Bonjour Southeast

Your link to the Southeast

June 2012

The Consul General’s message

Dear American friends, this month will mark the legislative elections for the eleven representatives (including one representative for North America) voted to office by French expatriates on June 2 and June 16. The consulate has made every effort to enable our constituents to exercise their right to vote in the best conditions. June will also be a very active month in the scientific, economic, and cultural domains. In the scientific field, we are pleased to welcome a delegation from the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, or INSERM, who will visit Atlanta and North Carolina. In the economic domain, the world’s largest annual wind-focused exhibition, WindPower 2012 will include the participation of French companies. In the cultural domain, Paris-based architect and designer Sébastien Boissard will give a talk at the High Museum. Finally, I will once again have the great honor and privilege of bestowing the insignia of the Legion of Honor upon veterans of WWII. Read.

News

Innovation

In order to perpetuate and make concrete scientific relationships between France and the U.S. Southeast, a French delegation from Inserm (Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale) will be in Atlanta and North Carolina June 25 - 27, 2012. In 2010, the symposium "Transforming Research Cancer through Technology," held during France-Atlanta, initiated relationships between scientists from the Winship Cancer Center of Emory University in Atlanta and French scientists. With the aim of strengthening those relationships, Inserm representatives will meet many potential partners in the American Southeast. Read.

Veterans

In order to express France’s eternal gratitude to those who liberated it from oppression from 1944-45, the Consul General of France in Atlanta, Pascal Le Deunff, will bestow the Legion of Honor upon six American WWII Veterans from South Carolina in a ceremony to be held on June 8, 2012 at the Westin Poinsett Hotel in Greenville. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France. It recognizes eminent services to the French Republic. Recipients of this honor are designated by the President of the Republic. Read.

Business

The 21 Foreign Trade Advisors of France (CCEF) of the Southeastern U.S. will meet on June 8 in Anderson, South Carolina, during their quarterly meeting. They will be welcomed by Foreign Trade Advisor Petot Philippe, Vice-President in charge of Research and Innovation at Glen Raven. The purpose of this meeting will be to focus on the economic situation of the U.S. Southeast, the French-American cooperation in the business domain and the reception of delegations of French companies in the nuclear and smart grid electricity sectors, hosted by Ubifrance. Read.

International Economic and Cultural Symposium

The World Chamber of Commerce of Atlanta is organizing an international symposium on June 14 that will be held at the Four Seasons, beginning at 5 p.m. On this occasion, numerous speakers will share on the opportunities that Atlanta offers in terms of international business, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges. Among the speakers, Annabelle Malins, Consul general of the United Kingdom to Atlanta, will give a presentation on the summer Olympic Games. In addition, homage will be paid to artist Felipe Barral. Finally, Pascal Le Deunff, Consul general of France to Atlanta, will receive an award from the World Chamber of Commerce. Read.

Culture

June 3, 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the plane crash at Paris’s Orly Airport that took the lives of 122 art patrons and friends of the Atlanta Art Association returning home from a European art tour. To honor their memory and continue their passion for the cultural growth of the city, Atlanta’s citizens rallied together and built the Memorial Arts Building, now part of the Woodruff Arts Center, to celebrate multiple forms of art. As a commemoration of Orly, the Woodruff will host a special Community Day of free activities on June 3 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read.

Contemporary Design

Bold contemporary architecture. Design excellence. Modern Atlanta (MA) has made a global name for itself of showcasing the latest contemporary architecture and design that inspire and encourage a sustainable environment. MA’s 5th annual Design Is Human Week will welcome Paris-based architect and designer Sébastien Boissard, who will give a talk at the High Museum of Art on June 9 on “Diversion/Conversion—in Architecture/Design between Industry and Craft”. Read.

French-American community

Discover the many events organized in June by French representatives in the U.S. Southeast. Our partners, such as the local Alliances Françaises and French-American Chambers of Commerce, do an amazing job of promoting France in the area. Mark your calendars! Read.

Culture, education & science

Cultural Agenda

The cultural agenda of the Consulate General of France in Atlanta keeps you informed on the many cultural events related to France organized in the Southeast. Check it out! Read.

Educational Bulletin

Le bulletin éducatif or educational bulletin is a monthly newsletter addressed to the teachers of French providing them with pedagogical resources and various information regarding the events of educational/linguistic interest happening in the Southeast. Read (in French only).

Scientific Letter

The Scientific letter is addressed to any science lover and presents significant advances in France and the U.S. Southeast in sciences. It also lists scientific events as well as information not to be missed. Read.

Philippe Chatillon

Though Philippe Chatillon chose to leave the setting suns of his native town, Rouen, to find the unchained skyline of the wide American open spaces, Victor Hugo’s “City of the Hundred Steeples, ” Stendhal’s “Athens with Gothic style, ” and the city which has been the epicentre of so many others great names of French history, will nevertheless continue to nourish via the imagination the ever-present memories that Chatillon retains of his French origins. Read.

France up close

Job-creating foreign investment in France

In 2011, France remained attractive to investors with 698 investment decisions made by foreign companies that will create or maintain 27,958 jobs. France is the second largest recipient in Europe of internationally mobile physical investment from all over the world (40 different countries in 2011). Europe remained the leading source region, responsible for 60% of the investment decisions in 2011, while the United States was the leading source country. Read.