VAN BUREN – One of the Maine Acadian Heritage Council’s most exciting projects, a folk traditions booklet called “Traditions d’icite,” will be launched at 5 p.m. today at the Acadian Village in Van Buren, followed by a potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m. hosted by Le Club Francais. The MAHC invites and welcomes the public to attend this special event.

This project, funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Maine Arts Commission, is a 20-page publication of folk artists and folk traditions in the St. John Valley. The completely bilingual publication has been a collaborative process by a nationally renowned photographer, Cedric Chatterly; an award-winning designer, Daniel Picard of Majuscule Design; a writer specializing in traditional arts, Kathleen Mundell; a translator, Paul Gutman; and a steering committee that helped in the planning, concept and proofreading. The committee members were Abbe Levin, Judy Paradis, Ross Paradis, Don Cyr, Marie-Ann Gauvin, Lisa Ornstein, Renaud Albert and Sheila Jans.

“The primary message conveyed is that traditional artists in the Valley are alive, but must be nurtured and encouraged so they may be passed to the next generations,” said MAHC President Judy Paradis.

Eight individuals and groups represent the varied aspects of folklore throughout the Valley. They are only a sampling of the many artisans working in the St. John Valley. The artisans featured are: Lionel Doucette of St. David, fiddling; Ida Roy of St. Agatha, singing, songwriting and crocheting; Nicole LeBrun-LaPointe of Van Buren, weaving; Bertha Voisine of Daigle, knitting; Lucie LeBlanc Ouellette of Fort Kent, mother Rachel and sister Judy, singing; Alban, Rita, Joe and Janice Bouchard of Daigle, farming and ploye-making; and Aurelle and Bernadette Collin of Lille, carving, model-making and moon sign gardening.

As part of the grant, performances and demonstrations of these artists will be presented at festivals, the Acadian Village and Valley schools.