Past Events
Would you like to join us for the Literature in Time session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1: Contact Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 20th of October.
Step 2: Read the four texts we have selected. You can find them by clicking here :
Texte 2. Poème à mon frère blanc
Step 3 : Once you have received your zoom link by mail, you will be able to join the session on the 20th of October, at 5:15pm.
Would you like to join us for the Literature in Time session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1: Contact Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 20th of October.
Step 2: Read the four texts we have selected. You can find them by clicking here :
Texte 2. Poème à mon frère blanc
Step 3 : Once you have received your zoom link by mail, you will be able to join the session on the 20th of October, at 5:15pm.
“Literature in Time” is based on the recent experience with the transition of the Book Club to an Online format. It focuses on the analysis of smaller texts from various authors selected by the cultural team. The selection is adaptabe according to the group’s desires and aspirations. The sessions are mainly based on the discussion and analysis of the extracts with the group and the cultural team.
Would you like to join us for the Literature in Time session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1: Contact Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 6th of October.
Step 2: Read the three texts we have selected. You can find them by clicking here :
Texte 1. Il n’y a pas d’amour heureux
Step 3 : Once you have received your zoom link by mail, you will be able to join the session on the 6th of October, at 5pm.
Would you like to join us for the Literature in Time session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1: Contact Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 6th of October.
Step 2: Read the three texts we have selected. You can find them by clicking here :
Texte 1. Il n’y a pas d’amour heureux
Step 3 : Once you have received your zoom link by mail, you will be able to join the session on the 6th of October, at 5pm.
“Literature in Time” is based on the recent experience with the transition of the Book Club to an Online format. It focuses on the analysis of smaller texts from various authors selected by the cultural team. The selection is adaptabe according to the group’s desires and aspirations. The sessions are mainly based on the discussion and analysis of the extracts with the group and the cultural team.
The first session of this year will be focusing on Yasmina Reza’s play: Le Dieu du Carnage. Written in 2008. It is about two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. They agree to meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.
To join us, or to get any more information, please write an email to Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com
The first session of this year will be focusing on Yasmina Reza’s play: Le Dieu du Carnage. Written in 2008. It is about two sets of parents, one of whose child has hurt the other at a public park. They agree to meet to discuss the matter in a civilized manner. However, as the evening goes on, the parents become increasingly childish, resulting in the evening devolving into chaos.
To join us, or to get any more information, please write an email to Gaël at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com
The Book Club is a return to the previous and most appreciated format. Big books and a long time between sessions so that you can read them fully and peacefully. The Sessions are mainly focused on discussion and thoughts about the books with the group and the cultural team.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 30th June.
Step 2:
Read the three texts of Victor Hugo, available here
Text 1: https://www.poesie-francaise.fr/victor-hugo/poeme-demain-des-l-aube.php
Text 2 : https://www.poesie-francaise.fr/victor-hugo/poeme-l-art-et-le-peuple.php
Text 3 : https://www.poesie-francaise.fr/victor-hugo/poeme-invocation-du-mage-contre-les-deux-rois.php
Step 3:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join the session on the 30th June, at 4pm.
Nicolas Klein is a Spanish teacher for a classe préparatoire (intensive foundation degree) in Nancy (Northeast France). Nicolas is specialised in the history of contemporary Spain and is a former student at the École normale supérieure (ÉNS) in Lyon. Translator and author of various books about Spanish History and current affairs, he often publishes articles in several French and Spanish university reviews and newspapers.
Nicolas Klein is a Spanish teacher for a classe préparatoire (intensive foundation degree) in Nancy (Northeast France). Nicolas is specialised in the history of contemporary Spain and is a former student at the École normale supérieure (ÉNS) in Lyon. Translator and author of various books about Spanish History and current affairs, he often publishes articles in several French and Spanish university reviews and newspapers.
This talk will focus on the bilateral diplomatic relations between France and Spain during and after De Gaulle’s presidency. His diplomacy as the president of the French Republic (1959-1969) is well-known amongst experts and the general public. This knowledge is inclusive of the relations between France and its neighbors (Germany, UK), its former colonies in Africa and Asia, the major powers of that time (US, USSR, China) or some defined cultural areas (Latin America).
However, it seems the Franco-Spanish relations are not so well known. De Gaulle’s France and Franco’s Spain did maintain diplomatic relations, particularly in the economic and cultural fields. In 1970, after he resigned, Charles de Gaulle even visited Spain and met Francisco Franco in Madrid. But what was the nature of these diplomatic relations?
To get your link, contact the Cultural Team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com
Camille Claudel and August Rodin formed one of the most artistically successful couples in French Art. Sixteen creative, passionate, violent years in which the two produced hundreds of sculpted works that have come to constitute an essential part of modern French sculpture (The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, The Burghese of Calais) and that are today renown throughout the world. However, behind the most brilliant artistic creation of its time hides a tragic destiny…
Camille Claudel and August Rodin formed one of the most artistically successful couples in French Art. Sixteen creative, passionate, violent years in which the two produced hundreds of sculpted works that have come to constitute an essential part of modern French sculpture (The Thinker, The Gates of Hell, The Burghese of Calais) and that are today renown throughout the world. However, behind the most brilliant artistic creation of its time hides a tragic destiny…
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the lecture.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 16th June.
Step 2:
Read the four texts of Rimbaud and Verlaine, available here
Text 1: https://poesie.webnet.fr/lesgrandsclassiques/poemes/paul_verlaine/mon_reve_familier
Text 2 : https://www.poetica.fr/poeme-533/arthur-rimbaud-sensation/
Text 3 : https://poesie.webnet.fr/lesgrandsclassiques/poemes/arthur_rimbaud/le_dormeur_du_val
Text 4 : https://poesie.webnet.fr/lesgrandsclassiques/Poemes/paul_verlaine/clair_de_lune
Step 3:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join the session on the 2nd June, at 4pm.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 2Nd June.
Step 2:
Read the three texts of Boris Vian, available here
Text 1: https://www.le-parolier.net/paroles-vian-la-complainte-du-progres.html
Text 2 : https://poesiecontemporaine-ou-pas.over-blog.com/2019/02/l-evade-de-boris-vian.html
Text 3 : https://www.paroles.net/boris-vian/paroles-le-defile
Step 3:
Get ready for the session by thinking about the following questions: What are your impressions? What do you think of the end of the texts? What, in your opinion, did the author want to say about society?
Step 4:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join the session on the 2tnd June, at 4am.
We will explain a little about the history of English wine; then talk about how the climate makes English winemaking more viable nowadays and explain about some of the grape varieties used. Why is sparkling wine is so successful? There are several reasons.
We will also discuss pricing and what the future might hold for English wines. All this will be compared with what happens in France and we will explain why some French companies are watching English wine production VERY closely!
We will explain a little about the history of English wine; then talk about how the climate makes English winemaking more viable nowadays and explain about some of the grape varieties used. Why is sparkling wine is so successful? There are several reasons.
We will also discuss pricing and what the future might hold for English wines. All this will be compared with what happens in France and we will explain why some French companies are watching English wine production VERY closely!
Be part of our entertaining Online Quiz night.
The questions will test your general knowledge, you must think on your feet! Its suitable for all abilities and a great opportunity to get together and meet new people. We be using quizizz.com.
The winning prize is not only unlimited bragging rights, but also 8 weeks of French lessons for the summer term.
Sign up with l’Alliance Française Cambridge at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com
Be part of our entertaining Online Quiz night.
The questions will test your general knowledge, you must think on your feet! Its suitable for all abilities and a great opportunity to get together and meet new people. We be using quizizz.com.
The winning prize is not only unlimited bragging rights, but also 8 weeks of French lessons for the summer term.
Sign up with l’Alliance Française Cambridge at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com
Born and raised in Normandie, Garance is a singer-songwriter, artist and French teacher (Alliance française Cambridge UK and Canberra Australia).
Would you like to join us for this event? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Born and raised in Normandie, Garance is a singer-songwriter, artist and French teacher (Alliance française Cambridge UK and Canberra Australia).
Would you like to join us for this event? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a link for the session
Step 2:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join us!
Christopher Johnson studied French & German at Cambridge University in the mid-1970s and, after a brief spell as a language teacher, worked for over 30 years in banking and investment, including 22 years with a French bank.
On his retirement he moved to South-West France, where he acted as a voluntary mentor to small businesses and served for 6 years as a Municipal Councillor in a small town 50 kilometres south of Toulouse. It was here that he encountered the Occitan language, the subject of tonight’s talk.
Christopher Johnson studied French & German at Cambridge University in the mid-1970s and, after a brief spell as a language teacher, worked for over 30 years in banking and investment, including 22 years with a French bank.
On his retirement he moved to South-West France, where he acted as a voluntary mentor to small businesses and served for 6 years as a Municipal Councillor in a small town 50 kilometres south of Toulouse. It was here that he encountered the Occitan language, the subject of tonight’s talk.
Now back in Cambridge, he volunteers with the University’s Newcomers & Visiting
Scholars organisation and tries to keep in touch with French language and culture,
partly by doing talks like this, which is his third for the Alliance Française.
Would you like to join us for this event? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a link for the session
Step 2:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join us!
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Would you like to join us for the next book club session? All you have to do is to follow the steps as explained below.
Step 1:
Contact the cultural team at info.alliance.cam@gmail.com, so that we can send you a zoom link for the session of the 5th of May.
Step 2:
Read the three texts of Jean de La Fontaine, available here
Text 1: https://www.la-fontaine-ch-thierry.net/amourfol.htm
Text 2 : https://www.la-fontaine-ch-thierry.net/courlion.htm
Text 3 : https://www.la-fontaine-ch-thierry.net/louagneau.htm
Step 3:
Get ready for the session by thinking about the following questions: What are your impressions? What do you think of the end of the texts? What, in your opinion, did the author want to say about society?
Step 4:
Once you have received your link by e-mail, you will then be able to join the session on the 5th of May, at 4pm.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Faïza Guène will lead a conference at l’Alliance Française Cambridge on the 7th of March 2020.
Faïza was born in France in 1985 to Algerian parents and wrote her first novel, Just Like Tomorrow, when she was 17 years old. It was a huge success in France (titled in French, Kiffe-Kiffe Demain) selling translation all around the world.
Just Like Tomorrow was shortlisted for the Young Minds Book Award 2006 and longlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2007.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Faïza Guène will lead a conference at l’Alliance Française Cambridge on the 7th of March 2020.
Faïza was born in France in 1985 to Algerian parents and wrote her first novel, Just Like Tomorrow, when she was 17 years old. It was a huge success in France (titled in French, Kiffe-Kiffe Demain) selling translation all around the world.
Just Like Tomorrow was shortlisted for the Young Minds Book Award 2006 and longlisted for the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize 2007.
In its original version, it is also a set text at French A-Level.
The author has since published four more novels, three of which have been translated into English by Sarah Ardizzone.
This conference is open to everyone and especially recommended for French A-Level students and teachers who will have the unique privilege to meet, in person, the author of the book they have been studying for months.
A talk – illustrated with photos and images of original artwork – about aspects of the history, the landscape and the people of this rugged Auvergne départment and how the speakers became increasingly enchanted with it after setting up a second home in a small hamlet near Yssingeaux. Compared with other parts of France, this corner of La France Profonde tends to be less well known, even to many French people.
A talk – illustrated with photos and images of original artwork – about aspects of the history, the landscape and the people of this rugged Auvergne départment and how the speakers became increasingly enchanted with it after setting up a second home in a small hamlet near Yssingeaux. Compared with other parts of France, this corner of La France Profonde tends to be less well known, even to many French people.
Mention will be made of the 13th century convent initially abandoned to wolves but which later became a major abbey (despite the Mother Superior who became a gangster’s moll!), of the remarkable women known as Béates who lived alone in remote rural communities instructing the young and looking after the old from the 17th to the 20th century, of the strange beast that so terrorized the population in the 18th century that Louis XV had to send his best hunters to track it down, and of the courage of local people who hid refugees from the Nazis during World War II and became France’s most formidable resistance group.
Martin has written about these and other stories, including the experiences of his family in getting to know the local culture, in a book of narrative verse: Song of France – Ode to the Haute-Loire. Published last year, this is illustrated by his wife who is a professional artist (see www.songoffrance.com). Copies of the book will be available at the talk.
Come enjoy French cinema at the Alliance Française Cambridge!
Plot:
French drama set in the 1950s following a young woman who is kept firmly in check by her father. However, another opportunity presents itself. She makes the acquaintance of a manager called Louis Echard. Impressed by her natural abilities at the keyboard, Louis appoints himself her trainer for a speed typing competition.
Come enjoy French cinema at the Alliance Française Cambridge!
Plot:
French drama set in the 1950s following a young woman who is kept firmly in check by her father. However, another opportunity presents itself. She makes the acquaintance of a manager called Louis Echard. Impressed by her natural abilities at the keyboard, Louis appoints himself her trainer for a speed typing competition.
Reviews
July 2020
I enjoyed the talk on Friday given by Nicolas. All praise to him for delivering it in such good English.
July 2020
Je voulais juste dire que moi aussi j’ai aimé ces petits amuse-bouche de la littérature française donnés au cours du book club en ligne pendant le confinement. C’était d’autant plus agréable que je pouvais y accéder de ma ville à 40 km de Cambridge! Merci Gaël pour vos explications sur les auteurs et les textes.
July 2020
Merci d’avoir mis en place le Book Club en ligne. Je trouve que nos séances ont été réussies même chez Zoom, tout le monde a eu l’occasion de participer, même plus peut-être que dans notre situation normale. Le choix de courts morceaux – contes, poèmes – a donné la possibilité de beaucoup de variété dans la même heure, la discussion n’a pas tari, et merci à Gaël de nous avoir fourni tant de mises en scène.
July 2020
I have been happy with all the teachers we have had and all the subject matter – bottom line for me is that it is French and there is always something to learnI am also very much enjoying the Club de Lecture never having been able before Covid to attend.Gael is very ‘sympa ‘ and knowledgable.
July 2020
Je suis super-contente avec les clubs de lecture. Félicitations à toute l’équipe – mais surtout à Gaël …. !