Symposiums
Some of the world’s leading thinkers and writers offer up an opportunity to explore the French-American relationship.
The French-American Cultural Foundation, the French Embassy, and The National Museum of American History have joined forces to produce an insightful seminar with leading experts and a groundbreaking new exhibition on the American Revolution. The seminar entitled ‘France and the American Revolution: At War and at Peace’ is being held at the Embassy of France – La Maison Française on April 11th. The exhibition runs until June 2019 at the National Museum of American History.

WW1 Symposium
November 15, 2017
The French-American Cultural Foundation and The National WW1 Museum and Memorial hosted a symposium and lunch at the French Embassy’s La Maison Française as a part of the 1917-2017 WW1 Centenary observances marking the U.S. entry into the Great War. The theme of the program was “The U.S. Entry Into WW1: Was There A Choice?” Following welcomes from Ambassador Louise V. Oliver, Mme. Nathalie Broadhurst, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of France, and co-host, Matthew Naylor, President and CEO of The National WW1 Museum and Memorial, a series of war-time poems were read by film-maker and author, Ron Maxwell, entitled “Reflections from the Trenches.” The morning’s keynote speech was delivered by Jay Winter, Professor of History Emeritus at Yale University, who spoke on “Making Unavoidable Decisions in the Context of War,” which was followed by a Panel Discussion with Michael Nieberg and Michael Kazin, moderated by Jennifer Keene. The luncheon began with some music by the “Metronomes” from the Metropolitan Club, led by Knight Kiplinger, who sang a number songs popular during the WW1-era , along with a stirring rendition of the “Marseilles.” The luncheon conversation, “Stumbling Into WW1: Will History Repeat Itself?” was the topic of the symposium’s special guest speaker, HRH Prince Nikolaus von Liechtenstein, whose insights and family connections gave a new perspective on the tensions that drew Europe and the world into war. Finally, the symposium ended with a poignant reading of the John McCrae poem, “In Flanders Fields,” by Ambassador James Cain. The well-attended event provided an opportunity to delve into the “forgotten war” honoring the courage and bravery of the millions who died, and to educate a new generation about it in order to avoid such bloodshed in the future.

Versailles and the American Revolution Symposium
June 15th, 2016
The French-American Cultural Foundation organized a day-long symposium on June 15th“Versailles and the American Revolution.” This crucial alliance was the focus of a first-ever exhibit on the subject at the Château de Versailles from July 5th – October 2nd, 2016. Highlighting the importance of France’s strategic financial and military aid to the American colonies, without which the United States would not have gained its independence, symposium participants discussed the subject from a wide range of perspectives. Speakers at the day-long symposium included leading historians from America’s top universities, authors, and experts, including Versailles’ chief curator, Bertrand Rondot. Please click here to see photos from the symposium, and here to see to see photos from the reception.
