**** LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Media Release

Annual New Year’s Day Levée
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Nova Scotians are invited to attend the annual lieutenant-governor’s New Year’s Day Levée on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Government House, 1451 Barrington St., Halifax from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

“Patsy and I greatly enjoy welcoming Nova Scotians to Government House during the levée,” said Lt.-Gov. Arthur J. LeBlanc. “It is a pleasure and honour to meet everyone and extend our best wishes for the coming year.”

During the levée people can exchange New Year’s greetings with the lieutenant governor and Mrs. LeBlanc and visit the oldest vice-regal residence in North America.

The lieutenant governor’s levée is open to the public with no invitation required. Levées have become a time-honoured tradition in Nova Scotia as an opportunity to exchange goodwill with local officials and community members and enjoy mulled cider and desserts.

Quick Facts:
— levée is derived from the French word levée, meaning “to rise”
— levées originated in France with Louis XIV, where the French king would welcome his male subjects to his bedchamber to watch him wake and rise
— the first recorded levée in Canada was held on Jan. 1,1646 by Charles Huault de Montmagny, Governor of New France and the focus was on fur traders paying their respects to the governor
— the New Year’s Day Levée is a social event that is hosted by the Governor General of Canada, lieutenant governors, military establishments, municipalities and other institutions
— each year, approximately 700 guests attend the levée