Alliance Française du Maine

Festival Champlain
2024-10-25 - 2024-10-27 | Portland Museum of Art, 7 Congress Square, Portland
Discover today’s cinema in the French-speaking world in Portland, ME. Start the festival with Les Petites Victoires, where a small-town teacher juggles saving her village while teaching an older man how to read. All screenings are free for Alliance Française du Maine members. Make sure to register to reserve your spot!

An Evening with olivier latry
2024-10-26 18:30 (America/New_York) | ME
Experience the captivating performance of internationally acclaimed Olivier Latry, Titular Organist of the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris and esteemed professor at the Paris Conservatory. Renowned for his unparalleled talent and brilliant technique, Latry’s performance is sure to leave audiences in awe. Latry will also partake in an on-stage interview with James Kennerley, discussing the momentous reopening of Notre Dame in December of 2024 and the ongoing restoration of the organ. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a musical prodigy in action and engage in an evening of remarkable music and conversation.
Sign up Here

Kende! Kende! Kende!: African Community Celebration & Book Fair
2024-11-09 11:00 - 14:00 | ME
Next Saturday, 11/9/24, I’m Your Neighbor Books is holding a multilingual event for families. The event celebrates the release of the French/English bilingual book KENDE! KENDE! KENDE!
KENDE! KENDE! KENDE!
Community Celebration and Book Fair
11 AM – 2 PM
East End School
https://imyourneighborbooks.org/kende-kende-kende-celebration/
This book is a tribute to the Central Africans who move through many languages to build community and navigate migration. The book is bilingual French/English with action words in Lingala.
Event not sponsored by Alliance Francaise du Maine

The Story of Perfume
2024-11-13 16:00 - 17:00 | ME
What parts of the world do fragrances come from? Who invented them and what are their main ingredients? How did perfume cross from the sacred to the profane? Who were the first great perfumers? What role has the fashion industry played in the history of perfume? How do you become a successful ‘nose’? What stories lie behind iconic perfumes such as Chanel’s N°5, C K One, or Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Mâle?
Join us for a conversation between Élisabeth de Feydeau, author of the new book, The Story of Perfume, and Rebeca de la Piedra, renowned Mexican fragrance expert.
Lavishly illustrated with archival documents from the most beautiful fragrance brands, The Story of Perfume transports its readers into a precious and mesmerizing world. It is the perfect gift for special occasions and a must-have for all perfume lovers.
Register here

Quebecois Fall Film Series : L'arbre de la mémoire
2024-11-13 18:30 | ME
The Franco-American Collection, University of Southern Maine Libraries & Learning at Lewiston-Auburn Campus presents:
Quebecois Fall Film Series :
L’arbre de la mémoire
Documentary Showing and discussion
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine invites you to join us at 51 Westminster St. in Lewiston on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at 6:30 pm for a viewing of the documentary L’arbre de la mémoire, with discussion to follow. There is no fee for our programs, which are made possible by the Québec Delegation in Boston and by TV5MONDE. Due to difficulty in obtaining this film with subtitles, it will be offered in French only, with no subtitles.
L’arbre de la mémoire is a journey through Franco-Americana to the heart of New England, from Madawaska, ME to Woonsocket, RI. It is a quest for identity in the present through genealogy, and a plunge into the past through memoires and confidences. Following the film, discussion will be led by Denis Ledoux, local author, memoirist and teacher, who was featured in the film!
For those of you unable to join us in-person, there is no streaming link available, but you may be able to use Interlibrary Loan at your local library to borrow the DVD from one of the institutions on this list:
https://search.worldcat.org/title/52341217.
If you are able to watch the DVD before 11/13, and would like to join us for a discussion on Zoom, email anna.faherty@maine.edu for more information.
For more information or to register for this event, contact the FAC archivist, Anna Faherty at anna.faherty@maine.edu or by phone (207) 753-6545. If you have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format, etc.), please contact Anna. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.

French Conversation Table
2024-11-16 10:00, 2024-12-07 10:00, 2024-12-21 10:00, 2025-01-04 10:00, 2025-01-18 10:00, 2025-02-01 10:00, 2025-02-15 10:00, 2025-03-01 10:00 | Burundi Star Coffee, 261 St John Street, Portland, 04102, United States
Come join our French conversation table in Portland every first and third Saturday of the month at 10am!
At Burundi Star Coffee
261 St John Street
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
VIVE LA FRANCOPHONIE!

The Lost Fleet of New France: French-American Histories
2024-11-18 18:00 - 19:00 | ME
This episode will focus on the The Lost Fleet of New France and the story behind the shipwreck of La Trinité with cultural heritage lawyer James Goold.
“French-American Histories, One Story, Two Narratives” is a program of virtual talks launched by Villa Albertine in collaboration with the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA. Each episode reveals a different facet of the vibrant French-American tapestry, through interviews with leading scholars, experts, and practitioners conducted by Dr. Iris de Rode, an expert in the history of French-American relations. The interviews are broadcast live and recorded at the French Embassy or other locations in the United States.
Register here

Le peintre Pierre Paul Rubens (1577 – 1640) Conference virtuelle
2024-11-21 14:00 - 15:00 | ME
Découvrez ou redécouvrez la vie et l’œuvre d’un des plus grands artistes de l’art européen : peintre, dessinateur, designer, collectionneur, il avait un des ateliers les plus actifs et prospères du 17 e siècle. Mais Rubens ne fut pas simplement un artiste de talent, il fut aussi un diplomate hors norme qui a œuvré pour la paix entre les Pays-Bas espagnols et la République des Provinces unies.
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Celebration of the wines of Beaujolais (featuring the 2024 Beaujolais Nouveau)
2024-12-07 18:30 - 20:30 | 16 Middle St Suite 101, Portland, ME 04101
Price includes tastings of various Beaujolais wines and hors d’oeuvres.

L'Afrique francophone: Republique democratique du Congo
2024-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 | ME
Sponsored by AF of the Lake Champlain Region
Learn more here.
Register here.

Bon Jeu
2024-12-15 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-12 15:00 - 17:00, 2025-03-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Novel, 643 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Practice your French while playing games !

Pause-Midi: Les Filles du Roi, January 15
2025-01-15 12:00 - 13:00 | ME
Sponsored by AF of the Lake Champlain Region
Register here

"Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love": Meet the Author
2025-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 | ME
Join us for our next Meet the Author event!
When: January 22nd at 7PM
Who’s the author? Scott Carpenter
What’s the book? “Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love”

Join us for a conversation with the the celebrated American author Scott Carpenter as we discuss his latest book “Paris Lost and Found: A Memoir of Love”.

“After his hilarious introduction to Paris in French Like Moi, Scott Carpenter returns to the scene of the crime with more tales of intrigue.
This time, though, the story takes a surprising turn as his wife struggles with dementia. Humor may be the best medicine, but even the antics of a vandal in their building can’t cement the tiles of her memory for long. Before he expects it, Carpenter finds himself alone in a capital that is also blighted by the pandemic.
It’s against this backdrop that the city comes roaring back to life. From bizarre encounters on the Metro to comical clashes with authority figures, and even a quixotic battle against a flock of migrant parrots, Paris Lost and Found unveils sides of the great city that are as quirky as they are authentic. With his unique blend of wit, insight, and wistfulness, Carpenter charts a path through his new labyrinth of solitude—only to emerge on the other side, squinting into the bright light of hope and new beginnings.”

We hope you can join us for what promises to be a warm, funny and insightful conversation about a city that is dear to so many hearts. Copies of the book can be ordered here. (It could also make a great holiday gift for your favorite francophile.)

This event is FREE to attend, but we ask that you please register here.

Portland Rendezvous
2025-01-30 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-02-13 17:30 - 19:00, 2025-02-27 17:30 - 19:00 | AC Hotel, 158 Fore St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
“Portland Rendezvous,” is a casual gathering of francophiles and francophones, who meet twice a month on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7 pm during “Happy Hour” at the AC Hotel in Portland’s East End. The only “rule” is that one must speak only French. To join, sign up through Meetup. You will be asked to briefly tell why you’d like to join, then you’ll become a member! The group is organized by co-leaders -Jennifer Wolcott and Gladys Baudelot.
“Portland Rendezvous”: https://www.meetup.com/portland-rendezvous/

La Chandeleur
2025-02-02 09:00 - 12:00 | MHNO – Hill House, 92 Congress St, Portland, United States

Tintamarre Film Showing
2025-02-05 18:30 | ME
This feature documentary pays homage to the special character of an enduring people: the Acadians. Two hundred years after Expulsion of the Acadians by the British (1755–1764), Acadian culture is still very much alive. But why do Acadians—whose ancestors founded the first colony in North America—have to keep making a racket to tell the world they’re still here?
Learn more here.
For more info, contact anna.faherty@maine.edu
Event not sponsored by AFduME.

Conférence OH ! Les Arts de la table
2025-02-20 14:00 - 15:00 | ME
The Alliances Françaises of Portugal, Spain, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands and the Accueil de la Haye are delighted to be joining forces once again to bring you another in a series of lectures on the essentials of French culture. Let yourself be guided by Giulia FRANCESCHINI during an online conference on The Art of the Table.
This event is free but you need to register here.
Event not sponsored by Alliance Francaise du Maine.

Bon Jeu (rescheduled from February 9)
2025-02-23 15:00 - 17:00 | Novel, 643 Congress St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

"Le Temps d'un Été" screening
2025-03-11 10:00 | Olin Arts Center, Bates College, 75 Russell St, Lewiston, ME, 04240, United States
Join us for the first of two FREE screenings of “Le Temps d’un Été” by Louise Archambault and Marie Vien. This moving Québécois film follows Marc Côté, a street chaplain and parish priest who, after years of exhaustion, decides to take a group of homeless people on a much-needed retreat to the Bas-du-Fleuve region. In French with English subtitles. We screened this film during last year’s Champlain Film Festival, and it was so well received that we’ve decided to show it again. Discussion to follow screening. Brought to you thanks to the generous support of the Délégation du Québec à Boston.
