Embassy of the United States

Outreach & Activities

2008 Outreach and Activities

The following is not meant to be an exhaustive account of the wide variety of activities in which APP Rennes is involved. Instead, it is intended to give readers an idea of the types of activities supported by APP Rennes, and to encourage French and American partners to come up with additional ideas for other projects furthering Franco-American relations.

The APP staff will be pleased to take part in discussions on many different aspects of American life. You may call our office on 02.99.23.44.09.65 in order to get further information.

Outreach and Activities

MLK’s Legacy: On the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s assassination, African-American author Jake Lamar read excerpts from “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail” to graduate students and faculty members at Centrale Engineering School in Nantes.

“Word for Word”:  San Francisco based theater company “Word for Word” brought James Baldwin’s short story “Sonny’s Blues” to life for high school and university students in April during 3 separate performances in Nantes and Angers.

French-American Business Relations:  APP Rennes co-sponsored a lecture and reception by the Director of the Paris-based American Chamber of Commerce on “The Outlook for Transatlantic Relations” at the Franco-American Institute on March 28.

American Authors: Three American authors -- Rick Bass, Pete Fromm and Doug Peacock -- shared their experiences as “nature writers” at the literary festival “Impressions d’Europe” in Nantes April 11.   

2008 Presidential Elections:  APP Rennes has conducted a series of events designed to help local audiences better understand the 2008 presidential election process, including talks at schools in Angers and Nantes.  We also arranged for EURadio Nantes to conduct a one hour interview with Embassy Political Officer on this subject on March 19.  A podcast of that interview is available at www.euradionantes.eu/index.php?page=electionsamericaines

Talk on U.S. Media:  The Consul in Rennes spoke to three classes of high school students in Saint Lo on the role of the media and freedom of the press in the United States on March 18.    The lectures took place as part of the school's "Press Week" activities.  APP Rennes Explains US Foreign Policy Priorities to University Students.

US Foreign Policy Priorities: The consul gave a talk on the US foreign policy to 80 university students and professors at Institut Albert Le Grand in Angers March 13. 

Introducing US History to Lycée Students:  On March 18, the Consul gave a talk on the history of the United States to high school students and teachers in Vire (Normandy). 

Consul Featured on International Women's Day Broadcast: TV Rennes 35 broadcast a 30-minute interview featuring APP Rennes Consul during the week of March 3 as part of its International Women's Day programming.   

“Mythology of the West in American Art” in Rennes: Public Affairs Minister Counselor helped inaugurate the "Mythology of the West  in American Art 1830-1940 ," an exhibit organized by the French Regional American Museum Exchange  (FRAME).  The exhibit features works by 19th  and 20th century American  artists, including George Catlin and Frederic Remington,  and is drawn from museums throughout the US and France at www.mbar.org/actualites/west/index.htm

Calamity Jane in Rennes: Every Sunday, 50 children and their parents listen as the great-grand daughter of Calamity Jane (portrayed by a professional story-teller) shares stories while leading them around the FRAME exhibit, “Mythology of the American West.”  This program, funded by a grant from APP Rennes, will run through May.

Promoting Franco-American Understanding:  The Consul gave a talk on the current state of French and American political, economic and cultural relations before members of the Lord Russell Association (a Franco-British-American friendship group) at the city hall of Dinard on February 15.  

Black History Month:   APP Rennes organized a series of talks in February at Centrale University around the theme of Black History month.  Topics included a history of the Civil Rights Movement and the Harlem Renaissance. 

Study Abroad: The Consul spoke on Feb 5 in Rennes at a roundtable on overseas studies organized by the local Rotary club. 

Promoting Transatlantic Trade:  In February, APP Rennes' Commercial Specialist spoke on Franco-American trade to business groups in Rennes and Angers.    

Reinforcing Political Connections: The APP staff attended multiple New Year’s receptions in Nantes and Rennes; including those hosted by mayors, prefets and chambers of commerce.     

WWII Resistant Honored:  On January 26, the Consul helped city officials in Domfront (Orne, Normandy) dedicate a conference hall to the memory of a French resistant and deportee who helped downed US airmen escape during World War II. 

Showcasing America at Rennes Tourism Show:  In conjunction with the Visit USA Committee, APP Rennes promoted tourist destinations in ten U.S. cities and states at the Rennes Tourism Show January 25-27.