Francophonie flag raising slated at Statehouse

PROVIDENCE – The public is invited to join the League of Francophone Organizations of Rhode Island on Thursday, March 23, at the Rhode Island Statehouse as the Museum of Work & Culture gathers with state and Francophone leaders to raise the Francophonie Flag and celebrate French language and culture in Rhode Island.

The event will begin at 3 p.m. in the State Room for a short concert by the students of the French-American School of R.I. and the singing of the French, Canadian, and American national anthems by the choir of Alliance Française of Providence.

This will be followed by a speaking program emceed by Roger Begin, Honorary Consul of France in Rhode Island. Speakers will include Lieutenant Governor Daniel McKee, Senate President Teresa Paiva-Weed, members of the Rhode Island Legislature, Delegate of Québec in New England Marie-Claude Francoeur, Consul General of Canada David Alward, Consul of France & Chair of the 2017 Francophonie Committee Valéry Freland, President of Alliance Français de Providence Dominique Gregoire, and the Regional Representative of the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) Margarita Dempsey.

The program will conclude with a creative presentation on the reach of the French language by Dempsey’s students from Smithfield High School. A wine and cheese reception will immediately follow.

The events are presented by members of the League of Francophone Organizations of Rhode Island: Museum of Work & Culture, Alliance Française de Providence, Flickers: The Rhode Island International Film Festival, American Association of Teachers of French of Rhode Island, the French American School, American French Genealogical Society, and Club Aram Pothier