Bernard Pivot Fourth Issue | Summer 2006 Summer 2006 ommaire s4 Board of Directors 5 Le Mot de la Présidente 6 Guest editorial 11 Proclamation 14 Federation Convention & Annual Meeting 2005 42 19 Philippe Claudel 20 Table ronde 25 Prix Prince des Asturies 27 Prix de la plume 30 The essence of Style 32 Paris en image 36 44 34 Eartha Kitt Interview 36 Le Marché de l’Art en France 42 Bernard Pivot Interview 44 Les Artistes Américains et le Louvre 48 The French American Chamber of Commerce 52 French Heritage Society 54 Spotlight on chapters 14 60 Chapter photos and captions 66 Remerciements 52 34 19 20 Le magazine is produced and published by France publishing - 16 rue brunel 75017 - Paris, France - Tel: +33 06 60 86 48 36 - Fax: +33 01 45 72 12 19 www.media-information.fr President Mickael Mimouni - [email protected] - Editor-in-Chief and communication co-ordinator France Bintou Traore - [email protected] Advertising manager Olivier Thomas [email protected] - Advertising representative New York Isabelle Blaze Paris Samuel Koskas Group Art Director Valerie Amato [email protected] - Accountants Sylviane Bourdereau & Joelle Valette - Graphic Design by Jérôme Bertho +33 04 67 63 07 06 - www.darsanha.com - [email protected] Editor-in-Chief - Mary Emory - Artistic Director - Bintou Traoré & her team - Editorial Advisors - Jane Robert & Rebecca Valette - Contributors - Bénédicte Barlat Jane Bernbach - Ruth Bryant - Caesar Alexzander - Marie Galanti - Carole Granade - Melissa Kling - Jean Leblon - Lisa Levitt - Erin Lewenauer – Gabriel Lugo Casey Mackenzie - Alain Marquer - Ruth Mastron - Claude Schlesinger - Martine Yesler - Linda Witt FEDERATION, le Magazine is published and distributed at minimal cost to the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA, thanks to the generosity of France Publishing, Paris Special Thanks Marie-Cécile Carlot pour Equipage FEDERATION Le magazine 3 Board of Directors Board of Directors Federation of Alliances Françaises USA HONORARY BOARD His Excellency, Jean-David Levitte, Ambassadeur de France aux Etats-Unis The Honorable Craig R. Stapleton, American Ambassador to France Mr. John H. Bryan M. Pierre Cardin Mme Hedwige Cointreau de Bouteville M. André Cointreau Mr. Frank Gehry Mr. Robert Goelet Mrs. Eleanor Morse Comte Gilbert de Pusy La Fayette Ms. Diana Ross Mrs. Eleanor Wood Prince Mrs. Odette Valabregue Wurzburger PRESIDENT Jane M. Robert VICE-PRESIDENT/CORPORATE SEC’Y BCarole Crosby VICE-PRESIDENTS Mary B. Emory Rebecca M. Valette TREASURER Bernard E. Duhaime BOARD Olivia Arditi Jane Bernbach Misa Bourdoiseau J. Wesley Green Marie-Pierre Koban Julie Lindquist Keith Maillard Christopher Pinet Lillian Politella Diana M. Regan Claude Schlesinger Marie-Monique Steckel H. Randolph Williams National Office Melissa Kling, Office Manager 1800 East Capitol Drive Milwaukee, WI 53211 USA E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.afusa.org A 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization 4 FEDERATION Le magazine Le Mot de la Présidente Le Mot de la Présidente So why did your friendly Federation create Le Magazine anyway? o give glossy, full-color images to the world of the Alli- ances Françaises, that’s why! As one answer to that age- T old question: “Why should I become a member of my local AF?” we say: “So you might enjoy more fully the world presented in these pages.” Our editors and contributors encour- age AF members and leaders to circulate Le Magazine widely in their own city so that potential partners and participants can see “at-a-glance” the cultural richness available to AF members and partners. Le Magazine also serves to illustrate the Alliance Française mission in action. From a glimpse into an AF classroom to a behind-the-scenes entrée into great cultural institutions, Le Mag writers strive to give a special presentation of the AF franco- phone world. Looking for ideas to keep your AF energized? Le Mag presents a variety of AF “success stories” intended to inspire and moti- vate the movers and shakers of local chapters. Need some fresh, original PR for your hometown? Give your potential partners and sponsors a copy of this review and let them know that your Un petit tour du monde. Did you know that Le Magazine is chapter is a vital part of the cultural, literary and social world now receiving more requests from AF’s worldwide who wish illustrated in Le Mag. to submit articles? Learn about Alliance life in far away places with their unique and rich local styles. Adapt their successful Just looking for a little reading enjoyment? Don’t overlook our traditions to your program schedule. literary initiatives such as our coast-to-coast “One Book – One Federation” and get your whole chapter (your entire city?) read- Back in the USA. Readers have responded enthusiastically to ing the same book (in French or in English). Increase member- our updates on American AF’s as a resource of ideas. We would ship or student enrollments by creating a desire to follow our love to publish your “Chapter News” and give your AF a promi- national book club. nent place in our vitrine of Alliance life. It is a contributors’ mag- azine: don’t miss the chance to put your AF in the limelight! Now that you know how we see Le Mag, let us know how you see it. We encourage all Alliances Françaises to circulate Le Magazine around town and use its images and message to attract new mem- bers, partners and sponsors. You might be surprised: a color glossy just may be worth 1,000 words! Bonne chance and let us know how it goes! n Jane M. Robert, President [email protected] FEDERATION Le magazine 5 Guest Editorial Guest Editorial Dear Friends, The year 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of the We are delighted that the Ambassador of France to the Alliance Française de St. Louis. Our centennial cul- United States, His Excellency Jean-David Levitte and minates with the convention of the Federation of Mrs. Levitte have accepted our invitation to come to Alliances Françaises USA being held in St. Louis Oc- St. Louis and participate in our convention activities. tober 26-28, 2006. We are thrilled to have Alliance His Excellency will address us during his traditional members from the United States, France, Canada and “Lunch with the Ambassador”. He will be awarded the Mexico join us in celebrating this historic and, for us, Federation’s Prix Charbonnier for 2006. momentous occasion. The French heritage of St. Louis makes our city an There will be something for everyone in St. Louis this ideal location for the convention of the Federation of fall. Whether you are a chapter president, executive Alliances Françaises USA. St. Louis was founded in director, program coordinator, or simply interested in meeting 1764 by Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau. The French con- fellow AF members from around the country, please join us for nections are evident throughout St. Louis, from its name to the the annual convention in St. Louis this October. In addition to architecture of City Hall inspired by the Hotel de Ville in Paris. the annual meeting on Saturday morning, the convention will Plan now to attend the convention in St. Louis this fall and cap- include workshops, roundtable discussions, and plenary sessions ture some of the spirit of our city. We look forward to seeing covering a wide array of topics developed by Rebecca Valette of you. Alliance Française de Boston and Mary Emory of the Alliance Française de Milwaukee. Sessions will take place in meeting n Ruth A. Bryant, President rooms at the Sheraton Clayton Plaza, the convention hotel where Alliance Française de St. Louis we have reserved rooms at reasonable prices for those attending the convention. October 26, 27 and 28, 2006 Leisure time will feature a tour of a Dale Chihuly exhibition Fédération of Alliances Françaises USA – Annual Meeting in St. Louis designed exclusively for the world-renowned Missouri Botani- Ecal Garden. There also will be an opportunity to see an exhibit Alliance Française de St. Louis - 8505 Delmar Blvd., Suite G St. Louis, MO 63124 - Phone: 314-432-0734 - www.alliancestl.com organized by the Saint Louis Art Museum and Musée du Quai Branly in Paris featuring examples of the finest, most rare, and For reservations, contact: Hotel Sheraton Clayton Plaza best documented works from New Ireland in the South Pacific. 7730 Bonhomme Avenue - St. Louis, MO 63105 Tel: 314-863-0400 / 888-337-1395 Peter H. Raven, one of the world’s leading botanists and the Bo- tanical Garden’s director, and Brent Benjamin, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum and an active member of the French Regional and American Museums Exchange (FRAME), extend warm greetings to Alliance members and invite you to sample the rich cultural life of our city. Thursday evening you will be greeted at a reception by James F. Mauzé, Honorary Consul of France in St. Louis. A Gala Dinner will take place on Friday evening at The University Club where the 21st floor offers a spectacular view of the city. Saturday night you will have a taste of the jazz for which St. Louis is so justly famous. A “must” on any trip to St. Louis is an hour’s drive to Ste. Gene- vieve, a small Mississippi River town founded in the early 1750s and noted for its unique French colonial architecture. A tour of Ste. Genevieve is scheduled on Sunday and arranged so that Al- liance members will return to St. Louis in time for late afternoon flights. 6 FEDERATION Le magazine FEDERATION OF ALLIANCES FRANÇAISES LE MAGAZINE Subscribe Today! $15 per year, $10 per issue Depuis le mois de janvier 2006, il vous est possible de recevoir «Federation, Le Magazine» chez vous.