On 8th June 2025, President of Alliance Française de Cork Valérie David-McGonnell was delighted to welcome to AF de Cork two French Senators from the Senate’s French-Irish Friendship Group, Senator Pierre Medevielle (President of the group) and Senator Philippe Folliot, accompanied by Hon. Consul of France in Cork Josselin LE GALL, as part of their first official visit to Ireland since 2020.

It was the occasion to mention several initiatives and events which are specific to AF de Cork: the DELF for DEIS scholarship (for students from disadvantaged post-primary schools in Cork City, with the support of Cork City Council - Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí), the 20/20 Project (which aims to promote French and the Francophonie in primary schools in Cork, with the support of the Embassy of France in Ireland), our French courses for primary school teachers (AF de Cork was the very first AF in Ireland to create and launch these courses in Jan. 2024, with the support of the PPLI), the Cork French Film Festival (the oldest French film festival in Ireland), our "Passeport pour la langue française" (which was presented to the Taoiseach at an event recently), etc.

Fête de la musique 2025 at Alliance Française de Cork

Four ways of celebrating French music this June:

 Listen to Soprano Mary McCabe’s interview in French (Mary McCabe will be performing Francis Poulenc’s "La Voix humaine" at the Everyman Theatre in Cork on 5th June):
https://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com/Podcast-Entretien-avec-la-chanteuse-d-opera-Mary-McCabe-mai-2025

 Watch a French film related to music, on 21st June (in-person), in partnership with the French Embassy:
Free event but booking is required. More info here:
https://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com/French-Film-Screening-at-AF-de-Cork-21st-June-for-the-Fete-de-la-musique

 Try our online quiz about French music:
Quiz in French about French music:
https://www.alliancefrancaisecork.com/Quiz-in-French-about-French-language-music

 Listen to our collaborative French Songs playlist on Spotify:
Many thanks to all the students who participated in the creation of this list.
To access this list, you will need to create a free Spotify account: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6D3MVKPqyhJEmNjnqTUzp1?si=gPWOy2mtT9mh-JgtEaXkqA

In May, we were delighted to welcome French Dance Instructor Anouk Hart for a Breton dancing class, as part of the Fête de la Bretagne.

On Saturday 7th June, from 5 pm to 6 pm, Anouk will teach you steps from different Latin dances (Cha-cha, Salsa, Zouk & Bachata), through French and with French music! No partner needed!

Free event at Alliance Française de Cork. Booking required, by email: info@alliancefrancaisecork.com
Places are limited !

As part of the ’Fête de la musique’ which takes place on 21st June every year, we are delighted to propose the screening of a French film in our projection room at Alliance Française de Cork, in partnership with the Embassy of France in Ireland and with the support of the international Institut Français.

Film screening of ‘Les Goûts et les couleurs’ (’Not My Type’)
Directed by Michel Leclerc (France 2022 – Comedy)
on Saturday 21st June 2025, at 6.15 pm
at Alliance Française de Cork (projection room).

Synopsis
Marcia, a passionate young singer, is recording an album with her idol Daredjane, a rock icon of the 1970s, who suddenly disappears. To release their album, she must convince Daredjane’s heir, Anthony, a small-town market vendor who has never liked his distant relative, let alone his music. Their two worlds clash between good and bad taste, popular and chic, sincerity and lies. Unless love gets in the way, of course…

Please note that booking for this free screening is required as places are limited.
To register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaRvb33-aDrIUcLyY1fp_Z183xRDrhswxegEor1iYS_5FuzA/viewform?usp=dialog

🇲🇦 The opening of the photography exhibition ’Morocco, Land of Light’ at Alliance Française de Cork, organised in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ireland, took place on 23rd May 2025, with over 50 attendees.

The exhibition was opened by His Excellency Dr. Lahcen Mahraoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland, and Valérie David-McGonnell, President of AF de Cork, in the presence of Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork City Cllr. Honore Kamegni, TD Padraig O Sullivan, Deputy Mayor of County Cork Cllr Councillor Audrey Buckley, Hon. Consul of France to Cork & Kerry Josselin LE GALL, Hon. Consul of Switzerland Anne Kristine K., Deputy President of the Cork Chamber of Commerce Fiona Kearney, AF de Cork Board Members Pr. Grace Neville, Pascal Lucas and Philippe Grosbois, and Post-Primary Languages Ireland Representative Vicky Bouché.

Many thanks to all who have attended this event.

The opening was followed by an official visit from His Excellency Dr. Lahcen Mahraoui to the Cork City Hall where he was received by Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Dan Boyle.

About the exhibition:

’Morocco, Land of Light’
Morocco has enchanted countless hearts with its luminous charm and stunning landscapes. The phrase "Morocco: Land of the Far Sunset" resonates as a beacon of freedom, capturing the profound spiritual bond the kingdom shares with its remarkable geography and vast horizons.

Through the partnership of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ireland and Alliance Française, this visual collection from the Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech will brighten the cultural landscape of Cork and other cities in Ireland.

’Morocco, Land of Light’ will be exhibited at Alliance Française de Cork from 23rd May to 27th June 2025.

Article in the French press about the opening of this exhibition in Cork: https://lepetitjournal.com/dublin/exposition-maroc-terre-de-lumiere-lalliance-francaise-de-cork-414204

Alliance Française de Cork is delighted to welcome to its gallery a beautiful photography exhibition entitled ’Morocco, Land of Light’ which will be launched in our gallery at Alliance Française de Cork by H. E. Dr Lahcen Mahraoui, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ireland, on Friday 23rd May, 5 pm.
If you wish to attend this event, please send us an email to: info@alliancefrancaisecork.com.

’Morocco, Land of Light’
Morocco has enchanted countless hearts with its luminous charm and stunning landscapes. The phrase "Morocco: Land of the Far Sunset" resonates as a beacon of freedom, capturing the profound spiritual bond the kingdom shares with its remarkable geography and vast horizons.

In 1832, the renowned painter Eugène Delacroix expressed his admiration for this land, saying, "In Morocco, there is color everywhere." Since that time, the nation has inspired generations of poets, artists, and photographers eager to capture its enchanting beauty. From the richness of its lush gardens to the mystery of its ancient medinas, and from the grandeur of its towering mountains to the tranquil sounds of its boundless seas, all thrive under the warm embrace of the sun and the twinkling stars of the night sky.

This exhibition aspires to serve as a spiritual conduit to the essence of Morocco, inviting viewers to delve into its extraordinary allure. It showcases an exceptional collection of photographs from the "Dar al-Suwar" in Marrakech, each image a visual gem narrating the timeless beauty of this enchanting land.

Through the partnership of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Ireland and the AF network in Ireland, this visual collection will brighten the cultural landscape of Cork and other cities in Ireland.

’Morocco, Land of Light’ will be exhibited at Alliance Française de Cork from 23rd May to 27th June 2025.

On Monday 19th May, we will celebrate the Brittany region and Breton culture, at 7 pm, at Alliance Française de Cork,
with a presentation in French by Emma Trevilly about different places to visit in beautiful Brittany.
Participants will also get to sing a Breton song and learn a few Breton dance steps with Anouk Hart!

Event organised by Alliance Française de Cork, with the support of BreizhEire and of the Honorary Consul of France to Cork, as part of the ’Fête de la Bretagne’ (Brittany Festival).

To book your place by email: info@alliancefrancaisecork.com

Last guided tours of Art Maestria’s French exhibition ’Palettes of France’ at AF de Cork, with artist Hanaé Han
on Saturday 17th May 2025:

1. at 2 pm (in English)
2. at 3 pm (in French)

At Alliance Française de Cork, we love Louane!
Louane is a French singer who was born in the Région Hauts-de-France. She will represent France at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, the final of which will take place on 17th May in Basel (Switzerland).

To listen to Louane’s song Maman: https://youtu.be/Pj2DTSLcNnI

To mark Europe Day on 9th May, Alliance Française de Cork is delighted to support the EUNIC Ireland Network (European Union National Institutes for Culture) free online screening of its 2024 Short Shorts from Europe programme showcasing the richness and diversity of contemporary European cinema.

Short Shorts from Europe Film Festival is a vibrant selection of short films from twelve EUNIC Ireland member countries. Showcasing a wide range of genres and perspectives from today’s European filmmakers, the programme features shorts from Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain, including one in French.

To book and watch this free programme of short films (on 9th May at 6 pm):
watch.eventive.org/franceinireland/play/67f00a987d483cb54f043a39