Alliance Française de Jackson https://afjackson.org/wordpress PROMOTING THE FRENCH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:45:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 Conversation Groups https://afjackson.org/wordpress/2023/10/05/conversation-groups/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:45:51 +0000 https://afjackson.org/wordpress/?p=2513 Read More...]]> The Alliance Française de Jackson offers three weekly conversation groups, meeting the needs of all levels of French speakers.

These groups are all free. Membership in AFJ is required to participate, but we invite guests to visit once or twice before making the decision to join.

La Conversation de Lundi – Advanced Conversation
Mondays
2:00-3:30 p.m. | Banner Hall/Broadstreet Bakery
For AFJ members only, this group (B2-advanced/fluent levels) meets each Monday in the foyer of Banner Hall near the entrance to Broadstreet Bakery. The casual conversation covers a variety of topics.

Le Cercle des Amis – Advanced Round Table Conversation
Thursdays
3:00-4:00 p.m. | Zoom
For AFJ members only, this group is currently meeting online by Zoom. The conversation group is free-flowing on a range of topics, including current events, participants’ interests, travel, and French culture.

La Conversation de Samedi – Round Table Conversation for All Levels
Le Club de Lecture

Saturdays
3:00-4:30 p.m. | Zoom
For members only, this group meets weekly online by Zoom. This conversation group is for members of any level of French. Participants may come and listen or engage in conversation at the level at which they are comfortable. Each meeting is facilitated by fluent French speakers.

The time is split between conversation from 3:00-3:45, then book discussion from 3:45-4:30 when the Club de Lecture is reading a book.

To be added to the email list for Zoom links, please contact afdejackson@afjackson.org.

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Le Club de Lecture – Fall 2020 https://afjackson.org/wordpress/2020/08/02/le-club-de-lecture-fall-2020/ Sun, 02 Aug 2020 21:04:16 +0000 http://afjackson.org/wordpress/?p=2187 Read More...]]> It’s time to make plans to participate in the next selection for the AFJ Club de lecture, La Délicatesse by David Foenkinos. If you would like to join in reading La Délicatesse with the group (or on your own), use the form below to sign up and order a copy of the book. The cost of the book will be approximately $12+$3 (approximately) for local mailing (pick up in downtown Jackson is also an option).

The group meets on Saturday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. via Zoom, and discussion is primarily in French, but English may be used some when needed. A reading guide is available.

La Délicatesse by David Foenkinos

AFUSA 2018-2019 One Book One Federation selection

Reminiscent of novels by Nick Hornby, Muriel Barbery, and Jonathan Tropper, internationally acclaimed novelist David Foenkinos delivers a heartfelt and deftly comedic tale of new love brightening the dark aftermath of loss—and of wounded hearts finding refuge in the strangest of places.

After her husband’s unexpected death, Natalie has erected a fortress around her emotions—and Markus, clumsy and unassuming, will never be her knight in shining armor. Yet slowly but surely, an offbeat romance begins between these two mismatched, complex souls, and contrary to everything Natalie knows of affection, her perfect suitor may turn out to be love’s most unlikely candidate—the fool, not the hero, who is finally able to reach her heart.

About the author: David Foenkinos (born October 28, 1974) is a French author and screenwriter. He studied literature and music in Paris. La Délicatesse is a bestseller in France.

To participate in this session, please email afdejackson@afjackson.org by Tuesday, August 4.

]]> Introducing le Club de Lecture https://afjackson.org/wordpress/2020/02/22/book-club/ Sat, 22 Feb 2020 12:02:11 +0000 http://afjackson.org/wordpress/?p=2109 Read More...]]> This spring AFJ is introducing a new opportunity for members: le Club de lecture. Together, we will select the book to read from recent selections in the AFUSA’s (the national organization for Alliance Française chapters in the United States) One Book One Federation program.

Please use the form at the bottom of the page to vote for your selection. It’s not necessary to include your name and email when you vote, but if you don’t do it on the form, please email us at afjackson@afjackson.org to let us know that you are interested in participating.

We plan two discussion sessions for this book: one as a midway point check-in and one when we have completed the book. Dates will be set to work best for those in the group.

A few notes about the books:
• The books are all between 200 and 300 pages long.
• The AFUSA books are chosen with both fluent speakers and students in mind. We encourage you to read the French version of the chosen book.
• Reading guides are available for each of these books.
• Discussion will be primarily in French, but English may be used some when needed.

La Vraie Vie by Adeline Dieudonné

AFUSA 2019-2020 One Book One Federation selection

With a humorous and dazzling writing style, Belgian author Adeline Dieudonné has created a magnificent heroine surrounded by wild characters in an acid and sensual universe. This is a gut-wrenching coming-of-age story and an absolutely striking first novel.

It is a house that resembles all the others on the block. Or almost. At home there are four rooms: her own, that of her little brother, Gilles, that of the parents, and that of the corpses. The father is a big game hunter. The mother is transparent, a fearful amoeba, submissive to her husband’s moods. Saturdays are spent playing in the car carcasses at the dump. Until the day when a violent accident changes everything.

From then on, Gilles does not laugh anymore. Our ten-year-old heroine would like to cancel everything, go back. Erase this life that appears to her as the draft of the other. The real one.

This book won the Prix du roman FNAC and the Prix Renaudot des Lycéens 2018. It is currently being developed into a movie.

Adeline Dieudonné (born 12 October 1982) is a Belgian author and performer. La Vraie Vie is her first novel.

La Délicatesse by David Foenkinos

AFUSA 2018-2019 One Book One Federation selection

Reminiscent of novels by Nick Hornby, Muriel Barbery, and Jonathan Tropper, internationally acclaimed novelist David Foenkinos delivers a heartfelt and deftly comedic tale of new love brightening the dark aftermath of loss—and of wounded hearts finding refuge in the strangest of places.

After her husband’s unexpected death, Natalie has erected a fortress around her emotions—and Markus, clumsy and unassuming, will never be her knight in shining armor. Yet slowly but surely, an offbeat romance begins between these two mismatched, complex souls, and contrary to everything Natalie knows of affection, her perfect suitor may turn out to be love’s most unlikely candidate—the fool, not the hero, who is finally able to reach her heart.

About the author: David Foenkinos (born October 28, 1974) is a French author and screenwriter. He studied literature and music in Paris. La Délicatesse is a bestseller in France.

La tête en friche by Marie-Sabine Roger

AFUSA 2017-2018 One Book One Federation selection

Hulking Germain Chazes, 45 years old, is the neighborhood idiot. He lives in a battered trailer parked at the rear of the garden of his mother’s house. He spends his time between visits to the corner bistro and the local public park. There he meets Margueritte, a well-educated elderly lady who helps him to discover the world of books and of words, which he mistrusts and which frightens him immensely. His relationship with those around him and with himself will be turned on its head as a result of these new discoveries.

This is a simple, unpretentious story that will totally charm you and will leave you happy with its feel-good ending. All along the way you will share the joys and tribulations of these two characters. The book was selected for its unassuming style and plotline, and will, as such, reach a wide audience of Alliance Française members. The French is accessible and suitable for B1 and B2 language students.

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Happy Valentine’s Day https://afjackson.org/wordpress/2020/02/14/valentine/ Fri, 14 Feb 2020 22:17:31 +0000 http://afjackson.org/wordpress/?p=2125 Read More...]]> Happy Valentine’s Day! Here’s a fun article to learn more about this holiday in France: Joyeuse Saint Valentin ! Valentine’s day in France.

Tomorrow we will be hosting one of our favorite events, la Chandeleur. Over the years, la Chandeleur has taken different forms, sometimes gathering in the evening reception-style, sometimes at special dinners in restaurants, but always enjoying the food and company. This year we have planned a relaxed time when you can easily visit with friends and enjoy the food in a way that works with your schedule. Come at 3:00 and stay for the full time or drop by between other Saturday activities and errands.

The AFJ board met earlier this week and planned programming for this year. The first that you will be learning more about is a new book club for AFJ members. If you love French literature or want to add some to your reading list, be watching for an email next week that will share information and let those interested be a part of making the selection for our first book.

I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Annerin Long
AFJ Board President

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Bonne Année 2020 https://afjackson.org/wordpress/2020/01/04/bonne-annee-2020/ Sat, 04 Jan 2020 16:06:06 +0000 http://afjackson.org/wordpress/?p=2072 Read More...]]> Welcome to 2020 with Alliance Française de Jackson and best wishes to all! In 2020, AFJ will be celebrating its 25th anniversary, and plans are underway for special events marking this occasion, along with other favorite annual events – such as la Fête des Rois on January 18.

The AFJ board is a volunteer board, and without staff, board members also often carry out duties and responsibilities that staff would do. Merci mille fois to this team who helps organize events, administers educational programming, maintains accounting, shares their talents and creativity, and does so much more, all for our shared interest and love of all things French! And special thanks to Gilbert Vial, whose term ended in December. We are all grateful to the contributions he made as a board member and continues to make to our group.

As you make plans for 2020, I hope that AFJ will be a part of those thoughts, whether by attending our events, taking a class, participating in conversation groups, or contributing ideas. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Annerin Long
AFJ Board President

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