Spoken by 300 million people on the five continents and by 2.1 million people in the United States, French language is the second most widely learned language in the world. Since 1970, French language has been celebrated on March 20, which marks the birth of the Intergovernmental Organization of French-speaking nations (Organisation internationale de la francophonie).
Each year in March, the Cultural Service of the French Embassy in Houston coordinates the French Cultures Festival (FCF) in Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. A celebration of the diversity of "francophonie", it brings together people who not only speak French, but also feel, in one way or another, connected to France and the Francophone community.
One of the major objectives of the French Cultures Festival is to create awareness of the diversity of French language and cultures and to stimulate exchanges with the public.
The FCF gathers many institutional partners from museums, universities, schools, diplomatic representations, and many other organizations. Last year, over 40 cultural and educational events were showcased during the Festival in the three states covered by the Cultural Service.
DOWNLOAD HERE the 2020 French Cultures Festival Report.
FESTIVAL CALENDAR
The Cultural Service of the French Embassy in Houston, along with 50+ cultural and educational partner institutions in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, is proud to present a total of 52 events this year to celebrate the French language and the diversity of French cultures.
- Check out the ONLINE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
- Download the 2020 French Cultures Festival List of events
COVID-19 updade: the festival promised to be particularly rich this year with the announcement early March of 53 events to be held throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas – a number never reached by the Festival before! A few days later however, the situation related to the COVID-19 crisis led many partners to interrupt or cancel their events. 40 events in total have been impacted (7 interrupted / 33 cancelled). Read the 2020 French Cultures Festival Report here below for more information about the 2020 edition.
FREE KICK-OFF CONCERT IN HOUSTON
March 6 I 6-10 PM | Discovery Green, Downtown Houston | 1500 McKinney, Houston TX 77010
FREE event, open to the public and family-friendly!
A kick-off celebration of the Festival will take place in Houston, TX on the stage of the Discovery Green park, and showcase a bouncing mix of French / Indie / Blues rock, folk, pop and soul sounds with three francophone and American bands: CharlElie Couture (France), Ariane Roy (Québec) and Vodi (Houston, TX). Delicacies from Francophone countries will also be offered by food vendors throughout the night.
For more information, check out the concert webpage, and join the Facebook event page!
THANK YOU TO OUR VALUED SPONSORS!
The French Cultures Festival is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, and supported by
- the Four Seasons Hotel Houston,
- Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA,
- the Québec Government Office in Houston,
- Air Liquide,
- French Country Wines,
- Awty International School,
- the Consulate General of France in Houston,
- Phoenicia Specialty Foods / MKT Bar,
- Sallymoon Benz,
- ENGIE North America,
- TV5MONDE USA,
- Pauvarel Moss Law Firm,
- the Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta,
- Swiss-American Society of Houston
- City Orchard Houston
- Kronenbourg
- LeNôtre Culinary Institute
- Arts & Crêpes
- Le Macaron French Pastries
THANK YOU
Thank you to Texan-French Alliance for the Arts, Allen Hill Entertainment, Discovery Green, Aztec, Charlie Ewing, and Hillary Brindell.
WE'RE SOCIAL!
Make sure to follow us on Facebook for daily reminders of the events taking place in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Contact us: amandine.castillo@diplomatie.gouv.fr / +1 346-272-5362
