La Culture Oui, But Why?

Francis Cabrel is a famous French singer, song writer and composer. He has been recognised as one of France most influential artists,  his work is influenced by other poets like George Brassens. many of his songs like Petite Marie or Je l'aime A Mourir are considered French classics. Over his 50-year career Francis Cabrel  sold more than 25 million albums. He was in residency at the Lycee Francais de New York, composing songs with the 4th graders.   

The title of the episode Vous n'aurez pas la Bretagne is the title of a play that will be shown in French on May 19 2025 at the Cultural Center of the Lycee Francais de New York and this Summer in France. At the center of the play are two women Anne de Bretagne and Anne de France who both compete for power and for a province, la Bretagne. Sounds familiar? In this episode we met with Director Valerie Delva and Writer Alain Peron who tell this fascinating rivalry part of l'Histoire de France.  This play has been made possible in part thanks to a grant from the French government (STAFE Soutien au Tissu Associatif des Français de l'Etranger)  culturalcenter.lfny.org 

In this episode opening season 5, the host Pascale Richard reflects on her work at the Cultural Center of the Lycee Francais de New York and talks about coming events including the fair En Francais oui But Why 

French writer Marie Darrieussecq was in New York for the publication of Sleepless in English.  She has been writing for nearly 30 years, since the publication of Pigtales in 1996, and most of her books are translated into English. She came to the Lycee Francais de New York to talk to the students about her book Being Here is Everything: The Life of Paula M. Baker.  The episode is mostly in French with some English 

https://www.sweetcrudeband.com/ Sam Craft is the founder of Sweet Crude, an indie pop and rock band, formed in 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In this sextet, Sam is the violinist and singer. Alexis Marceau is he lead singer and plays percussions.  Their songs combine English and Louisiana French, a dialect spoken by singer Alexis Marceau's family members. The band released their debut album, Créatures, early in 2017 and toured in festivals including Les Francofolies de La Rochelle. In 2019, Sweet Crude released their second album and major label debut, Officiel/Artificiel. In 2022, Sweet Crude released the song Take it back in collaboration with Big Freedia. Sam Craft and Alexis Marceau performed at the Cultural Center of the Lycee Francais de New York on March 21, 2024 in a concert co-organized with the International Organization of the Francophonie .  Sam Craft if the guest of this episode of La Culture Oui But Why?  Sam Craft est le membre fondateur de Sweet Crude, un groupe de pop et de rock indépendant formé en 2013 à la Nouvelle-Orléans, en Louisiane. Dans ce sextet, Sam est le violoniste et chanteur et la chanteuse principale est Alexis Marceau.  Les paroles de leurs chansons combinent l'anglais et le français de Louisiane, un dialecte parlé par les membres de la famille de la chanteuse Alexis Marceau. Le groupe a sorti son premier album, Créatures, début 2017, promu dans une tournée qui les a amenés aux Francofolies de La Rochelle. En 2020,  ils ont sorti leur deuxième album. Sam Craft et Alexis Marceau se sont produits en concert au Centre Culturel du Lycée Français de New York le 21 mars 2024 dans le cadre d'un concert organisé avec l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.  Sam Craft est línvité de cet épisode de la Culture Oui,  But Why?    Musicians: Alexis Marceau, Sam Craft

French photographer Denis Darzacq was born and raised in Paris, a city in which he still lives and works today. He graduated from the ENSAD (French National School for Decorative Arts) in 1986 and started his photographic career following the French rock scene. In 1994, he began a series exploring the nocturnal life of Parisians titled "Only Heaven", which he exhibited at various photo festivals. In 1999, the French Ministry of Culture commissioned him to work on French youth. The interaction between man and urban space and, more precisely, the suburbs have been a driving force in his recent work. Darzacq won the 2007 World Press Photo prize in the "Arts & Entertainment" category for his series "La chute". He has published a number of books including "Act (2011), "Hyper" (2009),"La Chute" (2007), "Bobigny centre ville" (2006, co-author Marie Desplechin), "Le ciel étoilé au-dessus de ma tête" (2004), "Ensembles 1997/2000" (2001). Exhibited extensively throughout France and internationally, his work is also held in both public and private collections, including the Pompidou Center, the FNAC (French National Contemporary Art Fund), the Nicéphore Niépce Museum, and the Cité Nationale de l'Histoire de l'Immigration. He is represented by Laurence Miller Gallery in New York.

French jazz singer and 2023 Best Vocal Artist Camille Bertault, has released her fifth album. In this episode, she talks about her new work, her musicians, and her projects. She will be in concert on Thursday, January 18 at 6.30 pm at the Cultural Center of the Lycee Francais de New York. She will interpret songs from her new album "Bonjour mon Amour" with her New York musicians Cameron Campbell (piano), Eduardo Belo (double bass), Franco Pina ( percussion), Julién Alour (trumpet)  To buy tickets, go to culturalcenter.lfny.org

Matthews Caws is the lead singer on songwriter for the Rock group Nada Surf which was started in 1995 in New York. Remember their title "Popular"? Nada Surf will be releasing its 9th album in the weeks to come and start touring Europe and the US. Matthews Caws is an alum from the Lycee Francais de New York and has something to say about bilingualism and creativity. He will perform at the Cultural Center of the Lycee Francais de New York on November 18, 2023, at 6 pm. Check here Mostly in English some French. Music by Nada Surf: Popular, Inside Love, Friend Hospital Maxime Boublil and others.

French Professor of Orthopedic and Trauma surgery, Professor Saillant was dean of the faculty of medicine and head of the department of Orthopedic, trauma, and reconstructive surgery at the hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris. Professor Gérard Saillant is one of the most eminent sports medicine and spine surgery specialists. He is also President of the FIA ​​Medical Commission, President of the collective "For a France in shape" which works with the committee organization of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, for the legacy of the games in France, and co-founder and President of the Paris Brain Institute. He was President of the Scientific Council of the National Solidarity Fund for Autonomy, Advisor to the French Minister of Sports, and the official doctor of the French Olympic team at the Olympic Games. He is a member of the Paris Saint-Germain medical staff. As part of a partnership signed last spring between the Brain Institute in Paris and the Lycée Français de New York, we invited Professor Gérard Saillant to talk to the students.

French actress Elsa Zylberstein, starring in Simone, The Woman of the Century, is our guest for the first episode (Season 4) of La Culture Oui, But Why? Elsa Zylberstein began her film career in 1989 and has appeared in about 50 films. She won the César Award for Best Supporting Actress for I've Loved You So Long (2008). Recently, she played French politician and Holocaust survivor Simone Veil (13 July 1927 – 30 June 2017) in an Olivier Dahan movie (2022). Simone Veil, Minister of Health in France, played a major role in French history and politics and helped vote for the eponymous law, Loi Veil, allowing abortion in France in 1975. Simone, The Woman of the Century was screened on September 6th at the Lycee Francais de New York Cultural Center. For this episode, we asked Tatyana Franck, Director of the French Institute Alliance Francaise in New York, to interview Zylberstein.