Promoting French language and culture
The Alliance Française
Founded in 1883 in Paris, the Alliance Française and its worldwide network have exposed thousands to French culture, civilization and language. In 2000, the Alliance was represented in 138 countries by 1135 chapters constituted under local laws.
The Federation of Alliances Françaises USA was founded in 1902 under American law and has its headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This non-profit cultural and educational organization was designed to represent all of the US Alliance Française chapters at a national level. The Fédération is dedicated to maintaining the high standards established by the Alliance Française in Paris. It helps member chapters establish schools, and it sponsors contests and grant scholarships to stimulate interest in both learning and teaching French. Within the network, each Alliance chapter contributes its own experiences and, at the same time, draws upon the expertise and innovations of others. Experienced and successful, the American Alliances represent an important source of French activity and information on the continent.
The Alliance Française believes that French awareness is nurtured through exchanges of culture, development of friendships, and an understanding of the language. For these reasons, Alliance chapters function simultaneously as cultural centers and social forums; many also provide a school for French language instruction.
The cultural programs of the Alliance Française consist of events relative to the French or French-speaking world and serve as a vehicle for cultural dialogue. A wide range of entertaining activities, including interaction with noted French-speaking personalities, film presentations, lecture series, and holiday celebrations, provide members with exposure to French culture in a pleasant environment that fosters international understanding.
As a social forum, the Alliance Française provides a rich environment for forming friendships. Our social events attract people from all parts of the French and American communities. Drawn together by their common interests, participants develop lasting friendships that naturally translate into a greater exchange of language and culture.
