Sign of the regrowth of the teachning in French in Louisiana, 153 louisianan students received the DELF. The Consul General Mr. Jean-Claude Brunet presented it to 77 students of New Orleans and of Lafayette’s region on Oct. 25th and Nov. 6th, and the Cultural Attaché Deputy M. Philippe Aldon presented 39 in Baton Rouge on Nov. 21st, 14 in Lake Charles on Dec. 3rd and will present 23 at New Iberia on Dec. 10th.

20 high school students of Saint-Nazaire (Brittany) members of the association Trusquare Solidarity went to the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans to join in the rebuilding effort in this neighborhood among the most damaged by 2005 hurricane Katrina. Hosted by their penpals of Benjamin Franklin, they could also discover what the American high school life is.

In recognition of her extraordinary contribution and devotion to the teaching of French language and culture, Mrs Mary Beth Ellis, teacher for 30 years at the Metairie Park Country Day High School received the Ordre des Palmes Académiques on Nov. 5th 2013, in presence of the students and the whole school’s staff there for the occasion.

In order to salute as well the commitment of Dr. Alfred Lemmon, historian and Director of the Archives of the New Orleans Historic Collection and his contribution to the promotion of the French culture in Louisiana, the Consul General also awarded him of the insignas of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques at a reception at THNOC on Oct. 28th.

Samuel Liégeon, organiste in residence at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France in New Orleans in 2013 gave on November 24th a last concert before his return to France. The Consulate welcomes the new organist, Thomas Kientz of Strasbourg, with the exchange program organized since several years under the direction of Dr. Alfred Lemmon, allowing young French talents to come meet the louisianan public.

The port of Baton Rouge chose the French company Louis Dreyfus Commodities for its new grain elevator and transshipment terminal on the Port of Baton Rouge, inaugurated on Oct. 1st in presence of Louisiana’s Governor Mr. Bobby Jindal, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mr. Mike Strain, CEO of LDC Mrs Margarita Louis-Dreyfus, General Manager Mr. Echesortu, numerous representatives of Batonr Rouge and the Consul General of France Mr. Jean-Claude Brunet.

A delegation from Rhone-Alpes Tourism led by Senator Jean Besson came to New Orleans, Thibodaux, Baton Rouge, Vermilionville and Lafayette to promote their region and meet various stakeholders of the French-speaking and Francophile communities of Louisiana, as well as locals interested in business opportunities in the Rhône-Alpes region. The delegation was answering Lieutenant Governor Jay Dardenne invitation in 2012 while in Lyon, and it is at the moment Kim Cook, CEO of the Arts Council of New Orleans, who is at the Festival of Lights in Lyon in order to develop contacts in prevision of partnerships and expertise exchange opportunities between Louisiana and Rhône-Alpes region.

For her consistent commitment in the French community, Mrs Kristie Holm was recently named in the National Order of Merit. Implicated in the community since 2001, Mrs Holm is also the legal counsel of the Consulate since 2008.

6 Dec. :  Cine-club « Baisers Volés » of François Truffaut @ AFNO
6 Dec. : Deadline for the inscription to the casting of Joan of Arc 2014
7 Dec. : Marché d'Hiver of the Lycée Français @Campus 5401 S. Claiborne Ave. (New Orleans)
9 Dec. : Screening of « Le Prénom » at 7 :30pm @Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center (New Orleans)
9 Dec. : concert of Arnaud Sussman (violin) @ Tulane University’s Dixon Hall (New Orleans)
12 Dec. : Book club « Et puis Paulette » of Barbara Constantine @AFNO
14 Dec. : Children’s Christmas @AFNO
30 Dec. : Cine-club « Baisers Volés » de François Truffaut @ Healing Center
6 Jan. : King cakes of the Alliance Française of New Orleans (To Be Determined)
6 Jan. :  Book club « Le Sermon sur la chute de Rome » de Jérôme Ferrari
10 Jan. : Cine-club « Je crois que je l’aime » de Pierre Jolivet @ AFNO
27 Jan. : Cine-club « Je crois que je l’aime » de Pierre Jolivet @ Healing Center

The Consulate General of France in New Orleans wishes you excellent end of the year celebrations !