At Brooklyn Beanstalk, the philosophy is that learning a new language is more than just words on a page – it is a sensory experience that should be an enchanting journey.

The founders, Sophie Amieva and Stephanie Larriere are French natives, certainly equipped with the skills and expertise to extend their knowledge to the children that they welcome at their language immersion program. With extensive backgrounds in Theater and Dance, Sophie and Stephanie integrated their artistic skills into the numerous classes they taught at the International School of Brooklyn.

 Their successes in the classroom encouraged them to design the first Brooklyn Beanstalk French and Spanish immersion language programs, where both teach classes, aiming to “stimulate non-speakers and speakers of the target language alike to give them an opportunity to interact with us and eventually between themselves in a different language”. Using stories, songs, games, dance, art projects and hands-on activities, they hope to engage the children by ‘connecting with their sense of wonder and delight and innate love of play.’

Brooklyn Beanstalk differentiates itself from other immersion programs, as it has developed a distinct, child-centered approach to encouraging the language acquisition process. At Brooklyn Beanstalk they heavily integrate a sense of playfulness into their curriculums, ‘embracing each child’s idiosyncratic personality and learning abilities’, which is something that a very pleased mother emphasizes: “My daughter loves the French playgroups.  We have been going to them for almost two years.  Sophie, the instructor, is very dynamic, and the children respond very well to her. The themes for each term are creative and interesting for the kids.”

Their success is evident, as in the four years that the 

program has existed, 80% of the students have returned to the program, often coming back with their younger siblings. The hopes of many of the parents is for their children to gain acceptance into the increasing dual language schools, where parents of non-target language speakers are ecstatic about their children’s linguistic opportunities outside of the home. The goal of the program is to complement the formal education the children receive: “With language, you learn that one object has not one but many referents. We are constantly assimilating and reshaping our reality.”

This is done through workshops, camps, art programs, a free Beanstalk Hourmonthly story time, and most recently, their weekly Circus Arts Camp, which takes place during the winter and spring school breaks.

If creativity, playfulness, and language acquisition to complement learning in the classroom is what you hope for your children, join the Circus!

For more information, feel free to contact Stephanie Larriere directly at:

stephanie@brooklynbeanstalk.com 

www.brooklynbeanstalk.com

It has long been acknowledged that “work is not work” when one is having fun – and the same is true for children at school, who can learn seamlessly through play. This is a fact that many parents in New York City have recognized, forming playgroups for their children to practice their French language skills throughout the city – all one has to do is look at the many posts about the topic on New York in French.

One of the most recently created groups is the one at Greenpoint Church: “Hi Parents, I am starting a French playgroup in Greenpoint for parents and their children to meet, read French books, listen to French music and play! The playgroup will take place every Friday at the Greenpoint church 136 Milton Street in Brooklyn.” With this greeting on New York in French, Magda Lahliti raised incredible interest to continue her playgroup.

Magda was encouraged to start the playgroups after realizing that she was not alone in wanting her children to preserve their heritage. At only 3-months of age, her son James is one of her students at French for Little Ones. She starts early because “when all your friends and their children speak English it is hard to get your child to speak French because they feel different…With the French playgroup I am hoping to give parents the opportunity to be with other French speaking parents so that our children can feel safe to speak a different language.” When her son reaches kindergarten, Lahliti hopes to enroll her son in one of New York City’s dual language programs.

Brigitte Saint-Ouen, a French mother of twin girls is the wife of a Canadian who also speaks Chinese. Of her diverse family, Brigitte says, “so, in my house I speak French to my twins and they speak French with me and with one another, and speak English to their father, and we translate for him when it is necessary. (Having dinner with us is very interesting).” This diversity is a glimpse into the lives of many New York City inhabitants, who often share numerous languages and cultures under a single roof. 

When her twins were 6 months old, Brigitte began having play dates with her children at home, eventually resulting in over 12 children being in her home for a playdate, and leading her children’s school to allow her a space for her and other children to have play dates three times a week: “this is the 4th year I have organized a monthly play date.  Sometimes, we have 120 families.  In the past, I have invited a guest violinist teacher from opera Bastille to play and educate the children, or a singer of opera, or guitarist teacher, chef who bakes a cake with the children”.

Brigitte’s success has resulted in her creation of the Bleu Blanc Rouge 5-week summer camp where students can be completely immersed in the French language through songs, cooking, science experiments, and numerous hands-on arts and crafts: “my twins are included in class so they call me Maman and the other students call me Brigitte, while the younger children who joined called me Maman Brigitte (I have to say they really touch my heart!)” Brigitte hopes to start a Saturday class in January.

Although their reasons for starting their respective programs may differ, both mothers recognize the importance of complementing their children’s bilingual education at home – and at a young age.

If you are interested in the aforementioned playgroups, feel free to contact the respective parents:

Search “playgroup” on New York in French  http://www.newyorkinfrench.net/main/search/search?q=playgroup#.UnzUmOBvkqQ

For the Greenpoint Church Playgroup

frenchforlittleones@gmail.com or call 3472636404

For The French Speaking Playgroup

 http://www.newyorkinfrench.net/xn/detail/3350642:Topic:226002

For the Manhattan French Playgroup http://www.newyorkinfrench.net/xn/detail/3350642:Topic:237143

Brigitte Saint-Ouen's Camp: 

Camp

Here is a video of Brigitte's Playgroup 

This ‘behind the scenes’ shot is of Moreen Tonny, an intern at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, who has been at the forefront of the ‘dual-language revolution’ in New York City.

Having emigrated from Haiti just three years ago, Tonny has been motivated by her personal experiences in Port au Prince, where she recalls the societal implications of speaking French and Creole. Tonny grew up speaking French in school, but otherwise, engaging in interactions in Creole. “It wasn’t until I came here that I realized how advantageous knowing two languages was, and this is what I would like to promote throughout New York City”.

Promotion is only the beginning of what Tonny has accomplished: she has founded the Brooklyn-Queens Bilingual group, which aims to create French-English dual language programs in public schools in South-East Queens and East Brooklyn. Through extensive research and data analysis, Moreen Tonny and her team have established the extensive need and desire for bilingual education programs in these geographic areas.

At an informational meeting in queens, Tabatha Crayton, a mother to an 11-year old daughter in Cambria Heights, expressed her approval of a French-English dual-language program in her neighborhood: “My daughter’s school is currently under enrolled; this would be a great program to bring there, generating more funds for the school”.

The local librarian who attended the information session attested to the prominence of the local francophone population: “I would say that 80% of the people that walk through the library doors are French speakers”.

What Tonny is working to achieve is more than just linguistic opportunity. She, like numerous others, is bridging the gap between the need and desire to maintain a heritage, preserve cultural identity, and most importantly, encourage global solidarity.

The work does not end with Moreen Tonny and her team. In fact, the success of any dual language program rests heavily on the efforts of the parents and faculty collaborating to make these programs a fruitful reality.

After the information session, Tabatha Crayton promised to speak to her daughter’s principal, who she hopes will support her in making her daughter’s bilingual educational opportunities a possibility – one parent like this at a time is all it takes for the success of the dual-language revolution in New York City.

------

For more information on the program and how to start a dual-language program at your local New York City school, contact Moreen Tonny at:  bqbilingualgroup@gmail.com 

Like the group on Facebook: French English Dual Language Programs in NYC

With Columbus Day shortly behind us, one can continue to thank him and his peers for the discovery of another beautiful country: following his location of other Caribbean islands, in 1493 Christopher Columbus reached Guadeloupe -- originally called Karukera (“island of beautiful waters”) by the Caribs.

Guadeloupians, who claim to be “so French, yet undeniably Caribbean”, surely have a vibrant presence in New York City. The “Destination Guadelope” New York Festival manifests itself in the city each year, featuring culinary, artistic, and musical exposés from the island. Venues like the West Village's SOB’s showcase the vibrant Guadeloupian culture. The nightclub starts of its events with a traditional dinner and cocktails experience by a chef uniquely flown in from the island, paired with jazz, zouk, and mazurka performances -- truly an authentic Guadeloupian experience.  

In addition, June 1^st of this year marked the start of Caribbean Week in New York. Presented by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, this week provided the Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board with a marketplace to promote its new ‘Let Me Show You My Islands’ campaign, enlisting supermodel Willy Fromet as its US ambassador.

 Tourism aside, for the past five years, June is officially recognized as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. According to the Brooklyn State Senator, "It is impossible to imagine New York and particularly Brooklyn without the vibrant presence of the 600,000 immigrants of Caribbean descent who are our families, friends and treasured partners in the prosperity and quality of life of our community. Since the first wave of Caribbean-American immigrants came to our shores through Ellis Island, they have maintained a strong cultural distinctiveness. For these pioneers, developing an identity was a difficult task but believing in an America where people can exist in their own selfhood yet find a common ground based on respect, they constructed an environment of social equality. Since then they have enriched this country socially, economically and politically with their sterling contributions. In recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month we celebrate the collective contributions they have made to the global family."

The second Taste of France event went on this past weekend, and I feel fortunate to have taken part in the 2-day francophone festivities.

The many stands that filled Bryant Park this weekend provided one with the opportunity to explore the French culture through lifestyle, technology, fashion, beauty, cuisine, wine and spirits, tourism, culture, children and fun.

They weren't kidding when they advertised that, "the French of the world have united to give you a complete sensory experience of their motherland" -- a sensory experience was indeed provided, and not only for my taste buds, which ventured into the delicious land of French classics like macarons and delicious wine .

For the more adventurous folk, there was "le meilleur de la gastronomie française": brandade de morue, charcuterie, seafood from Marseille, among dozens of other delicious options.

And where do you leave behind the adorable kids posing with berets and mustaches beside an enormous 'butter-filled' recreation of La Tour Eiffel? - Or the dozens of French Bulldogs?

All in all, what a wonderfully delicious taste of France!

Although there are only approximately 2500 Togolese Americans in the United States, the majority of the population is reported to live in New York or Chicago.  

With that said, the Togolese Americans who live in New York have established LiftTogo, formerly the Association of Togolese Students in America (ATSA), representing the large majority of the Togolese diaspora who immigrated to the United States to further their education.  

LiftTogo is an association with a twofold mission: “First, to raise awareness and provide assistance to the underserved children living in Togo and other parts of Africa; Second, to provide advisement and resources for students from Togo who have immigrated to the U.S.” This mission represents the Togolese spirit of opportunity redistribution. With the help of the local New York community, LiftTogo is also working on raising awareness on the underdeveloped educational systems in Togo, and in Africa at-large.  

LiftTogo has a yearly Independence Day soccer competition, in addition to numerous summer activities such as barbecues and community development forums.

In addition to LiftTogo, the American Togolese Community (AMETOCO) is also a nonprofit organization that was created by Togolese Americans, “with the burning desire to fill in the existing gap, first between Togolese themselves leaving abroad and second between them and the motherland Togo.” The organization seeks to accomplish this goal by empowering Togolese Americans to organize yearly trips to Togo, centered on philanthropic initiatives, and by organizing community events within the borders of the United States.

The relationship between Morocco and the United States is a long-standing one: Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent United States.

The first documented Moroccan to come to the United States is Azemmouri, who led 300 Spaniards on his pilot boat to Florida, and then continuing with the three who survived the 11-year journey, westward to Texas.

From Azemmouri’s expedition in 1527, large waves of Moroccan immigration to the United States continued, particularly after the Second World War, during the 70’s and 80’s, mostly settling in New York City, New England, Washington D.C., California, and Texas.

Most Moroccans settling in New York City were university students or recent college graduates, and with them, they brought a distinct drive for small business, expertise in many higher level fields, and

In New York alone, there is a community of about 9000 Moroccan-Americans. The dozens of Moroccan organizations in the United States, speaks to the poignant presence of the heritage in the country. These include, The American Moroccan Forum,the Association of Moroccans in America,Friends of Morocco, The Moroccan American Business Council, and the Moroccan American National Association.

New York also celebrates its Moroccan population, with numerous exhibitions and cultural recognitions, such as the 2011 exposé in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, focusing on the North African tile art and the 2011 World Nomads Morocco Festival by the French Institute Alliance Française, recognizing the music and art of the country.

From Azemmouri in 1527 to the most recent Moroccan immigrants to the United States, the history of these two countries continues to have a colorful presence in the metropolitan mosaic.

The relationship between Morocco and the United States is a long-standing one: Morocco was one of the first countries to recognize the newly independent United States.

The first documented Moroccan to come to the United States is Azemmouri, who led 300 Spaniards on his pilot boat to Florida, then continuing with the only three who survived the 11-year journey, westward to Texas.

From Azemmouri’s expedition in 1527, large waves of Moroccan immigration to the United States continued, particularly after the Second World War, during the 70’s and 80’s, mostly settling in New York City, New England, Washington D.C., California, and Texas.

Most Moroccans settling in New York City during the later half of the 20th Century were university students or recent college graduates, and with them, they brought a distinct drive for small business and expertise in many higher level fields.

In New York alone, there is a community of about 9000 Moroccan-Americans. The dozens of Moroccan organizations in the United States, speaks to the poignant presence of the heritage in the country. These include: The American Moroccan Forum,the Association of Moroccans in America,Friends of Morocco, The Moroccan American Business Council, and the Moroccan American National Association.

                                                                                                                     Moroccan Pianist Performs in Carnegie Hall

New York also celebrates its Moroccan population, with numerous exhibitions and cultural recognitions, such as the 2011 exposé in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which focused on the North African tile art, and the 2011 World Nomads Morocco Festival by the French Institute Alliance Française, recognizing the music and art of the country.

From Azemmouri in 1527, to the most recent Moroccan immigrants to the United States, the history of these two countries continues to have a colorful presence in the metropolitan mosaic.

Cinq ans plus tard, je suis chez Aurore. Elle est exactement comme je l'avais prévu: joviale, souriante, et accueillante. Même si je ne l'avais vue qu'une seule fois auparavant, je me sentais à l'aise - après cinq ans, en parlant sur internet presque tous les jours, je sentais que je la connaissait mieux que des membres de ma famille, notre relation s'est développée comme Facebook, avec Facebook - d'abord, à travers des messages instantanés, puis quelques échanges de photos, et quand le temps le permettait, des rendez-vous vidéo.

On avait rien à perdre et tout à gagner.

J'ai accompagné Aurore jusqu'à la fin du lycée, pendant son déplacement de Toulon à Paris, à son commencement au  Lycée Henri IV, où elle a rencontré et est tombée amoureuse de Pierre, et quand elle est tombée malade et a dû subir deux interventions chirurgicales - à travers Aurore, j'ai vécu une autre vie française - celle de l'amour, de perte, de réussites et de maladie.

A travers moi, Aurore a vécu une vie américaine - celle de l'amour, de perte, de réussites et de maladie.

Le 21 Juin, on célébrait notre rencontre, qui était aussi majestueux que La Fête de la Musique, qui faisait devenir les trottoirs des salles de danse - et les gens, des papillons.

-----

Five years later, I'm at Aurore's house. She is exactly like I had pictured her to be: jovial, positive, and welcoming. Even if it was just one time before this one that I had met her, I felt at ease -- after five years, speaking online almost every day, I felt like I knew her better than some members of my family; our relationship developed like Facebook, with Facebook -- first, through some instant messages, then some picture exchanges, and when time allowed, video hangouts. 

We had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. 

I accompanied Aurore just until the end of high school, during her relocation from Toulon to Paris, to the start at Lycée Henri IV, where she met and fell in love with Pierre, and when she was sick and had to undergo two surgeries -- through Aurore, I vicariously lived a French life - one of love, of loss, of success, and of illness. 

Through me, Aurore lived an American life - one of love, of loss, of success, and of illness. 

The 21st of June, we celebrated our reencounter, which was as majestic as La Fête de la Musique, which turned sidewalks into dance floors - and the people, butterflies. 

About 48 sleepless hours later, I was in Paris. It was the perfect night to be in the City of Lights; The City found a reason to celebrate, (without any specific reason at all), as it joined the rest of the country in La Fête de la Musique.

From blues to metal, every sound made me feel more and more awake, helping me forget the 7-hour layover and the jet lag altogether.

With every corner that we turned, we were literally transported to a different decade, or another part of the world – and better yet, all of this was taking place just a few doorsteps away from my apartment.

That’s Paris for you.

Forget the cars. At night, pedestrians rule the streets. From all the ‘Portes’ of Paris to the Seine, the roads become a never-ending dance floor, restaurants - concert halls, people- butterflies.

And it was only Day 1.

From musicians to business-owners, soccer players and social activists, Cameroonians grace the New York francophonie with a diverse range of contributions to the vitality of the City. 

With a long history of migration to the United States, Cameroonians, like many other modern-day immigrants of African descent, are attracted by the opportunities available in large cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Boston.

Many opt for owning and operating their own businesses.  Others, like Joseph Nane, who was recently recruited by the New York Cosmos to play as a midfielder, are invited in. 

A special case of salvation is true for Njoya Hilary Tikum, a Cameroonian was granted political asylum in 2006 as a Cameroonian refugee after being persecuted for his human rights activism.  In an interview with the New York Times, Tikum said of his arrival, “For me, Times Square represents a new beginning…I love it.”

The vast majority of Cameroonians are not invited or recruited in: they, voluntarily leave their homeland, many enticed by the cultural opportunities in New York City.

Music and dance are fundamental parts of the Cameroonian culture, often included in important family events like weddings and funerals alike. Many Cameroonian-Americans in New York aim to promote this through their own variation of contemporary and traditional music. Gino Sitson, who came from the Bamileke region of Cameroon, is an award winning, New York-based vocal virtuoso.

Distinct individuals like Nane and Sitson are certainly fueling the cultural exchange between Cameroon and the United States – and what better place to do it than in the cultural mosaic that is New York City?

A sample of Sitson’s music can be found here: http://www.ginositson.com/

Outside of France, the Democratic Republic of Congo is the country with the largest population of French speakers in the world.

Adding to the francophone diversity of the region, the Congolese-American population in New York is a very established community, becoming increasingly prevalent within the past decade.

Starting in the 1960s, large waves of voluntary migration from the Democratic Republic of Congo made their way to the United States for educational reasons, most returning home after earning their degrees.

However, increasing political and economic conflicts in the region during the 1980s and 1990s caused another wave of Congolese migration to occur, this time, most migrants deciding to settle in the United States.

After Boston, New York has the largest Congolese-American population. Their presence is certainly felt, as numerous events and festivals take place each year celebrating vibrant Congolese traditions.

For the past four years, The Maysles Institute has held “Congo in Harlem”, a weeklong series of film screenings and special events to celebrate the Congolese Culture, along with panel discussions and receptions on the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

The Congo Leadership Initiative is a New York–based organization started by Congolese Americans that aims to “empowers young people in the Congo by preparing them to be leaders with a proven curriculum”.

Both the Maysles Institute and the Congo Leadership Initiative are perfect examples of the strong ongoing ties established between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The close-to 10,000 members of this New York in French community is a perfect example of the increasing interest in all things French by both the francophone and non-francophone population in New York City. 
 
In an interview with the New York Post, French expat Brunot, who was lived in New York for two years, claimed, “there are French people everywhere in New York… It’s weird, but I’ve never felt so much at home as I do in New York. You are free here. You are never bored. Going home feels too much like settling down.”            
       

Like many others, Brunot represents the “nouvelle vague” of young Parisians moving to New York for new educational or professional experiences or enticed by the exciting atmosphere of the City.
 
As of 2010, it is estimated that there are about 70,000 French nationals living in the greater New York Area, 27,875 registered in Manhattan with the French Consulate. No wonder French is the fourth most spoken language in New York. 
                                                                          

Numbers aside, the French presence is truly felt through the hundreds of French shops and restaurants that mark the City’s landscape. Girl’s Guide to Paris has put together a list of the best French Places in New York. A pretty comprehensive list of all French businesses throughout the City can be found at French Culture Guide. 

 
          ("French Shops" in New York)

There are also numerous organizations throughout New York that help to facilitate the French-American cultural exchange, including the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) and The Cultural Services of the French Embassy. Yearly, thousands of French music, art, and cinema events take place throughout New York City.

The upcoming Films on the Green Festival, which features free French films throughout various parks in Manhattan and Brooklyn was started just a few summers ago, and ever since has enticed thousands to come out to the various screenings in New York City. Program Officer Nathalie Charles has been at the forefront of its success, consecutively adding screenings and park locations every summer, a perfect example of a French national encouraging the French-American cultural exchange.                                                                                                                                                                      

Starting on June 7th, the Festival will satisfy anyone's craving for French cinema, this year, with the theme of "amour". The Festival lineup, locations, and dates can be found here: French Culture.

The French-American relationship will only continue to grow – as it is one that dates back to the times of the American Revolution, and is currently being fueled by innumerable interpersonal relationships in the United States and abroad.

Before the Peace Corps was present in Tunisia in the early 1960’s, there was little interest for Tunisians to immigrate to the United States. It wasn’t until then, through the perceived generosity and hospitality of the Americans in Tunisia, that an interest was sparked to travel to the United States.

The American-Tunisians population continued through grow through the creation of the Technology Transfer Program, launched in the U.S. in 1981, aiming to encourage young and talented Tunisians to pursue an education in the United States through grants and scholarships. By the late 1990’s, over 8000 young Tunisians had made their way to the United States.

The dispersion of the Tunisian American population throughout the country led to the creation of TunisianCommunity.org, which to this day seeks to be a ‘virtual home’ for Tunisians located all over the United States.

Today, there are dozens of Tunisian American organizations all over the country, including a student federation and the IBN KHALDUN Institute.

In New York, the Tunisian Culture Institute is a major hub for the thousands of Tunisian-Americans that call New York City home. In addition to being a major support system for Tunisian-American relations, the Institute works diligently to promote the Tunisian culture in the United States through various yearly events and festivals

This year, it has partnered with the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) to establish “FIAF’s biennial celebration of 21st-century transculturalism in the Francophone world. This May, the festival returns for its fifth edition to explore the rich arts and culture of Tunisia just two years after the Arab Spring.”

The festival, World Nomads Tunisia, includes dozens of musical, dance, and cinematic events throughout the month of May. It begins on Saturday, May 3^rd, with a Concert (named one of the week’s 10 best concerts by the Village Voice) by Tunisian artist, Sonia M’Barek.

For more information, please refer to the link below:

http://www.fiaf.org/worldnomads/tunisia/2013-05-03-opening-concert.shtml

With a population of over 16 million, the Ivory Coast stands as the 6^th largest francophone country by population.

It is estimated that there are about 3000 people of Ivorian descent in the United States, most of whom call New York City or Washington DC their home.

Although this population is relatively small, wherever it is, the Ivorian American presence is certainly felt – or tasted. 

With the goal of “eating the world” in New York City, one happy critic of the restaurant New Ivoire in East Harlem claims: “the owner would sit with them at times, giving the place a very friendly local feel. As newcomers we did not stand out at all though, even if my spotty French was not quite enough at times to describe what I wanted.”

And if you’re craving Ivorian food, you can get exactly what it is that you want. Either there or in one of the numerous West African restaurants that are sprinkled throughout the City. It is there where you might ‘taste’ other aspects of the country as well, including a soccer match on one of the TV screens, the sound of Alpha Blondy, Côte D’Ivoire’s best known singer, or the sight a traditional wood carving on the wall.

If you’re in the mood to experience the culture through dance, New York’s own Ivorian-American, Vado Diomande, leads West African dance classes at the Alvin Ailey Extension Center in Manhattan.

The food, the tradition, and the art are not the only things that categorize the Ivorian people. Above all, as many have described the interactions with Ivorian-Americans ( and as their national anthem emphasizes) the Ivorian people are ones of ultimate friendliness from the «Pays de l'hospitalité ».

For more information on the restaurants mentioned above, please refer to the link below:

                The New Ivoire

For a small island with a population of 412,305 people, 98 percent of the population in Martinique lives in urban areas, certainly one of the reasons that attracts Martinicans to New York City; however, their long history of immigration to the United States certainly extends beyond the modern day ---

Characterized by a unique blend of French and Creole culture, including cuisine and linguistics, Martinican culture is also paired with a distinctive mix of sensuous music and dance and artistic expression, representative of the emancipation from slavery.

Martinique is certainly a land of its own, hence its reputation as the Pays des Revenants (Land to Which One Returns) – this explains why an additional 30% of the population lives in France, where Martinicans are official citizens. An additional 10% is estimated to live abroad, specifically in the United States, in Miami and New York.

The increasing Martinican Diaspora called for the establishment of numerous consulates and embassies throughout the country, including New York, Atlanta, and Puerto Rico in the past few decades.

New York City’s French Institute/Alliance Française even has a yearly Christmas celebration of Martinican tradition, where one can “enjoy traditional carols, try out some festive zouk dances, groove to a traditional Martinican band, and indulge in a traditional Martinican holiday meal.” – a perfect example of the francophone mosaic in New York.

Seeing a growing need for American and Martinican relations, in the past two years, flights between the two nations have increased, including the establishment of direct flights from New York and Miami from numerous airlines.

Zagat rates three places where one can connect with the Martinican culture right here in New York City through lambi and court-boullon traditional meals.

Just by the vast number of groups and organizations they established in New York, including the Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art, the Swiss Society of New York, and the Swiss Ski Club, among others, the Swiss presence is certainly evident in the City.

 And it doesn’t end at their ability to organize.

Since the mid 1500s, when the first Swiss immigrant recorded to arrive in the United States, Theobald von Erlach, the late 18th and 19th century saw a flow of Swiss immigration, which increased after the Great Depression, establishing themselves as farmers and businessmen alike. 

Throughout New York City, dozens of Swiss restaurants line the streets, prepared to offer the best käsefondue (cheese fondue) or Zürcher Geschnetzeltes, a traditional meat dish, catering the vast number of Swiss-Americans in NYC.

 According to the latest Census, there are over one million Swiss-Americans in the United States, New York City, having the highest concentration of Swiss-Americans of any other city in the country. 

What better way to celebrate one’s heritage than through a Swiss National Day in New York? Each year, with over twenty sponsors, the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York organizes an event to celebrate ‘Switzerland’s birthday, at the Central Park Zoo. The event showcases various Swiss interest groups, including educational, athletic, and philanthropic organizations. 

The Swiss Society of New York is also a great place for Swiss-Americans to connect with their heritage, aiming to “increase interest in Switzerland and its rich culture and heritage as well as the achievements of Swiss immigrants in the United States, we provide a platform to exchange ideas and make new business contacts and/or personal friends who are interested in Switzerland and its affairs”, which it definitely supports through its monthly Swiss Networking Event. 

No denying that the phrase  “Vive la Suisse” is exemplified in various ways throughout the City –through the very people that breathes it to life.  

----

For more information on Swiss restaurants in the City, click on either of the links below: 

http://business.intuit.com/boorah-restaurants/cu/NY/90/Swiss.html

http://www.sndnyc.org/swiss-village.html

In May 1624, the ship “Nieu Nederlandt” carried about 30 Belgian families to the Manhattan Island Coast, what is today Governor’s Island. The families then dispersed throughout the northeast into Delaware, New Jersey, and Connecticut, mostly remaining in New York City. It is said that when Henry Hudson sailed up the New York river, three Belgians accompanied him, exemplifying the vast historical prominence of the Belgian population in the United States, particularly in New York City.

Following their arrival in the Country, from 1615, the region between Virginia and New England was named New Belgium, referring to the ancient Netherland, which consisted of present-day Belgium, Netherland, Luxembourg, and Northern France. Although most Belgian American populations reside in Michigan and Wisconsin, New York State certainly has a large population of them as well, evident through Town/City names such as Hoboken, and Communipaw among others

The Belgian-American presence in New York City is evident through the tremendous immigration records in Ellis Island, which many Belgian Americans are using to trace down their roots, including Belgian family trees that go up to the 17^th Century. Belgian Americans are looking into various methods of connecting to the “mother land”. As a Belgian American mother says,“… I moved to the States in 2004 with my family. I have two children with dual nationality. My husband is American. We met in the States and got married in 1989. My husband speaks Flemish and a lit bit of French and in the US I have taught foreign languages to children and adults. …I am really proud of the Belgian heritage and what the Belgian have achieved in the States.”

Clearly there is a linguistic and cultural desire to connect with Belgium for the over 360,642 Belgian Americans in the United States. For the 12,304 living in New York, there is a vast opportunity for them to learn the various official languages,taste the traditional food, or enjoy an authentic Belgian beer.

With over 21,000 Canadians living in New York City, the number doubling since 2000, Canadians make up the eight-largest population of foreign-born residents, with 70,000 to 99,000 unauthorized Canadians in the nation: although most of the 2-5 million self-identifying French-Canadians live in Louisiana, a wide majority of the Canadian population in New York haul from the francophone provinces of Canada, including Quebec and parts of Nova Scotia' inarguably, they represent the largest francophone group in North America.

Due to the long history of French/British colonization of Canada, Canadian French has certainly taken a flavor of its own, blending old French with English words to formulate a unique language variation. For example, whereas in France, money is ‘argent’, in Canada, the word for money is ‘bacon’. Also, instead of the word for 'copine' or ‘petite amie’, meaning girlfriend, French Canadians commonly say, ‘ma blonde’ even if the girlfriend isn’t blonde at all.

To immerse yourself in the French-Canadian community in New York City, feel free to join the Canadian Association of New York, which has over 500 members, known for hosting a glamorous ‘Maple Leaf Ball’ in New York. For a more low-key, casual environment, join the ‘Canadians in NYC’ Facebook group, which boasts of having over 1,000 members or New York in French’s very own social group, “Culture Québécoise”.

According to a French-Canadian living in New York City, “as a displaced Montrealer, I naturally miss the tastes of home. Of course, living in New York, it's not too hard to stay gastronomically satisfied”, and he is certainly right.

Below is a list put together by CBC, of shops and restaurants to help one ‘feel Canadian in New York City’:

1. Tim Hortons

It all begins with this doughnut chain. I wish that wasn't true but it is. They now have 11 locations in NYC and it really is comforting as a Canadian to see them sprinkled around the city. Yes, they signed some sort of Faustian pact with Cold Stone Creamery to do it, and they may have single-handedly destroyed the coffee shop lifestyle in Canada, but they're Tim Friggin' Hortons!!! Besides, Tegan (or was it Sara?) wore a Tim Hortons shirt when they played Letterman, so how bad can they be?


Still not convinced? Looking for a less "mainstream" Canadian treat? Head to dirtcandy. Owned and operated by a proud Canadian, this small and popular place (Note: You will need a reservation) is one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants in the city, and their Ice Cream Nanaimo Bar is as addictive as Tim Hortons' coffee.


2. Bars

Looking for bars that aren't of the Nanaimo persuasion? There are a few good places to grab a strange brew and watch the hockey game in NYC. The Blue Moon Mexican Café has been adopted by a loyal and boisterous group of Sabres fans (NAFTA at work!) and serves bottles of Blue during every hockey game they can find on the dial.


Of course, for my slightly more valuable money, the most Canadian bar in New York City is Ontario. Look, it's not perfect, they don't have a TV and it's in Williamsburg, so if you joke that there's a mouse in your beer you'll be met with blank hipster stares, but they serve Canadian, Blue AND Moosehead (and a better than average selection of Canadian whiskys) and their jukebox - packed with Neil Young, Constantines and Stars - is unrivaled. Plus, they have an air hockey table and a fireplace in the back and there's nothing more Canadian than that except, maybe...



3. Poutine

I know, I know, how can poutine be this low on the list?! Well, truth be told, even with socialized medicine, I don't know a single Canadian who eats this stuff on a regular basis and it's kind of annoying how it's become something of an ironic delicacy here in New York, particularly in Brooklyn. But, like Tim Horton's, it's one of those exclusively Canadian things and despite what that snobby French Canadian sitting next to you on the plane says, you really can find decent poutine here. My favourites can be found in Brooklyn at Mile End (a Montreal-style delicatessen), Sheep Station (an Australian pub that also has a good selection of Canadian beers) and Corner Burger, or in Manhattan at Pommes Frites and Shopsin's. The hearty traveler can hit them all in one day and the walk across the bridge in-between will keep your pants loose.


4. Clothing

Speaking of pants, New York also offers an interesting selection of Canadian food-themed clothing. This fall, a low-priced clothing retailer called Joe Fresh will open its first store in Manhattan. Hugely popular in Canada, it's most notable for operating out of grocery stores. The company's expansion into the U.S. is reportedly modeled after the one taken by the Vancouver-based retailer lululemon, which sounds more like a dessert than a yoga line.


5. Terry Fox Run

Those exercise clothes will come in handy during this year's Terry Fox Run on October 15 in Central Park. The annual non-competitive charity run is held worldwide in memory of Canadian cancer activist Terry Fox and his Marathon of Hope. It has already raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research. Coffee, hot chocolate, juices, fruits and pastries will be available before and after the run courtesy of the Four Seasons Hotel and, of course, Tim Hortons. Maybe Tegan and Sara were right.

Lebanon itself is a mosaic, a country of many ethnical, linguistic, and religious denominations, making it a perfect fit for the inherent nature of New York City. It is a nation of blended cultures, where Arabic, French, Greek, and Armenian can be spoken, and the most religiously diverse country in the Middle East.

The first Lebanese immigrant to set shore on the United States is Antonios Bishallany, arriving in Boston and living in Brooklyn until the time of his death in 1856. Since 1856, there has been a myriad of Lebanese immigrants to follow in Bishallany’s footsteps, particularly in the 1990s, as the Lebanese sought refuge from the Lebanese Civil War.

Due to a tumultuous history of displacement, it is estimated that out of the 18 million Lebanese in the world, the vast majority is in the diaspora, residing outside of Lebanon. Most Lebanese expatriates are in Brazil and the United States, each nation with populations of 10 million and 3.3 million Lebanese, respectively.

A booming Lebanese community graces New York City, Brooklyn being home to one of the oldest Lebanese populations for over 125 years. Their presence is not limited to Brooklyn, however: In Manhattan, a Lebanese Club, “provides the means for Lebanese Americans, expatriated Lebanese, or "new in town" Lebanese to meet other Lebanese people in this city.” In the past, this has included social cruises along the Hudson River, cultural performances, and casual dinner dates.

The Lebanese cuisine is certainly filled with acclaimed signature dishes, which are known for being both healthy and delicious. According to CBS, the top five Lebanese restaurants in the city are literally only subway stops away, including Ilili in Chelsea, and Le Sajj in Brooklyn.

If you’re on the go, there’s even the Lebanese Toum Food Truck to track down. Perhaps what makes Lebanese food so delicious is the blend of exotic flavors from the many cultures that the nation has adopted over the years—accessible to us only ‘a stop away’.