Luc Lacourcière facts for kids
Luc Lacourcière (born October 18, 1910 – died May 15, 1989) was a famous writer and ethnographer from Quebec. He became a very important person in the study of folklore. Folklore is all about the traditional stories, songs, and customs that people share. Luc Lacourcière was taught by Marius Barbeau, another well-known researcher. Later, Luc Lacourcière helped teach and inspire other great minds, like the linguist Claude Poirier. In 1944, he started the Archives de folklore (AF), which is like a big collection of these traditional stories and customs. He led this archive until 1975. To honor his work, a special medal named after him has been given out every two years since 1978.
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Luc Lacourcière: Explorer of Stories
Luc Lacourcière spent his life exploring and preserving the rich traditions of Quebec. He was fascinated by the stories, songs, and ways of life passed down through generations. His work helped people understand and appreciate their cultural heritage. He believed that these traditions were important parts of who we are.
What is Folklore?
Folklore is the traditional art, literature, knowledge, and practices that are passed down from person to person. It includes things like:
- Old stories and fairy tales
- Traditional songs and music
- Local customs and celebrations
- Beliefs and superstitions
- Crafts and traditional skills
An ethnographer like Luc Lacourcière is someone who studies these traditions. They travel, talk to people, and record what they learn. They help make sure these valuable parts of culture are not forgotten.
Building the Archives de folklore
One of Luc Lacourcière's biggest achievements was creating the Archives de folklore. He started this important collection in 1944. Think of it as a special library or museum for all the folklore he and others collected.
- The Archives de folklore became a central place for researchers.
- It helped save countless stories, songs, and details about Quebec's past.
- Luc Lacourcière guided this archive for over 30 years.
His dedication made sure that future generations could learn from these cultural treasures.
Honoring His Work
Luc Lacourcière received many awards and honors for his important contributions. These awards recognized his hard work and how much he helped preserve Quebec's culture. Some of his notable honors include:
- 1969 - The Ludger-Duvernay Prize, a major award in Quebec.
- 1970 - He became a Companion of the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can receive.
- 1979 - He received the Marius-Barbeau Medal, named after his own teacher.
These awards show how much his work was valued by his country and fellow researchers.
