Seattle Center Celebrates French Speaking Cultures at Festál: French Fest

Embrace the cultures of the Pacific Northwest and cultivate love, peace and understanding of the communities that make up our region. Join us for Seattle Center Festál: Seattle's French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, March 24, at Seattle Center Armory to recognize the place of French language, culture and joie de vivre in 30 countries worldwide.

Now in its seventh year, Seattle's French Fest draws its inspiration from the worldwide "Day of Francophonie," organized in over 100 countries each March to celebrate the diversity of French-speaking cultures and traditions. Festival-goers have an opportunity to enjoy live music, dance performances, activities and French cuisine. A children's art contest with a special graffiti theme inspired by this year's "Dis-Moi Dix Mots"(Tell Me 10 Words) project will showcase 10 words from the French language and invite students who learn French at school to give their own artistic impression and understanding of the words.

Explore exhibits highlighting the presence of French-speaking cultures around the world, from West-African dance to French-Canadian film. French-Canadian journalist and TV host Frédéric Choinière will MC the event, thanks to a partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle. The ever-popular "Best Baguette" contest returns, where contestants sample the French staple and choose their favorite. Partake in French wine tastings with Julien Hervet, owner of local wine bar, Cépaé, and the President of the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest. See food demonstrations from Chef Didier Poirier and Chef Michel Lallaison for authentic dishes including: moules marinières and chocolate almond clusters.

For full event details visit: http://www.fenpnw.org/events/french-fest/ or the French Fest Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/SeattleFrenchFest/

Newly added this year is the "Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway." Guests who obtain a passport inside the Armory or by downloading online can collect stamps by attending festivals to be entered to win two round-trip air travel to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the higher the odds of winning! More information at seattlecenter.com/festal.

Seattle Center Festál brings to light the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, its origins stretch back to when ethnic communities were planting their roots here. For many of them, Seattle Center served as a central place, where they could invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. This year's theme, "Love, Peace and Understanding," is woven into the 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust.

Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center and France Education Northwest. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit http://www.fenpnw.org/events/french-fest/, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Festál

This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Lyft, 4Culture. the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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