Grand Valley brings French Fête to Grand Rapids

West Michigan residents will be able to enjoy all things French during Fête de la Culture Française, sponsored by area colleges at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art, at 41 Sheldon Blvd. in Grand Rapids, on Saturday, February 21.

French film, French food and wine, an art exhibit of selected French artists, an intensive French workshop, a French marketplace, give-ways and a silent auction are among the planned events. The complete schedule is posted on the Web at www.gvsu.edu/mll/frenchfestival.

The festival organizer, Melanie Kloian, is a French major at Grand Valley State University and lover of all things French. She designed the event for students, educators, and other French enthusiasts to have the opportunity to meet one another, share their passion and enjoy many of the best aspects of French culture.

“I had the idea of creating the festival not only for the students and faculty of Grand Valley but the community as well,” said festival organizer, Kloian, who received support from Grand Valley’s Modern Languages and Literatures Department and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

After receiving the nod of approval, Kloian approached other local schools with distinguished French programs to participate as sponsors including Calvin College, Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College. Other participating sponsors are local, regional and national companies such as Air France.

The festival is free to all students and faculty of the sponsoring schools. General admission for others is $10 for adults, $5 for students with ID, and children under age 12 are free.  For guaranteed admission, reservations are recommended and can be made on the Web site www.gvsu.edu/mll/frenchfestival. Information is also available through Grand Valley’s Department of Modern Languages & Literatures by calling 616-331-3203.

Media may contact festival organizer, Melanie Kloian, at [email protected].