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The French Connection

As the World’s Largest Cultural Organization, Alliance Française Brings Atlanta Closer to France

[ Written By lissa poirot ]

Despite a former “ban” on all things French, you have to admit French culture is the crème of the crop. From gourmet dishes, decadent pastries and the world’s best culinary institutes to Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy, and from the art movement of Impressionism with its blend of vibrant colors by renowned painters like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, to ultra chic couture and prêt-a-porter fashion, the French know how to live. And for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in French culture, as well as learn the true language of love, Atlanta’s ­Alliance Française is here to provide a taste of France through its programs and classes for adults of all ages.

Photo Courtesy of Alliance Française

Talk, Talk, Talk

Alliance Française isn’t an average cultural organization. Unlike citywide groups to unite people sharing the same heritage, Alliance Française is a united group bringing people of different heritages closer to understanding all that is French. “The Alliance Française exists across the country, beginning here in Atlanta in 1912, to serve as a place where people from French-speaking countries could have peaceful relations and talk and have a dialogue. But our mission is not to be a support to French-speaking people. Our organization is geared toward Americans, Germans, Brazilians, Chinese and people from all over the world who have an interest in speaking French and learning about French culture,” said Claude Wegscheider, director of Alliance Française d’Atlanta.

The worldwide organization dates back to 1883 when Louis Pasteur (discoverer of Pasteurization) and Ferdinand de Lesseps (designer of the Suez Canal) decided to bring the influence of France around the world through language and culture, countering the old-fashioned way of influencing countries with power and might. The result was an organization that would welcome any person interested in learning about French culture, and helping students become fluent in its language.

For Francophiles wanting to master the romance language, year-round courses taught in the Alliance Française classrooms pair fluent French teachers, often born and raised in French-speaking countries, with students, immersing them in the language in ways most adult education school programs do not.

“We are different from other language schools because you can go to a number of places and say you want to learn French. You take the classes and then that’s it. Here, all of our members and students can also attend a whole series of cultural programs like movies and film festivals, guest speakers from France and a variety of events in the arts, politics and society,” Wegscheider said.

As anyone who ever took a foreign language in high school can attest, you may be able to learn a new language, but if you don’t use it, you lose it. The supplemental cultural programs offered by Alliance Française allow members to not only learn the language through French book clubs, French films and dinners at French restaurants, they join fellow members to converse in French and actually have a place to practice using their acquired skill.

Said Obsé Ababiya, marketing and development, “Our introduction to French isn’t just through the language but to the culture. The language is introducing people to the culture where we have movies and book clubs. But it is also something people who have an interest in the culture can do, and then they may develop a desire to learn the language. It’s comprehensive; it’s not one or the other, it’s together.”

In fact, the organization’s language program, which consists of four quarters per year with classes nearly every day of the week for all levels of fluency from beginner to advanced, is so renowned that Atlanta’s biggest businesses turn to Alliance Française when they need to educate their staff. When Delta Air Lines began offering non-stop service to France, it sent its flight attendants and pilots to the organization’s language classes. When the High Museum of Art planned to bring the three-year Louvre exhibit to Atlanta and city officials welcomed the 1996 Olympic Games, both sent those who would be speaking with administrators to classes to better converse with their French-speaking counterparts. When researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have to discuss worldly diseases and infections, those speaking to French nations went through Alliance Française’s programs.

Joie de Vie

But Alliance Française programs don’t require any participant to speak French, just to want to enjoy French culture. “CinéSoiree” movie events feature French-speaking films with English subtitles, and begin with a wine and cheese event. Those interested in participating in the book club or Proust Club of Atlanta can read English-translated versions of selected titles. Educational programs such as last spring’s “The Harlem Renaissance and Paris,” which brought Emory University professor Dr. Richard Long to the High Museum for a look at how Paris had a connection to the Harlem Renaissance through many prominent figures like Langston Hughes and Josephine Baker, are conducted in English. And guided group trips to France, such as this past summer’s organized trip to the Loire Valley to visit castles, experience French cooking and taste regional wines, help introduce France to visitors who may not want to travel alone.

Special English-led courses are also held to bring people closer to French culture, such as the “Tour de France of Wines,” a six-week course focusing on French grapes and wine regions with tastings and hors d’oeuvres, and a French Cuisine course last led by former American Embassy and French Prime Minister’s Chef Anthony Ferre, that followed each class with dinner and wine.

As a nonprofit organization, Alliance Française supports itself through a variety of events throughout the year, including its largest annual fundraiser celebrating Bastille Day every July. The black-tie event is attended by hundreds of people who, through Alliance Française, discovered a new way to enjoy life – viva la France! PN

Fall Programs

Alliance Française’s Fall Session runs Oct. 8 – Dec. 15, with classes for all levels of French (beginner, intermediate, advanced intermediate, conversation and advanced) to cinema, trans-Atlantic debate, French wine (taught in English), and more.

Classes are offered at the One Midtown Plaza office on 1360 Peachtree St. at 12 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. either once a week for three hours or twice a week for 1.5 hours. Saturday classes from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. are also available. For a complete schedule, please visit www.afatl.com. To register, call 404-875-1211.