New term starts on the 21st of September!

For more than 30 years now, Alliance française de la Dominique has been the leader in teaching French. All teachers of the Alliance française de la Dominique are fully qualified in teaching French as a Foreign Language. Their teaching methods are constantly being updated by training sessions, organized with the French Embassy, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, French Ministry of Education and International Pedagogical studies Centre (CIEP). Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student in French, our classes are tailored to your needs. Come register now at our main office in Roseau (Elmshall road), and online by sending the registration form to the following adress: afrancaise@cwdom.dm

Your Alliance française: still standing and still here for you!

Following the ravaging of Tropical Storm Erika last week, we are relieved to report that our treasured teachers, staff and members remained safe and sound. A bit wetter….a bit muddier, but in good spirits and ready to serve!

We want to express our condolences to the families who suffered loss during the tragedies: loved ones, homes, food, and water. Our hearts go out to the Dominican people. We have seen the resilience, strength and unity employed in rebuilding the nation so soon after the catastrophic events. We, too, are committed to doing whatever we can to rebuild our community, and to ease the sting of loss where possible. Two days after the Storm, Bath Estate residents were allowed access to fresh water at the Alliance until pipe-borne water was restored in the area. Dozens of families from all over the island flocked to the Alliance in need of the relief provided by this gesture.

As we band together to restore schools, roads, and basic essential services, we have deferred the start of French classes until after the start of normal school sessions. For now our office will be opened to serve the public from Monday to Friday. We can be reached at 448 45 57 / 235 45 57 / afrancaise@cwdom.dm

Bon courage ! We are with you!

“Abstraction” a 100% Caribbean dance show premiered in martinique

After an entire month of hard work and rehersals, the 7 Caribbean dancers accompagnied by the choregrapher David Milome presented a unique show on Saturday the 30th in the lengendary Atrium centre in Martinique in front of a delighted audience.

The diversity of the dancers coming from various parts of the caribbean: Dominica, Saint Lucia, St Vincent, Dominican Republic, truly made Abstraction a unique show.

The Alliance française went to get the first-hand encounters of Ghandi Robin, Dominican dancer and David Milome, Choregrapher from MD Company so as to find out about their experience.

Interview with Ghandi Robin

La quinzaine de la jeunesse caribéenne.

The 16th edition of the “15zaine de la Jeunesse Caribéenne” took place in Martinique from July 30th to August 13th. This event is organized every year by the local association OMDAC (Martinican Organization for the Development of Arts and Culture). It allows young persons from the Caribbean to discover Martinique during the summer for 15 days. With the support of the French Embassy and the Alliance française network, a delegation of 3 young Dominicans attended the 2015 edition. It was a great opportunity for the participants to exchange, to represent Dominica abroad and to practice their French skills!

“The youth fortnight organized by OMDAC was nothing less than phenomenal. It was a most unique opportunity to learn about Caribbean culture, discover Martinique, and to be thrust into a French environment where my language skills flourished. It was truly a delight to help represent my country, Dominica, as a delegate at this event and the experience I had, including all the priceless friendships and networks I made, I wouldn’t trade for anything else in this world. Thanks most sincerely to the Alliance Francaise de la Dominique for affording me this opportunity and I would be thrilled to participate in this most prestigious event again.”

Nicole Bertrand

“La Quinzaine de la Jeunesse Caribéenne m’a donné l’opportunité de voyager en Martinique pour la première fois. […]. On était installé en deux lieux principaux – dans un foyer dans la ville de Fort-de-France et après à St. Anne où on a fait du camping. On a visité les sites historiques et touristiques comme le musée de St. James, l’usine du rhum. On a été accueilli par les communes où les autorités nous ont présenté l’histoire de leurs villes et nous avons pu aborder des thèmes variés. J’ai eu beaucoup d’occasions de pratiquer la langue française et çà m’a aidé à être plus sur de moi quand je m’exprime à l’oral. En plus, c’était un plaisir de faire la connaissance de jeunes de la caraïbe dans un environnement accueillant. Je voudrais prendre l’occasion de  remercier l’OMDAC pour ses efforts au succès de la Quinzaine de la Jeunesse Caribéenne.”

“The caribbean Youth meeting gave me the opportunity to visit Martinique for the first time. […] We were settled down in two locations – A centre in Fort de France and at St Anne were we were camping. We did visit the historical and tourists sites like the St James Museum and rum factory. We were  hosted by various cities where the authorities educated us on their communities and we get a chance to discuss on various subjects.  I had many opportunities to practice French and it helps me to be more confident when I express myself. Moreover, it was a pleasure to meet youth from all around the Caribbean in a welcoming environment. I would like to take this opportunity to thanks the OMDAC for the efforts put toward the success of the meeting.”

Jarsmine Vidal

KWEYOL HERITAGE CELEBRATION at Your Alliance française library!

During the independence celebrations in Dominica, come and discover a  selection of books by caribbean authors available at your Alliance française library and online with culturetheque.com!

1- “Tiprens-La” / Le petit Prince by Saint-Exupéry (Guadeloupean Creole)

Le Petit Prince is the first published in 1943, is a novella and the most famous work of the French writer, poet and pioneering aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. “Le Petit Prince” has been translated into more than 250 languages and is also available in Guadeloupean Kweyol.

2- “The Iguana Crest / La crête de l’Iguane” (French & English)

Jean “Baba” Barfleur is from the Northern Grande-Terre region of Guadeloupe. He is a researcher and consultant in Caribbean coastline area history and maritime culture. Barfleur is also President of the “K’nawa” Association and founder father of the ” Lékol a Nou Sé” ( People’s University of Yo Té Pou Nou Sé). His recent book of poetry, with poems in Kwéyol, French and English, is called La Crete de l’Iguane/ The Iguana’s Crest.

3- “Le bataillon créole” by Raphaël Confiant (French)

“Parle-moi de « Là-bas » ! Parle-moi surtout-surtout de La Marne, grand vent qui voyage sans répit de par le monde ! On dit que Théodore est mort dans une tranchée. Je ne comprends pas. Pourquoi l’armée de « Là-bas » se cachait-elle dans des trous au lieu de monter au front ? Pourquoi y attendait-elle que le Teuton fonde sur elle ?”

Né en 1951 à la Martinique, auteur de nombreux romans, essais ou poèmes, Raphaël Confiant est l’un des chefs de file du mouvement littéraire de la créolité.

Available on www.culturetheque.com for Alliance française members / Disponible en ligne sur Culturetheque.com pour les membres de l’Alliance française.

French national pride at Alliance!

In addition to the show organized on the 14th, the French National Day celebration continued in Dominica on the 17th with the presence of His Excellency, Mr. & Mrs. DE LA MOUSSAYE, The French Ambassador to the OECS Member States, His Excellency Mr. & Mrs. Charles SAVARIN, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Ministers, dignitaries, the French community and other distinguished guests.
In his speech, the French Ambassador underlined the hopes placed on the COP21 conference on worldwide climate change which will be hosted in Paris in December 2015.

More than a hundred guests attended the event, enjoying good music by Jay Grimner, Marie Pascale & Clementine Affana, and Shirley Charles in a cheerful atmosphere with wine and petits fours! It was an opportunity also to pay tribute to the outstanding boxing career of Mr Coco, a Guadeloupean professional boxer who currently lives in Dominica.

Remerciements aux partenaires :

– Express des îles
– Citrus Creek Plantation
– Pirates Ltd
– Le Petit Paris Bakery

E.SY Kennenga livens up the Alliance !

On Tuesday, July 14, 2015, over 250 people got together at the Alliance française to celebrate the French national day, commonly known as “Bastille Day” in English speaking countries. A real success brought about by the performance of the Martinican reggae singer, Esy Kennenga and the EK team who conquered the audience through their energy.

Nature Island Literary Festival | “Your Time Is Done Now” – 6/07 at Alliance française

Alliance Francaise will host the launch of the book, “Your Time Is Done Now”, compiled and edited by Polly Pattullo with an introduction by Bernard Wiltshire, on 6 August 2015, at 5.30pm. A short play based on the book and directed by Alwin Bully will be performed at the launch. Refreshments will be provided and the book will be on sale.

When the Maroons of Dominica challenged the British Empire two hundred years ago, they were captured and put on trial. The book tells the story – through the evidence of the trials – of those Maroons: their power, resistance and defeat. For the first time we can hear the voices of the Maroons during the trials and how they waged war against the British.

Polly Pattullo is publisher of Papillote Press, a former British journalist who lives in Dominica and London. Bernard Wiltshire is a former attorney-general of Dominica.