Short Story and Poem Competition (Franco-Irish Literary Festival)

Before I wish you a Merry Christmas I would like to give you all rules of the short story and poem competition. I really hope you will find time, between two chocolates or Christmas pudding, to think about your story.

Rules:
-You must write a short story or short poem on the theme of “The City”.
-You can write in English or in French.
-Your story or poem must not be in excess of 1000 words, but with at the least 500 words.
-Send your completed story or poem by email to Business@alliance-francaise.ie or post in on the blog of the Alliance Francaise of Dublin.

-The closing date for entries is 31st March 2010.
-All stories will be displayed during the Franco-Irish Literary Festival.

Good luck

Merry Christmas and Best Wishes

Short Story or Poem Competition (Franco-Irish Literary Festival 2010)

As you may know, the Alliance Francaise of Dublin is organising the eleventh Franco-Irish Literary Festival which takes place on the 16th, 17th and 18th of April 2010 in Dublin.
The Franco-Irish Literary Festival is a meeting place for everyone interested in Irish and French Literature.
To mark this eleventh consecutive year of the Festival on the theme of "The City", this year we have decided to come up with a new idea:The Short Story or Poem Competition.

Everyone able to write in english or french is invited to take part in this challenge.

Get your thinking caps on! Details to follow.
Hope you will take part.

See you in January with all rules of the competition.

Happy Christmas and Best Wishes

CONCERT: UN NOEL FRANCAIS (a Christmas Carol)

The programme, which ranges from the Middle Ages to the great French composers of the 20th century (Ravel, Debussy, Poulenc) evokes the sadness of winter transcended by the love and warmth of Christmas.
Laura Zimmermann (soprano) studied at the Conservatoire of Strasbourg and at the Schola Cantorum of Basel. She teaches singing and produces shows and has recently come to live in Dublin. Jean-Baptiste Milon (piano) studied at Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. He is currently in the first year of a Masters at the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Thursday 17 December - 8.00pm

AF Members €8 (Non Members €12) Including a complimentary glass of wine and a slice of the traditional Bûche de Noël (the Christmas Cake).

Book online!

CINECLUB: PLEIN SOLEIL

Based on the novel by crime scribe Patricia Highsmith, René Clément's striking study from 1960 of a glamorous and complex psychopath features a career defining turn from a young, beautiful and ultra-cool Alain Delon. An engrossing meditation on Tranference and deceit. The movie was later remade as the disappointing Talented Mr. Ripley.

Thursday 10 December

French version with English subtitles, 112 min.
Admission Free. Seats are limited to 15 and restricted to Members.
Information and booking:library@alliance-francaise.ie

STUDENTS TABLE QUIZ

Once again the Alliance Française is glad to invite its students to a Table Quiz organised and hosted by its teachers and staff! All the quiz rounds are about different aspects of French culture: cinema, food, music, literature, sports, etc.

We have numerous prizes for each member of the winning teams, including books, films, t-shirts and vouchers for a French course!

Registration is €10 per person. This price includes a complimentary glass of wine and a slice of the traditional Bûche de Noël (the Christmas Cake).

Wednesday 9 December 7.30pm

CHRISTMAS MARKET

Are you looking for exclusive Christmas gifts this year? Why not come and shop at our Christmas Market with a French touch on Saturday 5 December?

After the great success of our first Christmas Market last year we are having another this year
with an even wider choice of products from our French partners including food, wine, delicatessen, jewellery and home decoration.

You might also like to sit back with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee and escape the hustle and bustle for a relaxing break at Café des amis!

Saturday 5 December from 9.30am to 4.30pm
Admission free

JOHN HORNE "Guerres & réconciliations européennes au 20ème siècle"

Pr John Horne (Trinity College) will discuss an essential paradox in the contemporary European history: Its turning points occurred less during the wars than in the post-war periodswhen Europeans had to confront the violence which had so deeply divided them. Thus - taking a balanced view - one can offer an interpretation of the 20th century that is less dark and more optimistic.

Conference in French followed by a question and answer session (in French and English) and a reception. Copies of the book Vingt-sept leçons d'histoire européenne published by Le Seuil, will be on sale at the event.

Thursday 3 December - 6.30pm

Admission free
RSVP: info@alliance-francaise.ie

BILINGUALISM & MULTILINGUALISM

Conference. Professor David Singleton from Trinity College Dublin will explore with us the great variety of circumstances which may lead to bilingualism / multilingualism in the modern world, noting the role of the language of parents, of the larger
community and of the school. Then he will address a series of questions discussed by researchers in this field: Is the acquisition slower than that of unilingual acquisition? Does it occur in a more or less equal way? Do the different aspects of the languages acquired by a bilingual have a distinct rhythm of development in each of the languages in question?

The lecture is in French and followed by a reception to continue the discussion.


Saturday 28 November 2.30pm
Admission Free - Teachers and parents especially welcome.


RSVP: info@alliance-francaise.ie

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EXHALE by MANDY O’NEILL

Norman Mailer has stated that boxing is a metaphor for life. Investment of time and energy in a tradition like boxing can be explained through the desire to achieve stability in a rapidly changing world. It may also engender a yearning for a more vital existence and a longing for authenticity. In this photographic work, Mandy O'Neill uses the world of the amateur boxer to explore such ideas and to examine aspects of the human condition.

These images were taken over a two-year period at St Saviours Boxing club, Dorset St in Dublin.

Mandy O'Neill is a Visual Artist based in Dublin. She graduated with a BA in Photography from the DIT College of Photography in 2005. She has recently exhibited at ‘RUA RED’ Dublin 2009 and the RHA Dublin 2009.

27 November - 6 February 2010
Opening Thursday 26 November at 6.30pm - Admission free

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FRENCH FILM CLUB @ IFI

New partnership! The new French Film Club at the IFI will kick off with the screening of Bellamy. It comes as something of surprise to realise that this low-key thriller marks the first occasion when Claude Chabrol and Gérard Depardieu worked together. In a role Chabrol created specifically for the actor, Depardieu stars as Paul Bellamy, a police inspector spending the summer with his wife (Marie Bunel) in Southern France.

Monday 23 November at 8.30pm
Presentation and Q&A by Dr Laurent Marie (UCD)

Registration for the French Film Club is open to all, and both IFI and Alliance Francaise members will benefit from a special discounted ticket price of €7 on Film Club nights.

For more information, please visit www.ifi.ie

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FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL 2009

This year’s IFI French Film Festival 2009 will start with the latest film from Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Delicatessen, Amelie), MICMACS, an absolutely wonderful comedy-satire surely destined to be one of the biggest French films of 2010, before closing on the 29th November with Around A Small Mountain, the latest film from legend of the French New Wave, Jacques Rivette - an appropriate way to end things in this the 50th anniversary of the movement.

We’ll be taking a retrospective look at the work of comedy genius Jacques Tati, with a 70mm screening of PlayTime; a programme of short films; a digitally restored version of Mr Hulot’s Holidays; and a fascinating new documentary looking at his life and career. Followed by a panel discussion looking at the legacy of Jacques Tati.

Fans of documentary should take a look at Michel Gondry’s delicate, touching film examining the life of his aunt, The Thorn In My Heart, and Serge Bromberg’s stunning Henri-George Clouzot’s Inferno, a brilliant examination of Clouzot’s legendary unfinished film featuring newly discovered footage.

Irish Premieres of work will included: Claude Chabrol, André Téchiné, Christophe Honoré, Jacques Audiard and Benoît Jacquot to name but a few.

Thursday 19 - Sunday 29 November 2009
Full programme available here

Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU!

Come and celebrate the long-awaited arrival of this year Beaujolais Nouveau with friends and colleagues and, in the company of an expert, discover other vintage wines from this lovely region of France (Brouilly, Juliénas, Moulin à Vent, Fleurie …) in the setting of a festive evening with music, a magician and local food products (cheese, paté, saucisson...) to accompany the wine tasting!
We are also honoured to welcome H.E. Roé d’Albert, Ambassador of France in Ireland, to this event.

Presented by The Alliance Française in partnership with the Ireland France Chamber of Commerce, with the support of La Rousse Foods, Perrier and Domaine Manoir du Carra.

Thursday 19 November - 7pm
AF & IFCC members €40 per person (€65 per couple) / Non-members €5

CINÉCLUB: L'HOMME QUI VOULAIT SAVOIR

While touring in France, Rex and Saskia stop for a break at a service station. Saskia vanishes leaving no clues. Three years later Rex begins to receive taunting postcards from Saskia’s supposed abductor... Swiss director George Sluizer’s L’Homme qui voulait savoir, based on the novel The Golden Egg by Tim Krabbe, is regarded as one of the best suspense thriller.

Thursday 12 November
French/Dutch version with English subtitles, 107 min.

Information and booking: library@alliance-francaise.ie
Admission Free. Seats are limited to 15 and restricted to Members.

DOMINIQUE LEMEUR

Book Launch. Dominique Le Meur was born in Auxerre (France) and currently lectures in French in Department of Languages and Cultural Studies, University of Limerick. His first two novels were set against the background of Northern Ireland's troubled history: Où vas-tu l'Irlande ? (1998, Prix des Ecrivains Bretons) et Baine (2001). In 2005, he published L'Eire des Amants, set in Limerick and dealing with the theme of the unsaid through a devastating and passionate love story. His new novel is entitled: Retour vers l'ailleurs. Also set in Limerick, it looks at the deep changes that have taken place in Irish society over the past few years through a gallery of various characters, Irish and foreign...

Thursday 29 October at 6.30pm

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BABYLON CIRCUS

Concert. Babylon Circus released their latest album Belle étoile earlier this year. They sing in both French and English and fuse a mixture of punk, reggae, rock, swing and jazz into their sound.

Tickets are on sale now at the Médiathèque: €10.00 for AF Members.

Thursday 29th October - 8.30pm
The Academy 2, 57 Middle Abbey Street,Dublin 1

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HALLOWEEN HOLIDAY CAMP

Our new holiday camp is called: L’île fantastique (The Fantastic Island)
What if… I ended up on a desert island like Robinson Crusoe...?Children need their imagination to invent a life for our lost character. Let’s discover the island - in French. A way to learn French, experience arts and discover francophone culture in a very play-oriented manner. Arts and crafts, songs, games and visit to museums will be included in the numerous activities offered. The classes will be lead by our qualified teachers, who have considerable experience with children.

Tuesday 27th-Friday 30th October 10.00am to 15.00pm
€200 including lunch à la française!

Contact primary@alliance-francaise.ie

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DENYS ARCAND's LES INVASIONS BARBARES

Screening. Tabernacle ! Ciné Club goes West this month and crosses the Atlantic for the French-speaking shores of Québec... Denys Arcand's Les Invasions barbares, recipient of over 40 international awards (including the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 2004), is a story about the humor, hope and unspoken bonds that hold family and friends together against the onslaughts of life in our contemporary times. Starring: Rémy Girard, Stéphane Rousseau, Dorothée Berryman, Louise Portal.

Thursday 22 at 7.30pm
French version with English subtitles, 99 min.

Information and booking: library@alliance-francaise.ie
Admission Free. Seats are limited to 15 and restricted to Members.

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ROBERT GUÉDIGUIAN's L'ARMÉE DU CRIME

Screening. The courage of Résistance fighters in occupied Paris during WW2 is brought to light in this gripping drama by celebrated director Robert Guédiguian, previously best known for blue-collar dramas set in his native Marseilles.
Jean-Pierre Darroussin plays a detective inspector aware of just what’s going on, thus playing on our expectations that the ever-jovial character actor will make a stand for human decency. What follows focuses our attention on how we might react in similar circumstances, transforming a tense, authentic historical saga into a living, breathing testament to the reality that questions of moral commitment never really go away.

Presentation and Q&A by Pr John Horne (Trinity College)

Tuesday 20 October at 6:30pm
Tickets for AF Members: €7.50 (on production of their membership card)

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CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS

WITH VINCENT DANIAU

Adults’ workshop
To look at writing differently
This workshop offers the opportunity to (re)discover calligraphy by means of a study of very elegant writing: gothic cursive. Also on the programme: the creation of a stencil/transfer. For ages 12 to adult. Maximum 10 students. For all levels – beginner to experienced calligraphers. Materials required: a quotation of about a dozen words; a ruler and a stanley knife (if possible).

Thursday 15 October from 6pm-8pm

Admission: AF members €30 (on production of their membership card) / non-members €35.

Children’s Workshop

To discover calligraphy in an entertaining way.
The aim is to help them (re)discover pleasure in writing. For 6-11 year olds. Max. 12 participants. All materials supplied.

Saturday 17 October 12.15pm-1.45pm

Admission: AF members €20 (on production of their membership card) / non-members €25.

Information & booking:
online / info@alliance-francaise.ie

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HELENE LE CHATELIER

Booklaunch. Listed for the Chambery festival of first fiction and the Literary prize for new authors in fiction, Hélène Le Chatelier makes her first literary debut with the novel Dernière adresse published by Arléa editions. Born in 1974 in Bourges she now lives and works in Dublin and, with a lively style, tells the story of this old unworthy Irish woman who casts a lucid eye over her life and the people around her.

Si la vieillesse est un naufrage, l’écriture modeste et profonde, elle, est une ascension lente vers un vrai plaisir : celui de lire un bon premier roman. C. Dupont-Monod's review in Marianne.

Tuesday 13 October 6.30pm
Interview conducted in French

A book signing will follow the interview

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HENRI POURRAT TRIBUTE

On the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the death of the writer Henri Pourrat (1887-1959) the Alliance Française has the pleasure of inviting you to a conference organised in association with the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France and the French Department Trinity College.
After a short presentation by the President of the Society of Friends of Henri Pourrat, a film of about thirty minutes will allow you to become better acquainted with the author known for his Gaspard des montagnes which won him the Grand Prix du Roman de l’Académie Française in 1931. He was also awarded the Prix Goncourt some year later with Vent de Mars.
Pr David Parris will then present correspondence between Henri Pourrat and T.B. Rudmose Brown, holder of the Chair of French at Trinity between 1909 and 1942.

Wednesday 7 October 6.30pm
Alliance Française in Dublin, 1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

CULTURE NIGHT 2009

The Alliance Française invites you to its third participation in the Dublin Culture Night Festival.

Begin by viewing our new exhibition of photographs by Frank Little and then allow yourself to be tempted by a French wine tasting provided by Loire Cellars.

Exceptionally, musicians Séan Whelan and Thomas O'Brien, invite you to listen as they display their talents playing musette tunes at 9.00pm and at 10.30pm.

Your children are of course very welcome and a mask-making workshop is taking place especially for them. They may also try the art of calligraphy, along with their parents, from 7.00 to 9.00pm.

You may also benefit from our super sale of French books (all night) or watch a demonstration of hairstyling by a French stylist (7.00-9.00pm).

Finally, don't leave without tasting the limited edition Perrier or testing your knowledge of French culture by taking part in our quiz and having a chance to win a free course.

Party atmosphere guaranteed!

Friday 25 from 7pm to midnight!
Admission is free

Alliance Française, 1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

CINÉ-CLUB: DEUX JOURS A TUER

Screening. A middle-aged man decides it's time to stop hiding his feelings, with explosive results, in this award-winning dark drama from French filmmaker Jean Becker (L'Été meurtrier, Les Enfants du marais). Featuring Albert Dupontel, Alessandra Martines, Mathias Mlekus and Cristiana Reali.

Thursday 24 at 6.30pm
French version with English subtitles, 85 min.

Information and booking: library@alliance-francaise.ie

Admission Free. Seats are limited to 15 and restricted to Members.

Exhibition FRANK LITTLE

Frank Little brings to his photography literary, artistic and philosophical influences. René Magritte spoke of his pictures as being solutions to certain problems of visual thinking. The images here try to posit the question of what perception actually is. We perceive and interact with the world through our senses and learned social behaviours. Modern Western thought was founded on Descartes’ dictum “I think therefore I am” but we are not just pure intellect. The physical world and how we interact with it are of intrinsic importance to what we are.

18 September-21 November

Opening: Thursday 17 at 6.30pm
Admission free

NEW WEBSITE!

CINÉ-CLUB:

FRANCOIS TRUFFAUT'S
LA MARIÉE ÉTAIT EN NOIR

Seven years after the success of Jules and Jim, François Truffaut teams up again with Jeanne Moreau in this adaptation of the thriller novel The Bride Wore Black by Cornell Wollrich.
Although not one of the best known and most representative Truffaut's films, La mariée était en noir gained recognition over the years and is regarded today as a classic. It was for instance a main influence on Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

Thursday 30 July at 6.30pm

French version with English subtitles Booking: library@alliance-francaise.ie

Admission Free. Seats are limited to 20 and restricted to AF Members.

YOUNG TALENTS
DIT SCHOOL OF MEDIA '09

Exhibition. With a view to creating a new premium photographic space in the city in order to showcase local talent and to forge new links in this area between France and Ireland, the Alliance Française in Dublin formed a committee of some of the leading personalities (teachers, curators, artists) of the capital's photographic world.
This was the idea behind our last exhibitions and we continue this month by displaying the works of five specially selected final year students of the DIT School of Media. JB. Maher, Margaret Byrne, Nathan Fields, Orla Sloyan and Una Spain will thus have the opportunity to display their works in the Alliance Française Photographic Gallery throughout the summer.

23rd July - 11th September
Opening Wednesday 22nd July at 6.30pm

Alliance Francaise, 1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

GALA DINNER
BASTILLE DAY 2009

Fundraiser. After the success of last year Bastille Day Gala Dinner, the
French Trade Advisors of Ireland (CCEF) in association with the AFI (Association des Amis de la France en Irlande), with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Dublin and the Ireland France Fund, and under the patronage of HE Mr Yvon Roe d’Albert, French Ambassador to Ireland, is launching a unique Bastille Day Gala Dinner.
This 6 course gastronomic experience dinner will be entertained by La Troupe de Mademoiselle Clairette and their famous French CanCan. Then it will be time for a bit of dance with the great The Camembert Quartet and their cheesy music.
All proceeds of the evening will be donated to the Ireland France Fund.

More information: 01 6673816 or bastille@nathema.com

10th July 2009, from 7.00pm
Royal Marine Hotel
Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire

CINÉCLUB:
PEUR[S] DU NOIR

Peur(s) du Noir is a wildly inventive and visually dazzling collection of fearful tales by six of the world's most renowned comic and graphic artists - Blutch (Grand Prix Festival Angouleme 2009), Charles Burns, Marie Caillou, Pierre Di Sciullo, Lorenzo Mattotti, and Richard McGuire.

From a besotted student whose girlfriend is weirdly ardent in her affections, to a Japanese schoolgirl menaced by a long-dead samurai, and a pack of hounds on a bloodthirsty rampage, Peur(s) du Noir has a story strand to trouble every sleep - not to mention a stunning range of animation styles.

Thursday 25 June at 7.30pm at the Alliance Française
French version with English subtitles
(Not suitable for children)

Booking: library@alliance-francaise.ie
Admission Free. Seats are limited to 20 and restricted to AF Members.

Let's French... Festival

4th FESTIVAL OF FRENCH MUSIC 18-21 JUNE 2009

Festival. Four days of non-stop music! The Alliance Française is proud to bring you, for the fourth time, the much-loved festival Let's French...! Not only do we give you the opportunity to discover new talents in areas as varied as electro, hip hop, French song and pop but we also give you the chance to take to the stage to show off your talents! To that add a musical film programme for both children and adults or enjoy a jazz brunch!

CONCERTS
DSL
18 June @ Andrew’s Lane - 11pm
Rough Diamond’s Jacques Brel
19 June @ RIAM - 7.30pm
Housse de Racket
20 June @ Twisted Pepper - 8pm
Marie Cherrier + Lauren Guillery
21 June @ The Village - 8pm

SCREENINGS
Daft Punk’s Interstella 555
18 June @ Denzille Cinema - 8.30pm
Gainsbourg's Melody Nelson
19 June
@ Denzille Cinema - 9.30pm
Le Soldat rose
20 June @ Denzille Cinema - 12noon
Peau d’âne
21 June @ Denzille Cinema - 3.30pm
On connaît la chanson
21 June @ Denzille Cinema - 5.30pm

SPECIAL EVENTS
Open Mic
20 june @ Alliance Française - 2pm

Musical Brunch
21 June @ La Mère Zou - 12noon

www.lets-french.ie

Conference: ULYSSES IN TRANSLATION

ULYSSES IN TRANSLATION by Dr SAM SLOTE

Conference. As part of the Bloomsday Festival the Joyce Centre, in partnership with the Alliance Française, is organising a talk by Dr Sam Slote of Trinity College. He will be speaking on 'Ulysses in Translation'. Joyce's novel, Ulysses, is one of the most widely translated English language novels in the world and Joyce's famously poetic and experimental language has provided translators with great challenges.
Sam Slote will focus his talk on the first French translation of the work, which was published in 1929 and so celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.

This talk will be mainly through English with questions and answers in French and English.

Monday 15 June at 6.30pm
Admission Free
RSVP: info@alliance-francaise.ie

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