Speeches

Dear Marina Kellen French, Distinguished guests, 

On July 8, 2021, Gaëtan Bruel, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy awarded William T. Castro with the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters. As Manhattan Borough Parks Commissioner, Bill Castro has helped bring French culture to New Yorkers across the city by partnering with the French Embassy for the annual Films on the Green Festival.  Ladies and gentlemen, 

On May 26, Gaëtan Bruel, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, awarded Elizabeth Smith with the insignia of Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Elizabeth Smith is an art historian and curator who has helped American audiences connect with French artists across decades, and as Executive Director of the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation, has supported broad access to the visual arts.  Ladies and gentlemen, Welcome to all of you, here in Albertine, in New York, or throughout the world, on Zoom,

On March 15, 2021, Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France in the United States,  awarded Evelyne Estey with the insignia of Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur. As Principal of the Lycée Français de New York, Evelyne Estey has demonstrated extraordinary leadership. Her innovative spirit and unrelenting commitment to fostering a diverse and well-rounded learning experience, especially amid unprecedented challenges, have significantly advanced bilingual and multicultural education. Chère Evelyne Estey,

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I am Bénédicte de Montlaur, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy. What a pleasure to welcome you all tonight to Albertine for what is sure to be a captivating discussion on French and American fashion!

On July 11th, Deputy Cultural Counselor Thomas Michelon welcomed Governor Pataki, Ambassador Castellenata, General Consul Kumin, George Sape and authors Allison and Owen Pataki for the launch of their novel on the French Revolution, Where The Light Falls, published by Random House in July 2017. The evening included a reception and book-signing at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York

On July 11th, Deputy cultural counselor Thomas Michelon welcomed Governor Pataki, Ambassador Castellenata, General Consul Kumin, George Sape and authors Allison and Owen Pataki for the launch of their novel on French Revolution: Where The Light Falls.

On June 20, Deputy Cultural Counselor Thomas Michelon gave a commencement address at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in New York on the occasion of the graduation of the students participating in PS 110 and PS 133's French Dual Language Program. He praised the hard work and dedication of both the teachers and students and encouraged the students to continue their studies in French.