As part of the 2011 "Mois de la francophonie", a gathering of over 200 partners, friends, sponsors and beneficiaries of the French Heritage Language Program attended its milestone "réception de l'amitié francophone" on March 15th at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. They were welcomed by Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, and Jane Ross, President of the French Heritage Language Program's advisory board.
To the tune of cheerful live Haitian music played by famous Erny Bruny Band, the party guests celebrated the fifth-year anniversary of the creation of the program which brings culture-based French classes to underserved Francophone populations in New York and Florida. Attendees also got to taste delicious traditional African dishes prepared by the Malian Cultural Center.
A program of the nonprofit foundation FACE (French American Cultural Exchange), the French Heritage Language Program has served over 800 children and teenagers since it was created in 2006, thanks to generous donations and numerous partnerships with Francophone and non-Francophone schools and organizations.
This program receives support from the French Government. Donors to this program include The Alfred and Jane Ross Foundation, Florence Gould Foundation, Grand Marnier Foundation, and Arthur Ross Foundation. Partners include The Internationals Network for Public Schools, The Miami Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, the Malian Cultural Center, and Haitian American in Action.
For pictures of the event by Isseu Diouf click here
Full article on France-Amérique: http://www.france-amerique.com/articles/2011/03/18/le_programme_linguistique_french_heritage_fete_ses_5_ans.html
FHLP Website: www.facecouncil.org/fhlp
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