time student of local dialects, especially the Evangeline Parish Cajun French spoken in Eunice. Fruge’s goal is to provide a firm foundation in Cajun French for those who don’t speak it regularly or never learned the language. 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center shares “The Cajun Way” every Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., with a cooking demonstration at 1 p.m., quilting demonstration at 2 p.m., and Cajun music and dancing beginning at 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., it’s time to sample the day’s recipe.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is managed by the National Park Service as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The center is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The center features exhibits interpreting the culture of the Acadians who settled the prairies of southwest Louisiana. Folklife demonstrations include foodways presentations, Cajun music, dancing, quilting, and other handmade crafts. The center is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The center is closed on all federal holidays but open on Mardi Gras. Admission to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is free and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public.