The public is invited to attend the Township of Esquimalt’s New Year’s Day Levée, a time honoured tradition in Esquimalt dating back to 1947. The event will be hosted by Mayor Desjardins and Esquimalt Council and is an opportunity for members of the public and municipal government to come together and welcome the New Year.
=0D=0A=Light refreshments will be served.
The levée, derived from the French verb “to rise,” has a rich history that dates back to the court of Louis XIV, Sun King of France, who ruled from 1643 to 1715. In Canada the levée became associated with New Year’s Day, and is not connected with the old form of the practice. Instead, it carries on an ancient custom of this country, dating from the days of the fur trade. Today, the levée is a New Year’s Day social event, hosted by many levels of government and other institutions.