En Français, Oui But Why?

 Saturday, April 26, 2025, 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
 
“En Français, Oui but Why?” is an event dedicated to all Francophiles and supporters of the francophone culture in all its richness and diversity. They have the opportunity to discover artists and professionals committed to promoting francophone culture in New York and the surrounding area. Literature, music, cinema, theater, a game of pétanque with friends and Belgian waffles to snack on - there is something for everyone, regardless of age or interests.
 
PROGRAM OF THE DAY: 

9:30 am – 10 am
Free breakfast, offered by Wafels & Dinges

10:00 am – 10:30 am
The event is introduced by Mohamed Bouabdallah, Cultural Counselor of France in the United States and Director of Villa Albertine in New York, in the presence of the French Congolese novelist and poet Alain Mabanckou, who is the guest of honor of the fair this year.

10:30 am – 3:00 pm
Throughout the day, participants were able to meet dozens of organizations offering cultural activities in French or celebrating French culture in New York.
There was also be creative workshops for children aged 2 to 12, as well as pétanque games for adults, and a musical performance from Natie, an artist from La Réunion island.
The Wafles & Dinges food truck was parked next to the Lycée and sold savory and sweet waffles at lunch time.

Three round tables discussion in French :
  • 10:40 am – 11:40 am
    Le choix du français pour écrire” with Alain Mabanckou and Vietnamese Canadian author Kim Thuy
  • 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
    La traduction à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle” with Lucie Tiberghien, artistic Director of Molière in the Park and literary translator, David Thépaut, translator working with AI for over 10 years, and Matt Reeck, translator and poet
  • 1 :30 pm – 2:30 pm
    Comment faire aimer la lecture aux enfants et aux adolescents?with Victor Dixen, author of children's novels and Marion Kadi, author and children's illustrator, who will share their thoughts on how to captivate young readers and nurture their passion for reading
Book signings sessions were held throughout the day with the panelist and other francophone authors including authors from Festival International des auteurs francophones.
 
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
A contemporary reinterpretation of The Marriage of Figaro by Guillaume Roper-Sirvent which, while respecting Beaumarchais's language, underscores the force of his message.
The play is performed in French by L’Atelier Théâtre NY. Age: 11+.