“France In Times Square, Too”

After the three hour graduation ceremony at Radio City Music Hall where 2600 graduates from the Fashion Institute of Technology received their diplomas, we wandered down to Times Square. France was there, too.

The Maison de la France, the French Government Tourist Office, and TV5, the worldwide French-language network, took over the Reuters Screen at the corner of 43rd and 7th until June 6th as a special message of gratitude to be broadcast on the D-Day Anniversary.

Different spots celebrating French culture airs for 40 minutes throughout each day on the Reuters Screen ending June 5th. On June 6th (the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day landings) a special message will be broadcast throughout the day in remembrance and appreciation of the bravery of the American armed forces, with live coverage from TV5 direct from Normandy in a program called “The Longest Night.”

To honor the veterans of the D-Day landings and invite Americans to Normandy in this special year, the French Government Tourist Office/Maison de la France and the Normandy Tourist Board have also produced a short film, titled “Operation Open Arms.” It chronicles the events that took place on June 6, 1944 and the Battle of Normandy through the words and memories of the men who fought in World War II, American tourists who have visited Normandy and the people of Normandy themselves.

Later in June (June 18 – 20), we at International Living will be talking intensely about How to Work and Live in France with the experts and professionals who can make this happen for you, should you be considering taking the plunge (we often suggest a “three month dip” to test the Paris waters). See /parlerparis/liveinfrance/wlif/wlif_presenters.html for who’s on the schedule you won’t want to miss.

Thirza Vallois will be speaking about Paris Past, Present and Future over dinner at Chez Jenny Friday, June 18th. Open to the public, join our IL staff and conference participants to h

ear Paris’ finest lecturer on the history of the city! Visit/parlerparis/liveinfrance/wlif/wlif_dinner-tour.html for information and reservations.

And if your French needs a shot in the arm, you may also want to take advantage of Elisabeth Crochard’s Survival French course June 21st and 22nd! See /parlerparis/liveinfrance/wlif/wlif_french.html for more information and to register.

My French needs a shot in the arm, too…since I’ve been in New York, I’ve missed speaking French (never thought I’d say that!), have missed the beautiful romantic Paris streets and the little corner cafés with their inviting tables. Thursday morning when I land at Charles de Gaulle (thank goodness, not at the new terminal that collapsed earlier this week!), I know that when the taxi rounds the corner onto the Périphérique and I see La Grande Dame (the Eiffel Tower), I’ll get choked up like I always do and La Grande Pomme (The Big Apple) will seem like eons ago.

A la prochaine…

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris