“Be advised that any amphibious operation has a ‘departed date’; therefore the shortened term ‘D-Day’ is used.” General Dwight D. Eisenhower
- D-Day celebrations
- A Free and United Europe
- Under our Radar - Don’t miss it!
- Spotlight on a Member: Alliance Française
- Did You Know – The men and women behind D-Day’s success
- Expression Française : "Branle-bas de combat"
D-Day Celebrations
The Flame of Liberty
Le Souvenir Francais
May 24th, 2024 at 2 PM
Arlington Cemetery
As part of the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, the organizers of the « Flame of Liberty » will physically transport the Flame of the French Nation to the United States and place this French flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery to show France’s gratitude to its allies. This ceremony is open to the public; you can join!
On May 24 at 2 PM in front of The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the flame will be delivered by 12 young French students. A group of students from Rochambeau, the French international school will also be present.
Click here for more information about this event.
D-Day Celebration at the French Embassy
Save the date!: June 6th at
Maison Française
Details and registration will be open next week here.
Dr. Michael Vlahos is Lecturer at Johns Hopkins University and the Naval War College
Location: the Barbara M. Donnellan Auditorium
Arlington Central Library, 1015 N Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia
Admission is free, seating is limited.
A Free and United Europe
2024 EU Open House
May 11th 2024 from 10 AM to 4 PM
La Maison Française
Join France and Germany for a celebration of European friendship at the Embassy of France.
Two countries, one venue, zero jet lag! Join us at the Embassy of France for this year’s EU Open House, where we celebrate the strong bonds and shared values between France and Germany. Enjoy a unique blend of music, debate, culinary delights, and cultural activities in a family-friendly atmosphere.
Don’t miss the special highlights on the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Euro 2024 In Germany, showcasing the best of France and Germany’s rich heritage and future aspirations.
Click here to view the program.
Conférence sur les enjeux et le rôle du Parlement Européen
May 23rd 2024 at 6 PM
La Maison Française
Le Consulat Général de France and the Bureau de liaison du Parlement Européen auprès du Congrès Américain invite you to a conference before the June 8th European elections. (in French)
Click here to register.
Don’t Miss It
The Alliance Française Annual Gala
Our Solidarity Dinner at Bistro Cacao
The geometric design of the Chartres Cathedral
The Alliance Française Benefit Gala
May 14th from 5:30pm to 9:30
At Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens
The Gala is being held at the beautiful Hillwood Estate.
Explore the fabulous gardens; learn about the French collection in the mansion as well as about Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Paris; meet the Ambassador of France; and, why not, dance!
At the Gala, you will have a chance to meet some members, students, and supporters of the Alliance Française of Washington DC (AFDC); get acquainted with the Directors of the Board who will tell you why AFDC is an important element of the educational and cultural scene of the Nation’s Capital; find information about the organization’s programs and activities; explore the fabulous gardens; learn about the French collection in the mansion as well as about Marjorie Merriweather Post’s Paris; talk with the Ambassador of France; and, why not, dance to the French playlists prepared by DJ David Dupre.
As we say in French, this Gala is "une occasion à ne pas manquer!"
Click here to reserve tickets.
You will be asked to create an account: this information is needed for AFDC to send you a receipt for tax purposes.
Solidarity Dinner of the Comité Tricolore at Bistro Cacao
May 28th at 6:30 PM
Since its inception in 2009, Bistro Cacao, nestled on Capitol Hill, has been an esteemed establishment renowned for its contemporary French cuisine. Bistro Cacao is consistently voted as one of the most romantic restaurants in the area by locals, restaurant critics and influencers. Overseeing the culinary realm is Chef William Perez, an integral part of the Bistro Cacao team since its start.
Bistro Cacao is a woman-owned and led business guided by the adept management skills of owner, Hulya Bolukbasi. She infuses the business with a zeal for exceptional hospitality and astute business management. Her fervor extends beyond the bistro, aiming to support the wider community and local vendors through the use of organic and sustainable products.
Please check below the amazing 3-course menu designed especially for the Comité Tricolore’s friends!
Click here to reserve tickets.
Online Lecture: Designing Chartres, A Geometrical Perspective
May 14th 2024 at 7:30 PM
American Friends of Chartres
And if you miss it, it will be recorded and available on HERE.
The Millenium Celebrations of Chartres Cathedral continue with an Online Lecture Series.
In collaboration with the University of Iowa and Villa Albertine, delve into the mysteries of medieval architecture with Professor Robert Bork, an expert in Gothic architecture.
How did medieval builders in Chartres use geometry to design their remarkable cathedral? Taking advantage of laser-scanned survey data and modern design software, Robert Bork sheds new light on this fundamental question, demonstrating both remarkable continuity in the builders’ methods and previously unrecognized revisions to the cathedral’s design in the years around 1200.
Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/designing-chartres-cathedral-a-geometrical-perspective-tickets-894576009927
Alliance Française (AFDC)
You want to learn French,
breathe French,
dream French:
live French at the Alliance Française!
You will become part of a vibrant community of people who share your goals and interests with their Event Series:
- France Forever Series
- France Forward Series
- Francophonie Series
- Language without Borders
- Des Mots et des Hommes (Of Words and Men)
- Ciné-club Alliance Française of Washington/ Cahiers du Cinéma
- Americans in France
- A Taste of France
- Music
- Arts
- Children’s events
- Book Signings
And, of course, you can take...French classes:
• Full immersion classes for adults and children
• Certified, highly qualified instructors
• SMARTBOARD-equipped classrooms
• International scale: AFDC courses follow the CEF Global Scale (Common European Framework for the Learning of Foreign Languages)
The men and women behind D-Day’s success
Capt. James Stagg, weather man
D-Day was originally scheduled for June 5, 1944 but Capt. James Stagg stood alone to warn about poor weather conditions and General Dwight D. Eisenhower decided to delay the invasion until June 6th.
Officer Andrew Higgins, boat designer
Nebraska National Guard Infantry Officer Andrew Higgins designed a shallow draft boat to extract trees from the swamps of Louisiana. This is the Land Craft Vehicle Personnel ship that the Defense Department bought for the D-Day landings.
Alan Turing, computer engineer (before its time!)
He deciphered Germany’s Enigma, the machine that encrypted the German codes and developed what became the foundation for the modern computer. If you want to know more watch the Oscar-winning movie "The Imitation Game".
General Theodore Roosevelt Junior, fearless soldier
General Roosevelt who had longstanding health problems, arthritis, a heart condition and injuries sustained in WWI, charged the beach with his cane and pistol. At the age of 56 he was part of the first wave of the invasion. He was the son of former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.
The 9,387 Americans buried in Coleville Cemetery near Omaha Beach
The men and women from the Resistance
They learned of the invasion over the radio and sabotaged rail systems, phone lines and transports.
Adolph Hitler, fast asleep
No one dared wake him up...
which is a perfect link to our expression française.
Les Expressions Françaises
"Branle-bas de combat"
"Battle Stations!"
In the Middle Ages ’branler’ meant to shake, to waver. This is what happened to the hammocks on a sailing ship. These hammocks were therefore called ’branles’ and when there was an alert, sailors had to prepare for battle and pull down their ’branles’ as fast as possible...
Branle-bas de combat is commonly used today for engaging in a hasty preparation for action, not always orderly, but with a real sense of urgency.
Don’t forget to check the Agenda on our website as we update it regularly.
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AND now you can follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/comite-tricolore/