2026 | Namur-Lafayette twinning: Zachary Richard named Citizen of Namur during his conference

On Wednesday 11 February 2026, the International Relations Office of the City of Namur had the pleasure of welcoming the singer-songwriter from Louisiana Zachary Richard for a conference entitled “L’Histoire des Acadiennes et Acadiens de la Louisiane”, the history of the Acadian people of Louisiana. 

The event, which took place in the Auditoire Michaux at La Bourse, was a great success: the venue was full with around 100 people present to listen to this fervent defender of the French language and Cajun culture of Louisiana. 

The history of the Acadian people of Louisiana

This event formed part of the twinning agreement between Namur and Lafayette. With this richly illustrated conference, Zachary Richard recounted the history of the French-speaking community of south-west Louisiana, known as “Cajuns”. A history that demonstrates the resilience, courage and capacity for adaptation of these people.

Citizen of Namur

At the end of the conference, Charlotte Bazelaire, Acting Mayor of the City of Namur, awarded Zachary Richard the title of Citizen of Namur.

This distinction recognises not only his art career, marked by emblematic songs such as “Travailler c’est trop dur”, but also his essential role as a cultural bridge between Louisiana and the Walloon capital.