02 août 2020

Programme d'activités 2020-21

Chères amies, Chers amis,

I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well in these uncertain times. Many of us are enjoying the chance to finally be reunited with friends, as life returns to some sort of normality. The Cercle français de Belfast is delighted to be reopening its doors – albeit virtually – to bring you a new programme year with no fewer than fifteen talks and interactive events.

We’ll resume our physical meetings as soon as we’re sure it’s completely safe to do so. Until then, our talks and events will be held online, meaning you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home. All you need is the Internet, along with a computer, smartphone or tablet. This programme contains further information on how to participate in our meetings. If you’re still unsure about how to get connected, we’ll be only too happy to help.

I’m sure you’ll agree that this year’s programme has something for anyone who has an interest in French language and culture. Join us to hear and talk about French history, literature, culture, music, food, current affairs and much, much more. Keep an eye out for extra events we’ll be adding throughout the year, as well as details of our Extraordinary General Meeting.

On 9 September 2020, you’re warmly invited to Large soif, our online soirée d’accueil. This first event of the year is always free and open to all. Pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple, chat with friends old and new, and find out more about the Cercle français de Belfast. I can’t wait to see you there!

Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly update and to follow us on social media. In the meantime, and on behalf of all the Cercle français de Belfast Committee members, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Amitiés,

Allison

Présidente, Cercle français de Belfast

22 juillet 2020

Quelles nouvelles ? juillet 2020

Dear all,
I do hope all's still well.
If anyone might be interested in what the Champs-Elysées was looking like yesterday...


This is the open-air terrace of the brasserie L'Alsace. I'm with a Canadian friend, Jill.
(Most of the year she lives in London but has a little flat in Paris too. She managed to escape!)

The semi-tropical plant enclosure is for people who didn't get away on a foreign holiday to
take photos of themselves inside (as if they're in an exotic location)!

You'll note the automatic hand sanitizer dispenser outside the 'tropical enclosure'...



Something extra...


The note, pinned to our building's front door, invites us to rent out our apartment to a film production company. There always seem to be films being made in and around Paris.

I applied to be an 'extra' once in a production by Les Frères Dardenne; the directors
changed the filming dates, and it fell through.

Very best,
John


John was one of the founder members of the original Alliance Française de Belfast, now the Cercle français. Although living and working in Paris he keeps in close touch with the cercle and we are delighted to hear his news and updates on life in France. 








03 juillet 2020

La Fête Nationale 2020

Chers Amis,

How will you celebrate le quatorze juillet this year?

One way could be to join us in an online celebration.

The idea is simple. With the nasty Covid-19 virus being around many of us have been unable to visit France this year. We would like you to share three things with us …

1 What you are missing most about France.

2 What you are most looking forward to doing when next you can travel there.

3 What piece of music most reminds you of France.

The plan is that your thoughts and choice of music will be combined into a short programme to be broadcast on the Cercle Français de Belfast's YouTube channel on14th July. A sort of 'Desert Island Discs' if you like as we gently recover from isolation.

Please send your 'requests' by Friday 10th July either ...

… by email to cfbelfast@gmail.com in which case your words (in English or French) will be read for you before playing your choice of music.

Or

You might like to make a short audio/video recording and send it using WeTransfer (https://wetransfer.com/to cfbelfast@gmail.com. Your recording and choice of music will be included in the programme.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Prenez soin de vous et de vos proches,

À bientôt,

Philip