Prince Edward's Island is famous for two things: potatoes and Anne of Green Gables. This year the potatoes won't even get a look in as it's Anne's 100th Birthday.
The Birth of Anne of Green Gables
From the moment it appeared in print in 1908 the book was a huge success, even the usually cynical Mark Twain thought Anne was ‘the dearest and most loveable child in fiction since the immortal Alice”. This was Lucy Maud Montgomery’s first novel and although she went on to write another nineteen, none of them captured the hearts of millions of readers around the world in the way that Anne of Green Gables did.
Anne’s Story
The story is of an orphaned eleven-year-old girl with red hair and freckles who has been sent by mistake to help out with the chores at Green Gables farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. However, the owners of the farm, an elderly brother and sister named Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, were not pleased. They had been expecting a strong sturdy boy and what they got was a chatterbox of a girl. She didn’t fit the picture at all. However, in time, Anne’s charm delights the crusty Matthew to such a degree that he wants her to stay and even stern Marilla is won over.
The book goes on to describe Anne’s journey from arkward young girl to graceful young woman and the scrapes and adventures she finds herself involved in along the way.
Anne of Green Gables - The Musical
Montgomery’s book has been put to music and it’s a terrific show. It has been playing in the capital, Charlottetown, since 1965. It’s upbeat, with some great dancing, and really worth seeing. And no matter when you go there will always be scores of young Japanese girls who are probably Anne’s greatest fans.
The Japanese Connection
One of the more unusual aspects of P.E.I is its huge popularity with the Japanese. More than 10.000 a year arrive on this small island to visit all the places mentioned in the book. Charlottetown is twinned with Ashibetsu, a city in northen Japan and there have been a number of student exchanges made. However, a bigger influence is the fact that Anne of Green Gables has been on the curriculum of many schools in Japan since the 1950’s. Although they couldn’t more different than Anne, physically (not many green-eyed redheads in Japan), many young Japanese women identity with Anne’s character.
Explore the Island
There’s much more to Prince Edward's Island than Anne of Green Gables. It's is a lovely spot to spend a holiday. The first recorded comment on the island came from Jacques Cartier in 1534, when he praised its beauty. It is Canada’s smallest province and largely rural. Known for its red soil, fresh lobsters and pretty villages, it’s a tranquil place for a truly restful holiday. A great way to get around is by cycling.
The Trans Canada Trail was first proposed in 1992 as a project to mark the country’s 125th birthday. Intended for walkers and cyclists, the trail will eventually cross the whole of Canada, with each province being responsible for its own stretch. PEI was the first to finish its section, obviously because it is the smallest province, and it covers 356 Kilometres of pathway - with lots of things to do and places to see along the way.
