Hélène Baillargeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hélène Baillargeon
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Baillargeon in 1940
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| Born | August 28, 1916 Saint-Martin, Quebec, Canada
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| Died | September 25, 1997 (aged 81) Montreal, Canada
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Hélène Baillargeon (born August 28, 1916 – died September 25, 1997) was a talented singer, actor, and folklorist from Quebec, Canada. She was most famous for hosting the popular CBC television show Chez Hélène from 1959 to 1973. A folklorist is someone who studies and collects traditional stories, songs, and customs of a community.
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Hélène's Early Life and Studies
Hélène Baillargeon was born in Saint-Martin, Quebec, in 1916. She loved music and studied singing in Quebec City and New York City. Later, she continued her singing lessons in Montreal with a teacher named Alfred La Liberté.
A Career in Music and Television
Hélène Baillargeon worked as a researcher at the National Museum of Canada in Ottawa. This museum is now called the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau. There, she worked with Marius Barbeau, who was also a famous folklorist.
In 1944, Hélène married André Côté. He was a Crown attorney in Montreal, which means he was a lawyer who worked for the government.
Hélène became well-known for her work on CBC radio and television. She hosted many shows, including Le réveil rural, Songs de chez nous, and Cap aux sorciers. Her most famous show was Chez Hélène, which taught French to children.
Honors and Later Life
Hélène Baillargeon was recognized for her amazing contributions to Canadian culture. In 1973, she was given the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive.
In 1974, she was appointed a Canadian Citizenship Court judge. In this role, she helped people officially become citizens of Canada. Hélène also recorded many collections of French-Canadian folk songs. These recordings helped preserve traditional music for future generations.
Hélène Baillargeon passed away in Montreal in 1997, at the age of 81.
Her Recorded Music
Hélène Baillargeon recorded several albums of traditional French-Canadian folk songs. Here are some of her well-known recordings:
- 1955: Songs of French Canada with Alan Mills (Folkways Records)
- 1956: French Christmas Songs: Chants de Noël (Folkways Records)
- 1956: Chansons d'Acadie (Folks Songs of Acadia) (Folkways Records)
- 1961: Chantons en Français; Vol. 1, Part 1-4: French Songs for Learning French (Folkways Records)
- 1961: Chantons en Français; Vol. 2: French Songs for Learning French (Folkways Records)
