Annual Events
Most Alliances Françaises, whether large or small, commemorate Bastille Day, often with public dances or picnics. Many also collaborate with a local restaurant to celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau in fall. Some AFs organize special events for children in conjunction with traditional secularized Catholic holidays such as a fête de Noël, a fête des Rois with galettes and the tirage au roi, a soirée crêpes for Chandeleur, or a Mardi gras party.
Many AFs also celebrate:
- Visit your Mayor's office and get a list of your Sister Cities
- Check out the Alliance Française web site in Paris to determine which of your Sister Cities have AF chapters.
- On March 20, send an e-mail or fax message to each of your “sister” AFs.
Every March since 1996, the French Government has been sponsoring la Semaine de la Francophonie. Alliance Française chapters and French cultural organizations around the world join in the festivities.
Contacting AFs in one's Sister Cities
In conjunction with the Journée Internationale de la Francophonie, on March 20 each year, many AFs reach out to contact the Alliances in their Sister Cities. Here is how you can participate:
Sample message to "Sister City"::
Bonjour.
Nous sommes l’Alliance Française dans votre ville jumelée. Dans l’espoir de communications amicales et culturelles ultérieures, nous vous souhaitons une bonne journée de la Francophonie!
Signée: AF de_____________
This simple greeting may develop into a long-term relationship: exchanges of ideas, videos, and perhaps even visits between AF members.
Participating in international language activities
Délégation générale de la langue française also sponsors special activities for la Semaine de la langue française. Alliance Française members are invited to participate. For example, each year ten words are selected and participants are encouraged to weave them into original poems, stories, songs, posters and even sculptures.
In 2005 the words are:
| ondelette | variation | complexité | élémentaire | cristal |
| miroir | désenchevêtrement | rayonnement | hélice | icône |
In 2004 the words were:
| brousse | lumière | ombellifère | amertume | espérance |
| bouline | farfadet | tataouiner | tactile | déambuler |
In 2003 the words were:
| dimanche | vol | campagne | exercer | bleu |
| chiendent | rude | mille | instant | courir |
In 2002 (the bicentennial of Victor Hugo's birth) the words were:
| abîme | aurore | bonté | pensif | rayon |
| escarpement | grotesque | exil | grandir | s'effacer |
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Fête de la Musique originated in France in 1982 and has expanded to include more than 100 countries. It is always celebrated on June 21 and features free concerts open to the public and showcasing a wide variety of musical styles and traditions.
The Federation encourages its member chapters to join the festivities and organize local concerts to celebrate the summer solstice.
Lire en fête
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Lire en fête was started in France in 1989 and has expanded to include not only libraries and bookstores, but also schools, hospitals, theaters, cafés, train stations, markets, even prisons. Over a three-day weekend in mid-October, French people are invited to share their love of books through readings, talks, exhibits and other free activities. Lire en f'te has become an international event, sponsored by Alliances Française around the world. The Federation would like to encourage our American chapters to participate in this festivity.
The AF de Chicago participated in the Lire en fête activities in October 2003, by inviting three French writers to a Saturday morning colloquium. Between each talk, the listeners were invited to sample French pastries and share their thoughts.
National French Week
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National French Week is organized every November by the American Association of Teachers of French. Their web site contains many suggestions as to activities and projects that can be adapted to Alliance Française programs.