On the weekend of March 14-16, Minneapolis became the focus of language professionals in the Midwest. Central States Language Conference was last in the city in March of 2020, when it had to be abruptly shut down due to the pandemic. Now it was in full swing, with hundreds of high-quality professional development sessions, vendors catering to the needs of language experts, and organizations that promote and support their mission.
Une Promenade à Paris
As the hometown chapter, AATF Minnesota hosted an apéro dînatoire Friday night at the Alliance Française of Minneapolis / Saint Paul for French teachers and interested Francophiles. The evening, entitled, “Une Promenade à Paris,” served an array of delicious
foods that one could find while strolling the streets of the city of lights. Chef Helena Elwell offered a selection of classic hors d’œuvres. Three tables full of delightful temptations included ham or cheese mini-baguette sandwiches, French style beef hotdogs covered in melted cheese in a baguette bun, poulet rôti carved in place, fresh steamed green beans and roasted potatoes bits, jumbo shrimp on the half shell with aioli sauce, a vinaigrette-dressed green salad, crêpes filled with butter and sugar or chocolate, fresh fruit, and caramel sea salt chocolate nuggets. Wine and flavored waters were also served. No one went away hungry. Kaitlin Scott, a French teacher in Saint Paul, loved the variety of menu choices and felt that Chef Helena “went above and beyond the description of the event”.
Student Helpers
Saint Paul Central High School, home of the district’s French dual language immersion articulation program, sent approximately fifteen students to the event to help set up, prep and serve the food, greet the guests, take pictures, and clean up. Their help was pivotal in the success of the evening. AATF Minnesota thanks them and their teachers, Kevin Amdahl, Nick Gasho, and Stéphan Michaud for their support.
A French kind of atmosphere
The atmosphere was lively, with French music playing in the background provided by the Parisota Hot Club trio, a French jazz ensemble from Minneapolis. Their music was delightful and particularly French. Guests seems to enjoy it as they mingled and chatted in both French and English.
Special Guests
Several distinguished guests were present that night including Eileen Walvoord, President of the National AATF, Tom Sapp, Regional AATF representative, Nicolas Douay, Attaché of Education and University Partnerships at the Consulat Général de France in Chicago, Greg Cash, President of the Franco-American heritage foundation of Minnesota, and Jennifer Schwester, President of AATF New Jersey.
You made this possible
There was a short program emceed by Maureen Elwell Peltier, President of AATF Minnesota. She thanked the generous sponsors who made the event possible as well as introducing several guests who spoke of their ties to French in Minnesota. Sponsorship included the AATF national office, AATF Chicago and Northern Illinois, Downstate Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, Xperitas travel, Language and Friendship, Inc., travel, The French American Heritage Foundation of Minnesota, the Alliance Française of Minneapolis/Saint Paul, and Tom Steiger of ECI Exchange Culturels Internationaux.
The event was a celebration of the French language and culture. It was also a reminder of the importance of promoting bilingualism and cultural understanding in today's global society. We hope that the attendees left feeling inspired and excited to continue their promotion of the French language, history, and culture.
Pictures by Taney Kennedy-Schuck, Carolyn Fisk, Jane Law, and Maureen Elwell Peltier
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