Games. Discover, or re-discover, games in French such as Pictionary, Tabou, Cranium and many more!
The games will be adapted so that they are accessible to all learners of French, whatever their level. It will be an opportunity to speak French but also to discuss French-language culture (film, literature, history and current affairs) through the game. The evening is open to adult members of the Alliance Française.

Wednesday 8 February
from 7.30pm to 9pm
Admission free
AF members only RSVP: library@alliance-francaise.ie

Special Event. Come and join us for a Special Pre-Valentine’s Evening. If you are over 18 and want to have fun while practising your French, you could be the perfect candidate for our Rencontre Express evening (speed-dating à la française !). You will be provided with a fake identity and a glass of wine as soon as you arrive.
We don’t expect you to find your soul mate among the other participants but it might be the start of a wonderful friendship with a fellow Francophile! Join us in a cosy atmosphere with dimmed lighting, candles, roses… and each half of one very lucky couple will win a special treatment (courtesy of Harvest Moon Centre).

Thursday 9 February at 6.30pm
Event in French - Admission free Booking is essential.

Workshop. The Alliance Française invites you to sing every Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm. This choir, now in its third year, is directed by French soloist, and singing teacher, Laura Zimmermann. The repertoire is French and in a variety of styles, from the medieval to the contemporary.The sessions begin with a good warm-up and vocal work.
Whatever your level, don’t hesitate. Join us!

Every Tuesday 1.00-2.00pm
10 Jan – 19 June: 21 sessions
(No choir on 14 February,
3 and 10 April)
€55 for AF members
€80 for Non-Members.
Online registration available
€5 a session for those who
can’t commit to the full term

Exams. The TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) and the TEFaQ (for Québec) is exclusive to the Alliance Française network in Ireland!

TEF is designed for people who are not native French speakers and who, for professional, personal or academic reasons, wish to have their competency in French assessed and certified simply, reliably and quickly.
It allows candidates to demonstrate their fluency in French when they seek employment or promotion or admission to Universities and Grandes Écoles. TEFaQ is certified by Canada and Québec immigration authorities.

Next examination:
TEFaQ - 15 February 2012

Winter Opening Hours:
Monday: 12.30pm - 7.30pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 10am - 7.30pm
Friday: 10am - 5pm
Saturday: 10am - 2.00pm
www.alliance-francaise.ie/library
library@alliance-francaise.ie

Café. La Cocotte continues its acclaimed Tour de France:

MENU AUVERGNE
30 January - 4 February
Salade d'endives au bleu d’Auvergne
Navarin d’agneau printanier,
Gateau aux cerises et chocolat

MENU ALSACE
6 - 11 February
Tarte à l’oignon et salade
Grumbeerekiechle & Saumon fumé
Tarte aux quetsches

MENU ST VALENTIN
13 - 18 February
Salade de pâtes & haricots blancs
Truite et rattes écrasées
Coeur de framboises

MENU CARNAVAL
20 - 25 February 
Salade carnaval
Cocotte surprise
Bugne en oreillette

MENU VAUCLUSE
27 February - 3 March
Salade de Coquillettes
Carré d’agneau à l’avignonnaise
Nougat glacé 

3 courses: €16.50
€14.85 for AF members
Starter + main course: €14.50
€13.05 for AF members
Main course + dessert: €13
€11.70 for AF members

Talk. Sheila Pratschke's background was uniquely suited to her appointment as Director of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

Born in Limerick, she studied Irish and French at UCD. In 1994, she did six months' preparatory work for the Imaginaire Irlandais Festival that took place in Paris two years later. She became Director of the Irish Film Institute in Dublin, then ran the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, an artists' retreat at Annaghmakerrig, an old Victorian House on a lake in Co Monaghan.
Her fascinating career trajectory has given her a unique perspective on Irish culture and how it is perceived abroad. Sheila will talk about the history of the Centre Culturel Irlandais and her role as a director of this fantastic cultural centre.
Talk in French / Q&A French and English

Tuesday 28 February at 6.30pm
Admission free
RSVP: info@alliance-francaise.ie

Competitions. Within the framework of the Francophonie events, the Cultural Service of the Embassy of France and the Alliance Française are delighted to offer the Francophonie Online Quiz for primary (5th & 6th class) and secondary (1st & 2nd year) schools. The quiz will be online on Wednesday 29 February from 9.30am to 12.30pm only.
An award ceremony will be organised for the winners at the Irish Film Institute on 21 March.

The Cultural Service is also offering one Irish student the opportunity to take part in the Allons en France programme and to win a one-week stay in France, in July. The theme this year is "The new challenges for Human Rights in the 21st century."
This contest is for Irish students, between 16 and 25 years old.

More information, terms & conditions and application forms available now on:
www.ambafrance-ie.org

Screening. The strength of one woman's faith takes her to strange and dangerous places in this drama from acclaimed French filmmaker Bruno Dumont.
Céline has been studying at a convent, but her single-minded devotion leads the mother superior to ask Céline to leave and go out into the world. As Céline strives to find herself in a world that seems to have lost its moral compass, she meets Yassine (Yassine Salime), a Muslim teenager who lives in the city. Yassine introduces Céline to his brother Nassir (Karl Sarafidis), a firmly committed Muslim, and in him Céline finds a kindred spirit - despite the differences in their faiths, their belief is equally powerful, and they share the opinion that they live in a world that has cut itself off from God.
Directed by Bruno Dumont,  with Julie Sokolowski, Yassine Salime and Karl Sarafidis. France (2009), 120 minutes. Introduced by Brigitte le Juez.

Wednesday 29 February 6.40pm
€9.20 / €7 AF members

Training. In this new workshop dedicated to secondary school teachers, we will be delighted to welcome Ann Devitt from the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin.
This will be a great opportunity to hear more about the changes that are planned for the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams and curricula.
In order to help us better understand our students’ weaknesses, she will also tell us more about last year’s examiners’ reports. This workshop will also allow teachers to share their experiences in teaching exam students and a few activities will be proposed to give teachers more ideas for use in class.

Saturday 25 February 2012
2.00pm to 4.00pm
€15/ €10 AF Members
limited to 20 trainees
Online registration

Workshop. Each workshop will be dedicated to a different aspect of the French phonetic system.

The aim of these workshops is to introduce the trainees to these aspects of the language, giving them tricks to help them pronounce the sounds and an understanding of how they should be performed.

While the art of phonetics is very important, its practice, in groups of 12 trainees maximum, is fun and the best way to learn is with vocal games and tongue-twisters.

This workshop is for teenagers aged 13-17.

Screening. Arguably Bertrand Tavernier’s most compelling film, Le Juge et l’assassin won no less than four Césars in 1977 (including best film and best actor for Michel Galabru).
Although it is distinguished by some hauntingly beautiful photography and sublime performances, the film also offers a provocative insight into politics. In 19th century France, a crazed former soldier (Michel Galabru) embarks on a killing spree across the country. His crimes spark a frantic manhunt, and he soon becomes the prey of a ruthless judge (Philippe Noiret), who is aware that he will gain political advantage.

Thursday 23 February 7.30pm
1976 - French version
with English subtitles, 121 min
library@alliance-francaise.ie
Admission Free but
reserved for AF members RSVP