LE BULLETIN de l’Alliance Française de New Haven

P.O. Box 207333, New Haven, CT 06520

https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/

A non-profit organization promoting French language and culture 

Join the Alliance at Bethesda Lutheran Church,305 St Ronan St, New Haven, as we celebrate La Fête des Rois, The King’s Feast, to celebrate the Epiphanie. This represents the conclusion of the Christmas festivities and celebrates the arrival of the three kings to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus after his birth on December 25th.

In France this is celebrated with des galettes des Rois (the King’s Cakes). Traditionally these are pâte feuilleté (puff pastry) filled with frangipane, and une fève (fava bean) baked inside. 

There are two kinds of King Cakes in France; one is layers of puff pastry filled with almond cream, and the other is a circular yeasted cake, more popular in the south of France, festooned with colorful, sticky candied fruit. Although the ones from the south look more festive, there’s something appealing about munching on flaky, buttery puff pastry with a layer of crème d’amandes stuffed inside. Click HERE for a recipe.

To register for this event, send an email to alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com

Join our Meetup conversation group every other Sunday morning from 10:30 to noon for fun and French discussion. To register for this event, send an email to: alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com. Beginning in November we will meet at Panera Bread (1060 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511). January 11, 25, February 8, 22, 2026.

Voici un club pour les membres qui voudraient lire et discuter d'un livre en français (reservé aux gens qui ont un niveau avancé). Nous nous rencontrons par Zoom à 18h30 chaque mois. On discute des thèmes et des idées dans les romans avec le groupe. Si vous voulez les liens ou si vous avez des questions, envoyez un email: alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com. Pour décembre on lit "Ce que je sais de toi par Eric Chacour" . Ce que je sais de toi, premier roman d'Éric Chacour, raconte l'histoire de Tarek, un jeune médecin levantin au Caire dans les années 1980, dont la vie bien rangée est bouleversée par une rencontre passionnée avec un homme, Ali, qui le pousse à fuir vers Montréal, explorant ainsi les thèmes de l'amour interdit, de l'identité, de l'exil et des secrets familiaux à travers une société égyptienne en mutation

Fan of French movies? If so, this club is for you. Join the Alliance Française for a discussion of a French movie on Zoom. If you have a favorite movie or any suggestions for future viewings, send us an email. Clay Howe will lead the conversation. Upcoming films to be announced. We meet on the third Thursday of the month. The film for December is "Un Sac de billes" (2017). In occupied France, two young Jewish brothers search for their family amidst the brutality and violence of the German invasion. Together, they must summon cleverness, courage, and ingenuity to reunite their family and escape the occupying forces. It is available on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home, Kanopy, Hoopla. For further information and to receive the Zoom link, send an email to alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com .

Every year on February 2, France observes La Chandeleur, a.k.a. Candlemas, a.k.a. a day dedicated to eating crêpes. The Catholic religious holiday is exactly 40 days after Christmas, but it also has origins in an older pre-Christian holiday celebrating the harvest and marking the midway point of winter. Join the Alliance Française at Bethesda Lutheran Church,305 St Ronan St, New Haven, as we celebrate this holiday. While we enjoy our crêpes, Toto will speak to us about his career in the US.



Toto Kisaku Mbenaga was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 1978. He is an internationally renowned Congolese playwright, actor, and director. After completing his training in pedagogy and qualifying as a teacher, followed by studies in Dramatic Arts at the National Institute of Arts in Kinshasa, he co-founded K-Mu Théâtre in 2003. Through this platform, he traveled the world producing and performing in various plays. His works and co-creations include “Rencontre au Pluriel,” “Basal’ya Bazoba,” “Surface,” “Requiem for an Electric Chair,” “7 Dialogue,” and “Six Feet Under the Losers.”

Kisaku’s art often confronted political oppression and the exploitation of children in the DRC. His activism placed him in danger. He was arrested, imprisoned, and nearly executed for creating work that criticized government abuses.

He escaped execution only because a guard showed him unexpected mercy. This harrowing experience later became the basis of his acclaimed one‑man play Requiem for an Electric Chair, which recounts the seven days he spent in a dark cell awaiting death.

Kisaku arrived in the United States in late 2015, seeking political asylum. His asylum was granted in March 2018.

Since then, he has lived and worked in Connecticut, redefining his artistic expression in response to the tensions between his homeland and his new country. His work continues to explore how people living under oppressive regimes or in poverty can reclaim their humanity through creativity and imagination.

To register for this event, send an email to alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com

Join us this winter for a six-week course. This is a gentle and engaging introduction to French! Whether you're brand new to the language or brushing up on basics, this course offers a welcoming space to explore vocabulary, conversation, and culture. We learn reading, speaking, writing, grammar.

Level: Beginner – no prior knowledge required

Start Date: January 5, 2026 to February 9, 2026

Location: Online via Zoom

 Materials: Textbook: Learn French the Fast and Fun Way, Edition 4, by Elisabeth Bourquin Leete and Theodore Kendris, PhD . This textbook is French with English explanations.

Computer, laptop or tablet

Expect themed lessons, friendly practice, as we build confidence together. Perfect for adult students who enjoy learning in a relaxed, supportive environment.

$240.00 Membership Enrollment Required if you are not already a member.

You may send questions to: yvonnepk@usa.net

Register on line: https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment/

Do you find that you understand quite a bit of French when you read it — or even when you hear it — but when it’s time to speak, you suddenly feel tongue-tied?

In this six-week course, we'll focus on overcoming the fear and hesitation that can hold you back from speaking freely. Together, we’ll practice speaking out loud without second-guessing ourselves. We’ll work with words, fine-tune our pronunciation, and build sentences with confidence. Along the way, grammar will be seamlessly woven into our practice, and new vocabulary will become second nature.

We'll create a fun, friendly, and nonjudgmental environment where everyone supports one another. Apologizing for mistakes will not be allowed — after all, that's how we learn!

If you had some French learning experience and would like to improve speaking skills, this course is for you.

Materials needed:

French Short Stories, Dylane Moreau

The Ultimate French Review and Practice, Premium Third Edition

Computer, laptop, or tablet

$ 240.00 Membership Enrollment Required if you are not already a member.

You may send questions to: yvonnepk@usa.net

Register on line: https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment/

This course uses the classic and popular program French in Action—a tried-and-true favorite—and is ideal to plunge into French right from the start.

This course will cover reading, listening, speaking and writing with some grammar woven in. Along the way, we’ll observe aspects of French culture and enjoy discovering new ways of thinking and seeing the world. The course is ideal for students who start off or who have had minimal exposure to the language.

Together, we’ll create a fun, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where everyone feels encouraged. No apologizing for mistakes—they’re a natural and essential part of learning!

Materials needed:

o French in Action Textbook, Hard Copy, Third Edition, Part 1. This Textbook is in French only with dictionary in back.

o The Ultimate French Review and Practice, Premium Third Edition

o Computer, laptop, or tablet

$ 240.00 Membership Enrollment Required if you are not already a member.

You may send questions to: yvonnepk@usa.net

 Register on line: https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment/

The Adult Intermediate/Advanced French Class will meet every Wednesday,  starting, Wednesday January 21st ,  2026  and run for 8  weeks at the home of Jacqueline Munk in Milford. (The location may change to a New Haven site, depending on number of students.)

 Our classes are small and the atmosphere is friendly, non-judgmental and conducive for conversation. Classes will be two hours at a time, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm EST on Wednesday and run for eight weeks. Starting day: January 21st. Class sizes are limited to give everyone the optimum experience.  

In this course, we will concentrate mainly on the conversational aspect of the language. Our goal is to have you easily express yourself on various topics du jour, incorporating correct grammar as much as possible. This course will be conducted entirely in French. All four language skills listening, speaking, reading and writing will be practiced and homework will be assigned.

Cost: $320 for members Membership Enrollment Required (if you are not already a member)

You may send questions to: Jacqueline Munk jjmunk@msn.com

Register on line: https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment/

Save the dates, More info to follow:

February 1, 2026 La Chandeleur at Bethesda from 5-7 PM

Celebrate Francophonie with us!

Try Fantastique for a whole month for free! The interactive, daily lessons only last 10 minutes and allow you to immerse yourself playfully and tailored to you in the French language.

After an assessment test, the lessons adapt to your level and interests, for optimal learning progress.

Discover Aimigo at the end of your lessons, your new AI-powered virtual friend with whom you can practice speaking. Aimigo helps you feel more confident when speaking and can discuss a variety of topics with you!

Click HERE TO TEST FOR FREE.

Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for (audience)? Why should they care (benefit)? What do I want them to do (call-to-action)?

Create a great offer by adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Dear Colleagues,

Memberships are from Sept.-August. If you have not already renewed your membership,

renew now.

Your benefits include:  

-Participation in the events of the Alliance Française (See programs on our website https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/

-Close communication with the Alliance (emails, newsletter, Bulletin)

-Exclusive and free participation in Le Café Littéraire

-Access to the French classes at the Alliance Française of New Haven

-Participation in Le Ciné-Club

-Access to Culturethèque Your French multimedia e-library!

-Links to other Francophones and Francophiles .

Cost: Student: $30, Senior: $35, Individual: $45, Couple: $55, Family: $60

You may pay online at https://www.alliancefrancaisenewhaven.org/online-payment or you may pay with a check. If full membership is difficult for some due to financial constraints, please let us know. Send us an email at alliancefrancaisenh@gmail.com Please make checks payable to the Alliance Française of New Haven. Send payment to Alliance Française of New Haven, P.O. Box 207333, New Haven, CT 06520.

January 2026: It Was Just an Accident (2025)

Director Jafar Panahi

Starring Vahid Mobasseri, Maryam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Paak Baten

Genre Drama, Thriller

When a man stops for help after a traffic incident, he meets Vahid, who believes that the man was a prison officer who tortured him. Before enacting a revenge plan, Vahid gathers other victims to confirm the man's identity.

Discussions will usually take place on the fourth Monday of each month. Participants are encouraged to watch the film via streaming before attending the discussion. The Zoom link will be sent out via email after registration. 

Click HERE to register.

Join the Alliance Française for a Special Virtual Evening with Jacques Pépin

Jan 22 2026

4:00pm - 5:00pm

You are invited to join legendary chef, author, and artist Jacques Pépin for an intimate virtual conversation celebrating his remarkable career and his newest book, The Art of Jacques Pépin: Favorite Recipes and Paintings from My Life in the Kitchen (published by Harvest). He will be joined in conversation by James Beard Award-winning Chef Jean-Louis Gerin. 

This special event offers members of the Alliance Française community a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the world’s most beloved culinary figures. Having recently celebrated his 90^th birthday, Jacques Pépin continues to inspire with his artistry, generosity, and lifelong dedication to the pleasures of good food, creativity, and connection.

Come savor stories—and discover the beauty, flavor, and spirit that infuse every page of The Art of Jacques Pépin.

Visit bookshop.org to purchase The Art of Jacques Pépin: Favorite Recipes and Paintings from My Life in the Kitchen.

Photo credit: Tom Hopkins.

Click HERE to register.

• The online bookseller Lireka continues to ship for free to the United States without passing along any delivery fees to its customers. 
• Click here for an article in France Today exploring how comics (“the ninth art”) are deeply engrained in French culture.
• Click here for a recent NYT article on the French secret to healthier eating.
• FRANCE Calendar 2026: See the new France Today calendars here.
• France Today is offering the following for AF Members: "France Today" Membership: 3 months free trial and "Bonjour Paris" Membership 50% off.