My dear francophiles, francovorous and francophageous friends, Albertine would probably not mind if I took the liberty of calling her Titine. It’s a bit familiar, and I’m pretty sure that Proust would be a little bit embarrassed, after all he created the character that inspired all this, but there is something extremely cool happening with the new artist residency program that just started in the U.S.

A program called Villa Albertine…

In our next episode of Rendez-Vous D’Amérique, we have a long story that will tell you all about Villa Albertine. Just know that it’s an ambitious cultural residency program for more than 80 artists, spread over 10 cities in America, that will last all year.

A program that’s really ambitious, but at the same time more than necessary for the time we live in.

First of all, after these more or less 2 years of isolations, our countries needs to rediscover each other. 2 years is a long time to be kept apart. Of course, with the reopening of the borders on November 8^th, we will rediscover each other, and we will finally have the ability to see and talk to each other without the need for a video screen. We will finally have the ability to be with each other in real life, to share our lives and our cultures with each other. And that is precious…

The other reason has more to do with recent events. We know that the Franco-American relationship is something solid, that started with the birth of America itself and that has never faltered. But that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be solidified at every opportunity. The recent “submarine crisis” has shown that anything could happen, and that even the most solid of ties could be put to the test by a political or economical challenge. So our relationship must be stronger than the “official” links between our two countries.

And to establish a relationship between 2 countries that doesn’t depend on the politics or economics of the moment, there is only one weapon: culture.

The ties that bind our artists, our thinkers, and our creative people must be stronger than any commercial contract or diplomatic efforts.

In our story, the director of the Writers Guilds Foundation, Katie Buckland, who participates in Villa Albertine through the program Boulevard Des Series, explains how important it is to mix our stories.

I would go even further than she does to say that mixing stories, music, painting, architecture, or any art coming from France and the United States is essential. It’s creating the cement that will forever solidify the Franco-American relationship, despite everything.

For this program, every initiative is welcome.

For this program, we say: “Merci Titine”!

To learn more about French filmmakers in America, tune in to Rendez-vous d’Amérique on TV5MONDE USA. Click here for more information.

Exploring cultural diversity through film, art, and so much more, Rendez-vous d'Amérique invites you on a journey to discover Francophone culture in America. Your host on this cultural experience is Didier Allouch - reporter, cinephile, and a familiar face on the red carpet. Click here to learn how you can subscribe to TV5MONDE USA and never miss an episode!