LE BULLETIN
March 2015
BIENVENUE!
Welcome to our new members who joined:
James and Beverly Pratt, James Sporn and Monique Boissier.
We are looking forward to seeing and meeting you at our gatherings!
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March is International Francophone Month
Half a billion Francophones around the world will celebrate
International Day of Francophonie on March 20, 2015.
The word "francophonie" was invented in the late 19th century by the geographer
Onésime Reclus and refers to the ensemble of people around the world who speak
French. Like many humanists, he believes in a civilizing colonial expansion and
considers language as the foundation of empires. Forgotten, the expression reborn in
the 60s, this time under the pen of intellectuals from former colonies which became
independent, campaigning for the creation of a francophone community. According
to Senghor of Senegal, it was to build a ‘’French Commonwealth’’.
In 1970, the proposal of African Heads of State and Cambodian Sihanouk eventually
led to the creation of the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation and a first
summit in Niamey, Niger.
It was not until the arrival in power of François Mitterrand as President of France, 10
years later, that the institutional Francophonie grows considerably and become a tool
of French diplomacy. From the mid-80s, highs regularly bring together the Frenchspeaking family, and in 1997, France developed a political structure: the International
Organization of the Francophonie.
Ciné-Club: GABRIELLE (2013)
Directed & co-scripted by Louise Archambault. 104 minutes.
This film was the official submission of Canada to the 2014 Oscars.It received 112
wins and 14 nominations, among which Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best
Supporting Actress, Best Editing at the 2014 Jutra Awards (Québec Oscars) and
Best Film, Best Actress at the Génie Awards (Canadian Oscars).
In French with English subtitles.
MUSC Basic Science Building, 173 Ashley Ave, downtown
Admission: $5.00 for general public, $3.00 for AF members and students.
MAR. 29
12 - 6 PM
Lowcountry Cajun Festival (James Island Country Park)
THE LOWCOUNTRY CAJUN FESTIVAL IS A FULL-DAY OF ZYDECO MUSIC, CAJUN AND
CREOLE FOODS, KIDS’ ACTIVITIES, AND ALL AROUND RAGIN’ CAJUN FUN!
Savor the tastes of authentic Cajun and Creole fare - jambalaya, alligator, etouffe,
andouille sausage and of course, crawfish, crawfish, crawfish! Also enjoy Lowcountry
favorites like seafood and Southern barbecue. For those who prefer a tamer menu, we’ll
serve up ample portions of festival foods like hot dogs, sno cones, and more. Visitors
travel from near and far for huge servings of fresh, steaming crawfish, undoubtedly the
festival’s most popular food item. $15 per person. Free for ages 12 and under.
Concours de la Plume d’Or
Sponsored by the Association Défense de la Langue Française (DLF) since 2000 the
annual contest of la Plume d’Or is a written expression test competition for all
members of Alliances Françaises world who are of non-French nationality and have a
fluency level of at least B1. Information and registrations must be submitted to
Mr./Mrs. Gangloff (email: [email protected]) before March 1, 2015.
Concours Les Timbrés de l’orthographe
La Fondation Alliance Française reaffirms its partnership with les Timbrés de
l'orthographe and organizes a dictation contest. There will be 2 dictées (dictation)
one of a beginner level special Alliance Française accessible to all, and a second one of
Advanced level. The winner of the contest will be selected to participate to the final in
Paris on June 6 2015 (travel and hotel will be at the expense of the organization). Feel
free to conact us for more information or to register.
Deadline to register March 9, 2015.
Language Center
Prices:
8 one-hour group classes* (renewable)
1-hour group class*
Semi-private one-hour class (2 students)*
Private one-hour class (1 student)
AF members
Non AF members
$100
$15
$20
$35
$150
$25
$30
$45
*Prices are indicated per student.
sss
Group classes for adults
For class information
please contact us at:
[email protected]
sssssLocation: Charleston Library Society (164 King St)
TUESDAYS:
09:30 am-10:30 am: ELEMENTARY CLASS A2 (with Sandrine)
10:30 am-11:30 am: BEGINNER CLASS A1 (with Sandrine) *FULL*
11:30 am-12:30 pm: BEGINNER CLASS A1 (with Sandrine) *FULL*
12:30 pm-1:30 pm: ADV. BEGINNER conversation class (with Marie-Laure)
1:30 pm-2:30 pm: INTERMEDIATE CLASS conversation class (with Marie-Laure)
2:30 pm-3:30 pm: INTERMEDIATE CLASS conversation class (with Marie-Laure)
WEDNESDAYS:
9:30 am-10:30 am: BEGINNER CLASS A1 (with Sandrine) *FULL*
Location: Marie-Laure’s home: Mt Pleasant
TUESDAYS:
6:30 pm-7:30 pm: Conversation in French around a glass of wine.
Private classes
If you are interested in more intensive and specific instruction, we tailor your lessons
to meet your needs. ($35/an hour).
Classes for children (3-10 years old)
LA PETITE ECOLE offers French classes every Sat. morning for children.
Unfortunately we do not accept any registration anymore for this academic year.
Please contact us make a reservation for September 2015.
Special session for travelers by Marie-Laure
We will be offering a 4-classe specific session focused on the following themes for
those traveling to France soon.
Contact Marie-Laure at [email protected], if you are interested.
Jewelry workshop (Atelier Bijoux) by Myrianne
Let’s speak French while spending time designing simple jewelry items!
Fee: $400 for each 2-hour session, materials and tools included.
Location: Residence of Marie-Laure Arnaud, 1990 Belair Ct Mt Pleasant SC 29464
Times: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Days and Frequencies: TBD.
Class Size: 3- 6 participants per session.RSVP: Marie-Laure Arnaud
[email protected] tel: 843 813 1663
Conversation Groups
Conversation autour de la table at 1 pm
Wed. Mar. 18 and 25 at Laura Beckstrom's
Wed. Mar. 4 and 11 at Pat Caldwell's
We kindly remind you that you must be a member of the Alliance to join the
Conversation Group. There is no charge for participating in these weekly groups.
Laura Beckstrom
2830 Brooks St, Sullivan's Isl.
Ph: 843.883.3364 and
Cell 843/708-5222
[email protected]
Pat Caldwell
29 Bainbridge Dr.
West Ashley
Ph: 843/556-8458
[email protected]
Tricot Conversation Group: March 23 at 1:00 pm
Les Tricoteuses (Knitting group). The Knitting group meets at Christophe's
chocolate/French pastry salon on Society St. off King St.
Contact Jany Columbo at [email protected] or 843 881 1912.
RDV l’Heure de Conversation: March 24 at 7:00 pm
at Holiday Inn Riverview (302 Savannah Hwy)
Meet other Francophiles from the Charleston area. Enjoy mingling with others in
French. Wine and menu are available. RSVP by March 21.
Contact Pat Caldwell at [email protected] or 843 556 8458.
Le français par les jeux: March 19 at 7:00 pm
Learn French and French history, culture, and geography through games at 29
Bainbridge Dr., Charlestown Estates 1, West Ashley. RSVP by March 17.
Contact Pat Caldwell at [email protected] or 843 556-8458.
Le Cercle Littéraire: March 27 at 7:00 m.
The group will meet at Rita Pardieck’s. All are welcome; you choose the book you feel
like reading. The meeting is conducted in French.
Contact Brigitte Cordron at [email protected] or 843 766 2673.
Pause Café: March 21 at 1:00 pm
The meeting is held at Lisette Luton’s at 116 Limehouse Dr. Summerville 29485.
Children are welcome to attend with their parents. Let’s speak French in a relaxed
atmosphere over a cup of coffee and cookies.
Contact Dr. Lisette Luton at [email protected] or 843 814 7058.
Other French Happenings
The Lowcountry Progressive Day School
(61 Windermere Blvd) is a quality childcare facility providing service to infants 6
weeks-5 years old. The Alliance Française of Charleston is proud to offer French
classes every week to all their children from 2 to 5 years old. If you want any
information, please contact the school director Nicole McMillan at
[email protected] / (843) 225-8933
April 12 at 10:30 am - The French Huguenot Society of SC and
the French Huguenot Church
join together to celebrate on the Edict of Nantes, a service celebrating King Henri de
Navarre’s decree in 1598 to protect the French Protestants. This service is conducted
in French and will be held at the Huguenot Church, on Church St.
April 19 from 5 to 7 pm - Draw me a Heart Moroccan Dinner
Address: Laura Becktrom’s home - 2830 Brooks street, Sullivan’s Island.
The funds will be used to purchase school supplies for children in isolated Moroccan
villages. This Project is contributing to rural Moroccan children’s exposure to French
and English languages.
Do you want to know what is going on in the French
Southeast community?
V is it t h e w e bs it e of the F r e n ch co ns u lat e of At la nta :
w ww .c ons ulf ra nc e -at la nta .o rg
March 6 at 7 pm / March 8 at 2 pm - the AF of Columbia
is presenting its annual play: MOLIERE 2.0 on at the Columbia Museum of Art.
Would you like to host an AF event or party?
Hosts, Venues, Homes, and Meeting Halls are wanted. In order for our events to
succeed, we need members to open their homes and serve as hosts or hostesses.
Please contact Pat Caldwell, 843 556-8458 - [email protected].
Did you know this French Expression?
PAY FOR DUES, PARTIES,
AND CLASSES VIA OUR
WEBSITE
www.a-f-charleston.com
allows you to pay in advance
for upcoming events by credit
card or PayPal.
It means to be distracted, to
have one’s head in the clouds.