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Tradition Bearers

Colour photograph of five people, all of whom are standing. Three individuals are holding certificates of appreciation, which have been presented by the two others.

Photograph, 2015

Collection of the Carrefour mondial de l’accordéon

 

Raynald Ouellet, Ulric Lacombe, Sylvain Vézina and Marcel Messervier (not pictured) are all diatonic accordion makers. They were recognized for their role as “tradition bearers” at an event hosted by the Société québécoise d’ethnologie on 26 September 2015.

The organization defines tradition bearers as individuals who have contributed to Quebec’s cultural heritage through practices that strengthen identity. The contributions of tradition bearers in the field of intangible heritage have only begun to be formally recognized in recent years. Previously, public authorities in Quebec tended to emphasize material heritage (buildings, objects, artifacts).