With upcoming events celebrating a French national holiday, the Alliance Française strives to introduce Twin Cities residents to the French community and culture. 

The Alliance strives to promote French-related cultures and languages through events in their community center, such as their cafe and art gallery. 

The Alliance Française MSP is the local chapter of the nonprofit organization centered around “International Understanding,” according to the Alliance Française entry. The organization began in Minnesota in the 1920s before becoming a nonprofit in 1975. 

Alliance Française Marketing and Membership Coordinator Kristi Manning said the Alliance aims to promote French language and culture within the Twin Cities for everyone, not just French speakers. 

“Whether you speak French, you’re from France or a Francophone country, whether you are a very beginner or an advanced speaker or no French at all or just have interest in French culture, this place is for anyone and everyone to come and be a part of,” Manning said. 

French became an official language in Minnesota in 1896 due to increased fur traders from France and Quebec. Around 16,000 people spoke French or similar languages like Cajun in Minnesota in 2023, according to Acutrans translation and interpretation services. 

Cultural Programs Intern Elise L’Aot said the Alliance is creating events for people to learn more about French history and to highlight the local French community through the July 14 French holiday Bastille Day. The holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille and the French Revolution.

L’Aot said the event will include a parade, food trucks, local vendors and live music. 

“We want to attract people from France, like expat-type of people, but also just people that want to learn more about France,” L’Aot said. 

The Alliance does not only celebrate France but also other French-speaking cultures, Manning said. 

Manning said the Alliance offers various learning opportunities and social activities centered around French and French-speaking cultures such as Haitian or Moroccan. From grammar and film classes to cooking and art, Manning said the Alliance always has events going on. 

Alliance Française Executive Director Christina Selander Bouzouina said international exchanges and cross-cultural opportunities can create stronger communities and help people get along despite cultural differences. 

“Especially today in the world we’re living in, where it’s very polarized, I think the more we learn about other cultures and other languages and other people, the better we can all get along, the more we can learn from each other,” Selander Bouzouina said. 

Manning said many languages and cultures come together at Alliance Française events. Manning added the Alliance tries to highlight other nations with French-related cultures by dedicating a month of events for these countries. 

“I had no idea how big the French-speaking community was in Minneapolis,” Manning said.

Selander Bouzouina said throughout the many years she has been with the Alliance, she has watched the community continually grow and gain new perspectives. Bouzouina added she finds the ever-growing list of French and Francophone culture and history they promote inspiring. 

“There’s so much to promote and so much French history or French speaking culture or French language to teach,” Selander Bouzouina said.

L’Aot said the Alliance is always trying to expand its horizons through its art gallery by having artists from all different nationalities and cultures exhibit their work. In August, the Alliance will show art from a Minneapolis-based Peruvian artist, L’Aot added. 

“We also want this space to be somewhere they can go, even though they’re not French,” L’Aot said. “It doesn’t matter, I think it’s more about the language than France.”