The Cultural Center of Lycée Français de New York will hold the 4th edition of its French and Francophone cultural fair “En Français, Oui But Why?” on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at the school.
“En Français, Oui But Why?” welcomes francophiles, French speakers and supporters of francophone culture in all its richness and diversity. Participants will have the opportunity to discover artists and professionals committed to promoting francophone culture in New York and the surrounding area. From literature, music, cinema, and theater to a game of pétanque with friends and Belgian waffles to snack on, there will be something for everyone of all ages and interests.
“Through engaging discussion, artistic discoveries and friendly moments, this event embodies our commitment to teaching the French language and the links it creates across many cultures. By welcoming artists and professionals from all over the world, we offer a unique opportunity to francophone and francophile audiences to discover, to think and to share together the beauty of the French language in all its plurality,” says Jérémie Bourdon, Head of School, Lycée Français de New York.
The event will be 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, acclaimed for his vibrant prose, who is the Fair’s guest of honor this year.
Throughout the day, participants will be able to meet dozens of organizations offering cultural activities in French or celebrating French culture in New York. There will also be creative workshops for children ages 2 to 12, as well as pétanque games for adults, a musical performance from Réunion Island and a performance in French of Le Mariage de Figaro, by L’Atelier Théâtre NY.
The event also features three roundtable discussions in French with renowned speakers.
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“Le choix du français pour écrire.” Join a fascinating discussion about the French language as a creative tool with Alain Mabanckou and Kim Thuy, a Vietnamese-Canadian author whose touching novels explore the themes of exile and identity. |
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“La traduction à l’ère de l’intelligence artificielle.” A debate about translation in the era of artificial intelligence 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. |
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“Comment faire aimer la lecture aux enfants et aux adolescents ?” With Victor Dixen, best-selling author of children’s novels and Marion Kadi, author and illustrator, who will share their thoughts on how to captivate young readers and nurture their passion for reading through captivating and inventive stories. |
There will be book signings with these renowned figures from the literary and francophone world, as well as with the authors from Festival International des auteurs francophones.
Le Marriage de Figaro will be performed in French by L’Atelier Théâtre de New York. This contemporary reinterpretation adapted by Guillaume Roper-Sirvent, while respecting Beaumarchais’s language, underscores the force of his message. For ages 11+.
The full schedule is available on the website of the Lycée Français de New York’s Cultural Center.
- Mandatory registration on Eventbrite.
- Access to the fair and the workshops are free and open to all.
- Panel roundtables have a suggested donation of $20. Free for students and under 18.
- Theater play is $20. $10 for students, free under 18 years.
About the Author :
Pascale Richard joined the Lycée as director of the Cultural Center in 2011, where she aims to bring the best of French and American cultures through conferences, concerts, films and various events. In the fall of 2012, she launched the school’s Artist-in-Residence program. Pascale was previously Vice President of External Affairs at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). Her background is in journalism and writing with a focus on lifestyle and fashion. She is a graduate of Sciences-po and holds a master’s in journalism from New York University.