First row from left to right : Charlotte Longepe, Anne Longepe, Recteur Yvet, André Gilbert Mayor of Lancieux and Marie Dagorne last of the first row.

Miss Marie Dagorne, Chairwoman of The Association " The rivages of Lancieux" organised this evening with the participation of Mrs Anne Longepe grand-daughter of Robert W. Service.

Mr Walter Epp of Lakehead University Ontario, conducted this evening by reciting five poems by R. Service concerning the Yukon :

- The Ballad of the Ice-Worm Cocktail,

- Touch the Button Nell,

- The Ballad of Salvation Bill,

- The Cremation of Sam MacGee,

- The Law of the Yukon.

During the recitation, Mr Epp showed slides and videos about the life of R. Service during his stay in the Yukon.

Mr Walter Epp and Charlotte Longepe

At the beginning of each poem, Miss Marie Conan ( English teacher) who visited Withehorse and Dawson with the Mayor of Lancieux ( summer 2002), gave a french succinct translation.

Charlotte Longepe, grand-granddaughter of R. Service, recited in French the refrain of The Cremation of Sam MacGee as follows :

La Crémation de Sam MacGee,

D'étranges choses sont faites sous le soleil de minuit, Par des hommes qui cherchent de l'or, Les pistes du Nord détiennent leurs secrètes histoires Qui glaceraient le sang dans vos veines.

Les lumières du Nord ont été témoins d'étranges spectacles, Mais le plus étrange qu'elles n'aient jamais vu Fut l'incinération de Sam MacGee Cette nuit sur la rive du Lac Lebarge.

( free translation by Mrs. Anne Longepe)

The evening was attended by about seventy people among them many english speaking people. The part of the audience which didn't understand so well english enjoyed the music of the words of the ballads and the lively and colourful way Mr EPP recited the poetry. It was a very successful show. "

Ouest-France" and " Le Petit Bleu", two local newspapers give an enthusiastic account on it.

The evening was followed by a cocktail graciously given by Mr André Gilbert, Mayor of Lancieux.