LEWISTON — The Franco-American Collection will present a discussion of holiday traditions and customs from French-speaking countries on three continents. The talk will be in French.

Jean-Claude Redonnet will speak on traditions in France; Rita Dubé will discuss Québec and Franco-American traditions; and Injonge Blandine will speak on Central African holiday customs.

Redonnet is an author, a university professor specializing in Francophonie topics in North America, and was head of the French school of Middlebury College from 1996 to 2003.

Dubé is well-known to Lewiston audiences as the person who spearheaded the transformation of St. Mary’s church into the Franco-American Heritage Center, now The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center, and then was its director for many years.

Injonge Blandine moved her family to Lewiston from Rwanda in 2012. She studied at the University of Vuhovi, speaks numerous African languages as well as French, volunteers with the Gendron Franco Center, and moderates a free French club at the Hillview Resource Center.

There will be light refreshments and a chance to visit the Collection beforehand. The Collection preserves the past and promotes the study of Franco-American culture and history. The talk will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St. The event is free and open to the public.

FMI: usm.maine.edu/franco, 207-753-6545, janet.roberts@maine.edu.

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