Memorial brings lectures on Acadian history and nature

ST. MARTINVILLE — The Acadian Memorial will have a day of lectures about Acadian culture and local nature.

On April 10, Dr. Allan Dubos and Greg Guirard will speak in separate lectures about Acadian history and culture. Anyone interested in attending either lecture that day is encouraged to act quickly since seating is limited.

The Memorial, along with Alliance Francaise de Lafayette, Acadian Ambulance and CODOFIL will present Dubos, who is from les Landes, France. Dubos is a the vice president of Doctors Without Borders and a 1999 Nobel Prize Winner.

Dubos’ visit will begin with a private tour of the Memorial and African-American and Acadian museums in the city at 10:30 a.m. Following the tour, a lecture titled, “Acadia: Historical Fantasy or Contemporary Reality,” will take place at the Duchamp Opera House at 11:45 a.m.

The cost for the luncheon and lecture is $15. A $2 admission fee will also be charged to the Memorial and St. Martinville Heritage Center. To make reservations, call 262-5810 or 394-2258.

Guirard, a writer, naturalist and photographer will offer a lecture titled, “What Should Be Done in the Atchafalaya: A Concern for Cajun Fishermen.”

During his lecture, Guirard will present a slideshow that will display the beauty of the scenic Atchafalaya River and its surrounding bodies of water.

The lecture will be in the Acadian Memorial’s conference room, which can be accessed from the rear gate near the bayou. Admission for the lecture is $1, and space can be reserved by calling 394-2258.