Celebrations
Celebrate one of history’s great enduring partnerships.
Green Attitude Gala
March 21, 2019
Green Attitude Gala at the Embassy of France to benefit The Anne Fontaine Foundation. The French-American Cultural Foundation joined with Ambassador Araud, the Embassy of France, Enterprise, Goût de France/Good France, Maison Française, Saks Fifth Avenue and The Washington Ballet among others, to create a magical evening. The event paid tribute to a vibrant, creative, and innovative cuisine, while promoting appreciation for the planet.
French-American Cultural Foundation Hosts Farewell Reception for Ambassador Gérard Araud April 1, The Jefferson, Washington, DC
April 1, 2019
Constance J. Milstein, Chairman of the French-American Cultural Foundation, and Congressional French Caucus Co-Chairs Senator John Boozman, Senator Christopher Coons, Congressman William Keating, Congressman Robert Latta, Congressman Adam Schiff and Congressman Joe Wilson fêted Gérard Araud for his five years of service as French Ambassador to the United States. His support for the F-ACF was extraordinary, cementing the bonds between the official French presence in Washington and the Foundation. Represented at the reception were the leadership of Washington’s finest institutions, among them: Halcyon House, Hillwood Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, Hudson Institute, James Beard Foundation, Mount Vernon, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of African American History and Culture, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Women in the Arts, National Portrait Gallery, Phillips Collection, The Washington Ballet, and The White House Historical Association.
After a career in the diplomatic service, Ambassador Araud will relocate to New York City, welcoming a new chapter to his accomplishments.
Merci cher ami
Brothers at Arms: The Role of France in the American Revolution
April 20th, 2017
“Brothers at Arms: When the United States Spoke French – The Role of France in the American Revolution and its Aftermath”
On April 20th, The National Archives, in partnership with the French American Cultural Foundation and the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati, present noted historians and authors Larrie Ferreiro and François Furstenberg to discuss French involvement in the Revolutionary War and early America, sharing how the Revolution’s success depended on the assistance provided by France and Spain in the nation’s formative years. Book signings of “Brothers at Arms and When the United States Spoke French” will follow the program.
On March 28th, friends of the French-American Cultural Foundation enjoyed an “Evening of Art and Cabaret” at The Phillips Collection, celebrating the art of Toulouse-Lautrec. Following a private tour of the amazing works of this iconic artist, guests gathered for a champagne cocktail and a gourmet dinner in the Mansion’s Music Room.
A French quintet provided the music, punctuated by the songs of Piaf and Trenet, as two wonderful can-can dancers delighted guests with an energetic and colorful show to end the evening.
2016 Lafayette Prize Awarded to Marguerite and H.F. "Gerry" Lenfest
December 22nd, 2016
The 2016 Lafayette Prize was awarded to Marguerite and H.F. “Gerry” Lenfest at a gala dinner hosted by French Ambassador Gérard Araud at the Résidence de France on November 30th. The Lafayette Prize, the Foundation’s highest honor, is given to individuals who through their work and vision have strengthened the ties between the US and France. The Lenfests, through their unique style of philanthropy, have strongly supported numerous programs and exchanges between France and the United States over the years. In recognition of their broad vision and extraordinary generosity in areas including history, culture, and education, as well as for their deep-rooted love of France, the Foundation is delighted to present them with the Lafayette Prize. We were honored that both Dr. James Billington, the former Librarian of Congress, and Mr. David McCullough, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author, the previous winners of the Lafayette Prize in 2007 and 2011 were able to attend the dinner and award ceremony.
Keeping culture alive means keeping art alive. In the context of France and United States, that means finding ways to ensure that traditional art forms and skills are passed down to new generations in both countries. The Watkins Gilding Award was created in collaboration with Gold Leaf Studios to help maintain the ancient art of gilding through an artisan scholarship exchange program where a young American gilder and a young French gilder could spend time in the other’s country to learn the generations-old secrets that permitted this fine art to symbolize and reflect the height of France’s artistic mastery.
The Washington Chorus
April 26th, 2016
Celebrating the music of France for their 2016 spring season, the French-American Cultural Foundation was honored to partner with The Washington Chorus” for its “Parisian Spring Gala.” A week of special musical events culminated with the award-winning chorus presenting a concert at The Kennedy Center, featuring one of France’s greatest organists, Thierry Escaich. The French-American Cultural Foundation was delighted to have joined in the festivities, and to have had the chance to use the gala evening to pay tribute to Mr. Leonard Silverstein, the distinguished Washington attorney and cultural benefactor, for his seventeen years of unparalleled leadership of the Foundation.
The French-American Cultural Foundation was pleased to help organize a dinner-discussion with the generous support of the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, on December 7, 2015, as a part of the ongoing US-France Leadership Dialogue. Bringing together top experts from both the US and France,the subject of “Health and Innovation: Collaborating on Coverage, Communication and Cures,” provided an interesting evening of discussion led by Ambassador Stuart Holliday, President and CEO of the Meridian International Center, moderated by Ambassador Louise Oliver, and keynoted by Ambassador Jimmy Kolker, Assistant Secretary for Global Affairs at the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The “American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés” recently launched its ‘Adopt a Saint Germain Star’ fundraiser, supporting the renovation of Paris’ oldest church, “l’église de Saint Germain des Prés” in the heart of Paris’ sixth arrondissement. An emblematic landmark in the neighborhood named after it, the influence and resonant beauty of the Church of Saint Germain des Prés have touched the lives of philosophers, artists, students, patrons and passers-by alike through the years. There has been an abbey or church on this site since 543 A.D. The current structure is more than a thousand years old. Not surprisingly, the church is suffering the ravages of time. The nave, the transepts and capitals, the incomparable celestial ceiling are crumbling; the paintings of Flandrin (Ingres’ favorite student) are stained and fading. But a relief effort is now taking form on both sides of the Atlantic. The “American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés”, a 501(c)(3) charity recognized by the IRS, is seeking new friends to join in its mission to preserve this quintessential Parisian landmark. Our Adopt a Saint Germain Star campaign will allow you to join so many others in adopting and naming one or more of the thousands of stars which shine down from the church’s ancient vaulted ceiling. A star can be adopted to honor a parent or child, an old friend, a fallen comrade, or for no particular person or cause other than that of helping to save an irreplaceable piece of world heritage. By visiting the website below, you will find a multitude of details and information about the church and the renovation project now underway. It also displays an interactive star-map of the church ceiling as well as full details on how to adopt a star via a tax-deductible donation. Please help our friends in this effort and be a part of the next thousand years of Saint Germain history.
