Welcome to Seattle Center
SEATTLE (March 2, 2022) – Seattle Center Festál celebrates the tenth annual Seattle’s French Fest: A Celebration of French-Speaking Cultures on March 20, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., presented by French Education Northwest. The free festival takes place virtually, including a robust program complete with virtual tours. This year’s theme is gastronomy.
“French Fest is a fantastic opportunity to bring a little bit of France and the French-speaking countries to Seattle,” said Executive Director of French Education Northwest Ariane Ogier. “This theme helps show just how important food is to the French culture.”
Seattle’s French Fest expands the representation of Francophone countries this year. Thanks to a partnership with the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle, Canadian Francophone TV personality Frederic Choiniere will serve as master of ceremonies for the day.
The festival draws its inspiration from “International Francophonie Day,” an event organized in more than 100 countries every March 20 to celebrate the diversity of French-speaking cultures, traditions, ideas and dialects.
“French Fest encapsulates many French-speaking countries, giving Seattle communities the opportunity to celebrate and share in being One Seattle together,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Through festivals like French Fest, we continue to embrace the city’s many cultural traditions and customs.”
The festivities will start with a virtual visit of the Goulaine castle near Nantes, organized by the Seattle Nantes Sister City Association. Participants will then have the opportunity to connect with the area’s French schools and organizations through virtual games.
Festival participants can look forward to a variety of cooking demonstration from Seattle-based chefs. There will also be a virtual tour of the Lantern Brewery, a small independent microbrewery and tasting room in Greenwood which focuses on Belgian and French-style beers.
“Festál prioritizes the cultural diversity that makes Seattle what it is today,” said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams. “French Fest is one important piece that makes up the fabric of Seattle Center’s many cultural events.”
All French Fest activities are family-friendly, free of charge and open to all.
About Seattle’s French Fest
French Fest is organized by the nonprofit organization, France Education Northwest, with the support of Seattle Center Festál, the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest, in partnership with the Consulate General of France in San Francisco and the Consulate General of Canada in Seattle.
About French Education Northwest
France Education Northwest (FEN) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization originally founded by people involved in the French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest. FEN aims to familiarize the people of our region, and especially youth, with the diversity and richness of several aspects of French culture. Information on French Education Northwest is available at www.faccpnw.org and www.seattlecenter.com, as well as on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
About Seattle Center Festál
Seattle Center Festál cultivates a deeper understanding of the cultures and ethnic diversity that contribute to the rich vibrancy of the Pacific Northwest. This unique series links together 24 free festivals presented on weekends from February to November, each with its own cultural focus, identity, and range of engaging activities. 2022 commemorates the 25th Anniversary of Festál, ushering in a new era of hybrid programs during this anticipated return to in-person events. Seattle Center Festál is where the world will gather to celebrate the people, the places, the stories, the traditions, and the next 25 years of innovation. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with 24 different community groups and supported by 4Culture, City of Seattle, and Seattle Center Foundation. Festál is also part of the ArtsFund Cultural Partners Network.
About Seattle Center
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center, an active civic, arts, and family gathering place in the core of our region. More than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations which reside on the grounds, together with a broad range of public and community programs, create thousands of events on the 74-acre campus and attract more than 12 million visitors each year. At Seattle Center, part of Uptown Arts & Cultural District and home to Climate Pledge Arena, our purpose is to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. Activities at the Center generate $1.864 billion in business activity and $631 million in labor income.
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Note:
Photos, b-roll, and pre-event/event-day interviews with festival producers, performers, and special guests are available upon request.
Contact:
Meghan McLaughlin, meghan.mclaughlin-c@seattle.gov
