The Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York is hosting a month-long 50th anniversary celebration of French children’s publisher L’École des Loisirs, known for its irreverent and boundary-pushing stories that empower children to explore and indulge their curiosity. Festivities include a free, first-ever U.S. exhibition of original drawings by L’École des Loisirs illustrators, and a series of free kids’ workshops at Albertine Books, MoMA Design Store in SoHo, and The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn.

Curated by writer and blogger Maria Popova and with support from Honorary Chairman and legendary children’s book author and illustrator Tomi Ungerer, the exhibition will showcase original L’École des Loisirs drawings and rare reprints from timeless classics such as Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Zou by Michel Gay and Le plus malin by Mario Ramos.

All events are free, in English, and open to the public.

The exhibition is open everyday: Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm; Sun: 11am-6

'My Friend Victoria' is a French language film directed by Jean Paul Civeyrac “one of French cinema’s best-kept secrets.” This is his first film to have a U.S. release.

An 8-year-old black child named Victoria, is taken in for a night by the wealthy, white, well-intentioned family of one of her schoolmates. The experience haunts her for years to come, shaping her desires. As an adult she unexpectedly reconnects with the family’s youngest son in an encounter that will redirect her life yet again in this probing and intimate look at the politics of race and class identity.

'My Friend Victoria' will open in New York City at IFC Center on December 4th!

Come to browse through a large selection of diverse french books for children (PreK to High School), fiction, non fiction and reading material representing all francophone countries and all topics.

Come and browse through our large selection of  French books for children (PreK to High School), fiction, non fiction and picture books.

Come and browse through our large selection of  French books for children (PreK to High School), fiction, non fiction and picture books.

Join French illustrator Matthieu Maudet (A Mammoth in the Fridge; Hello, Doctor) for a special workshop and reading at Albertine Books. Children will be invited to help Maudet construct a story in real time as he creates drawings based on their suggestions.

For ages 4 and up.

The L’École des Loisirs 50th Anniversary Exhibition is made possible by generous support from L’École des Loisirs, Jacadi, l’Institut français, Yves Delorme, Pistache NYC and Michel et Augustin.

Join French illustrator Matthieu Maudet (A Mammoth in the Fridge; Hello, Doctor) for a special workshop and reading at Albertine Books. Children will be invited to help Maudet construct a story in real time as he creates drawings based on their suggestions.

For ages 4 and up. 

Co-presented by the French Embassy and Jacadi.

This workshop is part of a month-long, city-wide celebration of the 50th Anniversary of L'École des Loisirs. Festivities include a free, first-ever U.S. exhibition of original drawings by L’École des Loisirs illustrators (Nov. 20 - Dec. 20 at 972 Fifth Ave.) and additional free kids’ workshops around the city at Albertine Books, MoMA Design Store in SoHo, and The Invisible Dog Art Center in Brooklyn. All events are free, in English, and open to the public.

Take kids on a journey through the sounds of Africa and the influence they’ve had on music all over the world including jazz, urban, Afro-European, and R&B. 

Award-winning French musicians Les Nubians–known for their hit single "Makeda"–will perform a new set of acoustic songs that tell the story of African music for young audiences.

In French & English for ages 6 & up

Click here to enter for a chance to win four tickets to the concert!

Enter by 4pm on Thu, Dec 3 to be included in the ticket giveaway drawing. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on Thu, Dec 3.

Presented as part of Je Suis Soul in collaboration with the Apollo Theater and the Jazz à Vienne Festival.

EGYPT – BEFORE & AFTER THE SPRING REVOLUTION

Would you like to know how the life of Egyptian women have changed after the revolution?   Join us to discuss this question.

Hosted by Egyptian journalist Barbara Nimri Aziz

Barbara Nimri Aziz, founder of  the Radius of Arab American Writers Inc and producer of RadioTahrir on WBAI. 99.5fm, Aziz is a New York-based anthropologist and journalist working in the Arab lands and writing about it’s people for the past 25 years.

Scheherazade, Tell Me A Story 

Buy tickets

1pm

Egypt, pre-Arab Spring. A popular talk show host causes controversy in Cairo when she focuses her stories on women’s issues. Directed by Yousry Nasrallah, 2009, 135 min, Egypt, fiction, Arabic with English subtitle

Private Revolutions

Buy tickets

3:50 pm

A documentary about four young Egyptian women with different social background who smartly fight for their ideals and rights after the revolution. Directed by Alexandra Schneider, 2014, Austria, 98 min, documentary in Arabic & English with

IMAGE

Eva Hendrickx, an ambitious young journalist working as part of television legend Herman Verbeeck’s team, is determined to cover a story about riots in the suburbs of Brussels. She meets Lahbib, a Moroccan with a dark past who is her guide to his complex and brutal world. But Herman sees a way to exploit Eva’s story in the ever-competitive media game. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Belgium, 2014, 100 min, thriller in French with English subtitles.