Tuesday, December 3, 2024

From the President

 Welcome to our December newsletter!

My ‘Mot’ this month is more like a dot point presentation, but I figure it is more important to share facts and news with you than to worry about prose!

·        As the New Year approaches, I invite you to continue your adventure and relationship with our Alliance Française by renewing your membership for 2025, so that you won’t miss out on any of the exciting things we have planned for the year ahead!  You will find out what is in store for 2025 on page 3 of you La Mouette.

·        Last month, 12 members of our regular French speaking group got together for lunch at Florabel Café & Bar in Eden. The food was very pleasant, the conversation was lively, in short we all had a great time and are ready to do it again at another venue, early next year, this time we will be meeting in Bermagui.

·        Continuing with recent events, on Wednesday 27 November, Lilias and Mike once again hosted a French wine tasting, presented by Justin from Amazing Grapes Canberra and attended by 15 members and 6 guests. Mike told me that it was a very enjoyable and happy evening, with lots of conversation, he did not mention the wine, but I am pretty sure it was the wine that got the tongues wagging!

·        The reopening of Notre-Dame: the reopening ceremonies will begin on December 7 and 8, 2024, followed by an octave of events until December 15, including two concerts of Jean-Sébastien Bach’s Magnificat on December 17 and 18.

·        Once again, Christmas is just around the corner and its magic is gradually taking over the streets, shops and homes. It is time to decorate the house, think about the menu and plan the celebrations. To get you in the spirit, you will find articles dedicated to Christmas in this issue. Chocolate is inextricably linked with the sweets and pleasures of Christmas. Individual chocolates appear behind the windows of the Advent calendar and on the Christmas table, to the delight of all gourmets the world over. I am celebrating this nutty, velvety treat with a finger-licking gourmet dessert, perfect for your Christmas menu. So if, like me, you love chocolate, try the recipe on page 8 of you La Mouette.

·        Before the year ends, take a moment to celebrate the festive season with us by taking part in the Coupe d’Antibes, on Friday 13 December and our Christmas Party, on Friday 20 December.   

·        On behalf of the entire team of the Alliance Française, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your continued support and participation and to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, un très joyeux Noël et une excellente nouvelle année.

·        See you all in the New Year (and on 13 and 20 December!)

Sylvie

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