Hope…this has been the world’s currency for the past 19 months. Qui aurait cru?
As daily life increasingly begins to resemble “normal,” I reflect on pandemic life’s challenges and how we responded with new initiatives. And I thank you, our French Library volunteers, members, and students for staying with us through it all.
In the past almost two years, we have found a myriad of ways to stay connected to each other and the Center during our closure. You have trusted us to be your source for engaging language classes with some of the best teachers around and high-quality events where you deepen your appreciation for the French and francophone cultures, while enjoying the company of your fellow members. This has been very rewarding for me as I have always aspired for the Center to keep on building its community.
Did I ever envision this growth to happen in this fashion? Of course not! It has been unexpected and fascinating: our dual, online and in-person Bastille Day celebrations that brought us back to what we don’t take for granted anymore and cherish: enjoying music, food, wine - and speeches - in a lovely location together; my monthly Ciné-club that enables more audience members to be heard and seen on the screen while we discuss; the new Ciné-stroll events when we share our passion for cinema in a fun and interactive way while walking together and enjoying a progressive brunch so abundant that I heard for the first time in my life a satisfied “no more croissants, thank you!”
It has been a pleasure seeing you both on-screen and in-person but how lovely it will be to welcome you to the building again… soon! The French Library’s building renovation is entering the home stretch: it appears – fingers crossed! – that the reopening of our beloved brownstone might well coincide with a return to business as usual in the spring. This, too, gives me hope.
But we’re not there yet, and there is one more challenge that I need your help with. Our revenues are down, and we are relying, more than ever, on the philanthropic support of those close to us. During the pandemic, due to health concerns, we have not been able to hold our signature fundraising event, Le Tour de France Viticole. We rely on the proceeds from this event to support our essential educational and outreach efforts. Please consider making a donation to the Center and support us through this difficult time.
Together, we have prevailed and nurtured our community, at a time when belonging to a community has been most needed. Because of you, and with you, the FCC remains an essential and vibrant part of Boston’s educational and cultural life.
I thank you in advance for your generosity as we prepare to end 2021, and as we look ahead to a year of new beginnings!
À bientôt,
Barbara Bouquegneau
President & Executive Director
P.S. You can donate online at https://frenchlibrary.org/donations/.
Checks must be sent to our temporary mailing address: P.O. Box 610 Winchester, MA 01890
As daily life increasingly begins to resemble “normal,” I reflect on pandemic life’s challenges and how we responded with new initiatives. And I thank you, our French Library volunteers, members, and students for staying with us through it all.
In the past almost two years, we have found a myriad of ways to stay connected to each other and the Center during our closure. You have trusted us to be your source for engaging language classes with some of the best teachers around and high-quality events where you deepen your appreciation for the French and francophone cultures, while enjoying the company of your fellow members. This has been very rewarding for me as I have always aspired for the Center to keep on building its community.Did I ever envision this growth to happen in this fashion? Of course not! It has been unexpected and fascinating: our dual, online and in-person Bastille Day celebrations that brought us back to what we don’t take for granted anymore and cherish: enjoying music, food, wine - and speeches - in a lovely location together; my monthly Ciné-club that enables more audience members to be heard and seen on the screen while we discuss; the new Ciné-stroll events when we share our passion for cinema in a fun and interactive way while walking together and enjoying a progressive brunch so abundant that I heard for the first time in my life a satisfied “no more croissants, thank you!”
It has been a pleasure seeing you both on-screen and in-person but how lovely it will be to welcome you to the building again… soon! The French Library’s building renovation is entering the home stretch: it appears – fingers crossed! – that the reopening of our beloved brownstone might well coincide with a return to business as usual in the spring. This, too, gives me hope.
But we’re not there yet, and there is one more challenge that I need your help with. Our revenues are down, and we are relying, more than ever, on the philanthropic support of those close to us. During the pandemic, due to health concerns, we have not been able to hold our signature fundraising event, Le Tour de France Viticole. We rely on the proceeds from this event to support our essential educational and outreach efforts. Please consider making a donation to the Center and support us through this difficult time.
Together, we have prevailed and nurtured our community, at a time when belonging to a community has been most needed. Because of you, and with you, the FCC remains an essential and vibrant part of Boston’s educational and cultural life.
I thank you in advance for your generosity as we prepare to end 2021, and as we look ahead to a year of new beginnings!
À bientôt,
Barbara Bouquegneau
President & Executive Director
P.S. You can donate online at https://frenchlibrary.org/donations/.
Checks must be sent to our temporary mailing address: P.O. Box 610 Winchester, MA 01890
Barbara Bouquegneau
President and Executive Director
Barbara has worked at the French Library for more than 20 years. Barbara has represented the Center and Alliance Française of Boston throughout the years and has most recently been appointed vice-president of the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA. She is committed to pursuing the extraordinary mission of the French Library and believes that the Francophone world is worth exploring in all its different cultures.
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