The Federation of Alliances Françaises USA celebrates its 110th anniversary this March 4th,2012! Dedicated to the enduring friendship between France and America, the founders of the Federation ensured that Francophiles and Francophones nationwide would gather often to share the beauty of French language and culture in friendship and harmony.
We salute the Federation on the occasion of this milestone event and quote President Jacques Chirac from his address to us in July, 2001:
"On touche là au miracle des Alliances françaises: que depuis plus d’un siecle, des hommes et des femmes de tous pays, qui goûtent la culture et la langue françaises, prennent en charge de la faire aimer à leur tour et s’y investissent de toute leur âme.
Pour créer ou pour présider une Alliance française, il faut avoir la passion du français. C’est un honneur insigne, Mesdames et Messieurs les Presidents, que vous faites à la France. Recevez par ma voix l’expression de sa reconnaissance."
Downtown Providence by night!
Looking ahead, we will congregate in New England in Autumn. Our Assemblée Générale will be in Providence, Rhode Island, and we will be hosted by the local chapter and its President, Dominique Gregoire, who is also a Board Member of the Federation. There cannot be a more beautiful time to be in the Northeast where the Autumn colors dress the trees and the possible warmth of an Indian Summer day may greet us.
Plans are being confirmed to hold the meeting at the Westin Hotel, in the middle of downtown, giving all of us a perfect central location. Don’t forget that Providence played a significant role in the history of our American Revolution and Rochambeau, Commander in Chief of the French Expeditionary Force, and his troops were billeted at an encampment site on the grounds of what is, today, Brown University.
It is never too early to start planning for workshops, speakers and our “One Book One Federation”, so send us your thoughts and suggestions as we begin to look ahead to October 11-14, 2012.
A bientôt,
Mimi Gregory, President, Federation of Alliances Françaises USA
Becca Brodarick and Charles Coulon, Co-Chairs, Convention and Annual Meeting Planning Committee
Mimi Gregory - President
For more than one hundred years, the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA has served as a bridge between the Alliances in the United States and the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris. In our ever changing world, this partnership echoes the historical friendship between the United States and France; and the sustained mission we share: to support French language and French speaking cultures as they are practiced around the globe.
The Federation is dedicated to the support of the American network which, in turn, nourishes and educates its members and constituents. Inclusive in this is the continuing tradition of sharing the beauty of Francophone literature, art and history and its contribution to the multicultural richness of this world of 200 million French speakers.
Our chapters foster the exchange of information, ideas, and best practices, provide a forum for better understanding in our global community, and offer a platform for leadership and the promotion of our diverse cultures founded on universal values.
