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A new book about P.E.I. Acadians has published just in time for some significant milestones in Acadian history.

The book, "Illustrated History of the Acadians of Prince Edward Island", was written by Island researcher and historian Georges Arsenault.

It will be published in both official languages, in English by Acorn Press and in French by Grand Mare.

The publication is timed for the Acadian Congress Mondial which starts in P.E.I. on Aug. 10. It also coincides with the 300-year anniversary of French colonization in 2020.

Written for the general reader, the book gives an overview of the 300 years of French and Acadian presence on Prince Edward Island.

The author details the first settlements established on the Island by France, the deportation of the Acadian inhabitants in 1758 and their resettlement on the Island.

Arsenault also looks at the evolution of the Acadian economy, the role of the Catholic Church, French-language education and the struggles to ensure a vibrant French culture in the Acadian communities throughout the Island.

Arsenault is a historian and ethnologist who has published extensively in French on the Acadian history and culture of P.E.I. Many of his works have been translated, including "The Island Acadians", "The Acadians of Summerside", "Acadian Christmas Traditions", "Acadian Traditions on Candlemas Day" and "Acadian Mi-Carême: Masks and Merrymaking".

Since 2009, Arsenault has also written a weekly column in La Voix Acadienne on images of the past.

