La Bonhomme Carnaval at Summit Elementary School

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Story provided by FRÄNZI KARLEN, EdD 

District Language Coordinator - Coordonnatrice des programmes de langues 

In the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan, in the Intellectual Development Priority, our Board values rich language learning and development in all languages through curricular and extracurricular activities.

During the month of February, people in many parts of the world celebrate Carnaval.

It is the second largest winter carnival celebration in Québec City where Bonhomme Carnaval comes out of hibernation for a two week party in the ice and snow. Bonhomme is the official representative of the Québec Winter Carnival. White as snow, wearing a red tuque and arrow sash of heroes of our past, Bonhomme embodies the joie de vivre of Quebecers!

Bonhomme is known as a timeless character who first appeared on January 9, 1955 at Porte Saint-Louis. He was there to mark the beginning of a public invitation to celebrate during the three weeks prior to the carnival. Wilfrid Hamel, then mayor of Quebec City, also took the opportunity to give Bonhomme his first set of Keys to the City. This tradition continues to this day with the mayor of Quebec City giving Bonhomme the Keys to the City at the start of each Carnival. This symbolic gesture confirms Bonhomme’s status as a proud international symbol of winter tourism.

Many classes in School District No. 73 were able to welcome Bonhomme Carnaval into their school and together they built sugar cube ice palaces, built Bonhommes out of toilet paper, sang songs and enjoyed Carnaval food.

The class of Ms. Wilson at Summit Elementary put together a lovely video collage of their Bonhomme visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjF98QCjWJk