Throughout the month of March and into early April my office is helping to run the Francophonie Cultural Festival of 2010. This is where different French-speaking nations come together and celebrate their different cultures. And since this is the first week of March, that means that it was the first week of the Francophonie Festival!
Monday night was a grand affair--it was a reception for the different members of the francophone nations. So I met the ambassador of Haiti and Canada, and although others were present I merely saw them from afar. Needless to say, I--the intern--was the lowliest person in the room. The event took place in the Willard InterContinental Hotel in a HUGE room with marble and plush carpet. Delicious spreads of food as well as different drinks were scattered throughout the room. The entire evening was about 80% in French and 20% in English. It was quite the affair.
As well as the mingling and socializing and handshaking, speeches were given and awards were handed out. Like I said, quite the affair. And to top it off, just as I discovered the chocolate covered strawberries, a group of 4 boys started to frap. Nope, that wasn't a typo, frap is French rap. Now, while I can understand French, I can honestly say that I cannot understand a single word of frap. But the experience of hearing them and watching those at the reception bobbing their heads in approval to the beat of the song was entertaining enough.
Then Wednesday evening my office helped participate in yet another event. This event was the collaboration of the New York State Society, the Canadian Embassy, and the Quebec Government Office (my office). This event took place in the Canadian Embassy and was formatted similar to Monday evening. There was delicious spread of food, wine/soft drinks, and speeches. Congressmen from the State of New York, members of the Embassy of Canada, and the members of the Office of Quebec were present to celebrate the continuing partnership between Canada and New York. The only difference in the evening was that this event was 80% in English and 20% in French. Overall, it was quite a fancy event.
And finally, the week was concluded with the Grande Fete de la Francophonie. About 35 different French speaking nations lined tables around three huge rooms in the French embassy and handed out food and drink native to their nation. So I was pouring one of three different beers, some sort of maple sugar whisky, cheese, and meat--all of which came from Quebec. The number of people that came to this event is inexplicable. The rooms were totally and completely packed, and the it was a busy evening.
My supervisor and I wait behind our table for the Grande Fete to start!
So all in all, that was the social part of my week. I can safely say that there never seems to be a down moment in D.C. And with the Cherry Blossom Festival around the corner, the city is only going to get busier!
Que Sera Sera.
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