BYU’s French Fair to take students on a journey through the francosphere

208

BYU’s French Club invites members and students alike to come see the sights and taste the delicacies of the French-speaking world this Thursday, Feb. 27.

Jared Miller, a French Club member, shows show cases a food representative of the local cuisine of the West Indies at last year’s French Fair. Club members will present cultural, historical and culinary information to attendees again this Thursday night.
Jared Miller, a French Club member, shows show cases a food representative of the local cuisine of the West Indies at last year’s French Fair. Club members will present cultural, historical and culinary information to attendees again this Thursday night.

Each year members of the French Club organize small cultural presentations showcasing a selection of French-speaking countries and regions. BYU students will highlight the traditions and cultures of approximately 20 different regions of the world.

This year’s fair will give some students the opportunity to present for the first time.

Abraham Stone McKay, a 24-year-old French studies major and member of the club will showcase La Loire, a region in the west of France.

“There will be small biscuits, little cookies that are unique to La Loire,” McKay said. “They are called Les Petits Beurres; they are typical of the region. Other than the food I will be focusing on what La Loire is known for as far as its contributions to French culture are concerned.”

In additional to regions of France, students will also focus on a variety of other countries that speak French. Last year Jared Miller, 23, a senior from Rexburg, Idaho, represented Les Antilles (the West Indies) at the fair.

“My presentation included the islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and Saint Martin,” Miller said. “I presented cultural and historical information and shared some local food. This year, however, I will just be presenting Martinique.”

Those who come to the fair have the chance to learn about the different regions, to taste some of the regional delicacies and demonstrate what they have learned by competing in a trivia challenge.

“Participation varies from person to person. Some people want to do English; some people want to talk in French,” Miller continued. “Some people are really interested, and other people don’t seem to care as much. So I just talk to them and gauge how interested they are and then share what I can with them.”

This year’s French Fair will be held at 7 p.m. in room 3220 of the Wilkinson Center. Entrance is free for French Club members and $3 dollars for everyone else.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email