Gérald Leblanc facts for kids

Gérald Leblanc (born September 25, 1945 – died May 30, 2005) was an important Acadian poet. He was known for exploring his Acadian heritage and the unique culture of Acadia. Leblanc was born in Bouctouche, New Brunswick. He studied at the Université de Moncton and lived in Moncton, where he passed away. He also spent a lot of time in New York City, which he loved.

Gérald Leblanc was deeply connected to both Acadian and North American cultures. He worked hard to understand his Acadian identity. His many poems show his talent and make him one of the most important modern Acadian poets. He also helped create a collection of Acadian poetry with Claude Beausoleil. Leblanc wrote songs for the Acadian band 1755. He wrote many of their famous songs, like "Le monde a bien changé" and "Rue Dufferin." He was a big fan of "chiac," a special way of speaking in southeastern New Brunswick. Chiac mixes English and French words and grammar.

As a poet and speaker, Gérald Leblanc traveled to many countries. He visited cities across Canada, including Vancouver and Montreal. He also went to the United States, like New York and New Orleans. In France, he visited Paris and La Rochelle. He also spoke in Belgium, the Republic of Congo, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Switzerland.

Gérald Leblanc's Writings

Leblanc's writings were in French. They have been translated into many languages. These include English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Czech, and Slovak.

Letters and Poetry

• Lettres à mon ami américain 1967-2003 (Letters to my American friend): These letters were published after he passed away in 2018.
• Poèmes new-yorkais (New York Poems): This collection includes poems from 1972-1988 and letters from 1993-1994. It was published in 2021.
• L’extrême frontière (The Extreme Border): A collection of poems from 1972-1988, published in 2015.
• Éloge du chiac (Praise of Chiac): A book about the unique Acadian language mix, published in 2015.
• Complaintes du continent (Laments of the Continent): A poetry collection published in 2014.
• Techgnose: A poetry book published in 2004.
• Géomancie (Geomancy): A poetry book published in 2003.
• Le plus clair du temps (Most of the Time): A poetry book published in 2001.
• Je n’en connais pas la fin (I Don't Know the End): A poetry book published in 1999.
• Éloge du chiac: An earlier edition of this book, published in 1995.
• Complaintes du continent: An earlier edition of this book, published in 1993.
• L'événement Rimbaud (The Rimbaud Event): A work with Herménégilde Chiasson and Claude Beausoleil, published in 1991.
• Les matins habitables (The Livable Mornings): A poetry book published in 1991.
• L’extrême frontière: An earlier edition of this book, published in 1988.
• Géographie de la nuit rouge (Geography of the Red Night): A poetry book published in 1984.
• Comme un otage du quotidien (Like a Hostage of Daily Life): A poetry book published in 1981.

Novels and Translations

• Moncton Mantra: This novel was first published in 1997. A new edition came out in 2008.
• Moncton Mantra (English translation): The English version of his novel, translated by Jo-Anne Elder, was published in 2001.
• Amazon Angel: Leblanc translated this book from French to English in 1993. The original French title was Ange amazone.

Essays and Theatre

• La poésie acadienne (Acadian Poetry): Leblanc helped select and introduce this collection of Acadian poetry with Claude Beausoleil. It was published in 1999. An earlier version was published in 1988.
• Et moi! (And Me!): A play text written for the Université de Moncton's drama department in 1999. He wrote it with three other Acadian authors.
• Les sentiers de l’espoir (The Paths of Hope): A play text for the Théâtre l’Escaouette, written in 1983.
• Sus la job avec Alyre (On the Job with Alyre): A text for actor Bernard LeBlanc, written in 1982.

Radio Works

• L’été saison des retours (Summer, Season of Returns): A 30-minute radio text for Radio-Canada in 1989.
• Pascal Poirier: A one-hour radio text for Radio-Canada in 1982.

Awards and Recognition

Gérald Leblanc received several important awards for his writing:

• Literary Award from the City of Moncton: He won this award in 1990 for his book L’extrême frontière.
• Pascal-Poirier Award: The New Brunswick government gave him this award in 1993 for all his works.
• Terrasses St-Sulpice Award: He received this award from Estuaire magazine in 1994 for Complaintes du continent.

Documentary Film

A film called Living on the Edge, the Poetic Works of Gérald Leblanc was made about him. Its French language title is L'extrême frontière, l'oeuvre poétique de Gérald Leblanc. This 2005 documentary film was made by Canadian director Rodrigue Jean, who is of Acadian origin. In the film, Rodrigue Jean honors his Acadian background by focusing on Gérald Leblanc's poetry.