.png)
Dear Members and Friends,
July holds a special place in the hearts of the French. It is the month of our National Day, celebrated all around the world and often,
incorrectly, referred to as "Bastille Day"—a subject I will also come back to on our social media on 12 July. You will have the opportunity
to celebrate our National Day at the Bastille Day Lunch organised by the Honorary Consul on 12 July, followed by the Bastille Day Gala
organised by FACCI on 16 July.
July is also a particularly busy month for the Alliance Française de Brisbane, where the French language, French culture and our community will be more than ever in the spotlight.
Our school continues its momentum with the Winter Workshops, which began on 29 June, and Session 3, which starts on 13 July. For those who are still considering learning French, free trial classes are available for both children and adults.
Our cultural programme is equally full. On 8 July, our CineClub will screen Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, Alain Chabat's masterpiece, brought to life by a truly stellar cast.
The second half of the month will continue with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra's performances on 17 and 18 July of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé, accompanied by a percussion concerto by the Australian composer James MacMillan. Our members enjoy a special discount for the performance on 17 July.
From 24 to 26 July, Le Festival will, of course, return. The Alliance Française de Brisbane will take part by presenting a programme of French animated films for children and teenagers. On Sunday at 11:30 am, I will also have the pleasure of giving an interactive presentation on the language spoken by young French people today.
From 30 July to 8 August, the New Farm Queer Film Festival will once again showcase French cinema with four French films, including the outstanding and highly anticipated Jim Queen. As last year, our members enjoy discounted tickets across the entire programme, and the French films will be introduced by Joe Hardwick, Pauline Ferté or myself.
Please also save the dates of 29 and 30 August for Les Cris des Fleurs at the Thomas Dixon Centre, a magnificent creation by New Caledonian choreographer Sthan Kabar-Louët. Our members also enjoy a special discount.
Life at the Alliance is also marked by wonderful news and farewells that deserve to be acknowledged. First of all, we warmly welcome little Vanina, daughter of Pauline Ferté, who was born on 13 May, and extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Pauline and her entire family.
We would also like to say a warm farewell and a heartfelt thank you to Céline who, after ten years in the administration of the Alliance Française de Brisbane, has decided to take a new path. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of our two interns, Pauline and Arnaud. Over the past six months, they have made a significant contribution to modernising the image of our Alliance, particularly across our social media platforms, and we wish them every success in the next stage of their journey.
Thank you, as always, for your loyalty and your invaluable support. Finally, I encourage you to continue helping the Alliance thrive beyond its walls: every like, comment, share or repost of our content on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok helps increase our visibility. You are the Alliance Française de Brisbane's greatest ambassadors, and it is also thanks to you that the French language and French culture continue to shine ever more brightly throughout our city.
Jean-Philippe Bottin
Director
Chers membres, chers amis,
Le mois de juillet occupe une place particulière dans le cœur des Français. C’est le mois de notre fête nationale, célébrée partout dans le monde et souvent appelée, à tort, « Bastille Day » — un sujet sur lequel je reviendrai d’ailleurs sur nos réseaux sociaux le 12 juillet. Vous pourrez célébrer notre fête nationale lors du déjeuner organisé par le Consul Honoraire le 12 juillet, puis au Bastille Day Gala organisé par la FACCI le 16 juillet.
Juillet est aussi un mois particulièrement riche pour l’Alliance Française de Brisbane, où la langue française, la culture et notre communauté seront plus que jamais à l’honneur.
Notre école poursuit son élan avec les Winter Workshops, qui ont débuté le 29 juin, et la Session 3, qui commencera le 13 juillet. Pour celles et ceux qui hésitent encore à franchir le pas, des cours d’essai gratuits sont proposés aux enfants comme aux adultes.
Notre programme culturel s’annonce lui aussi particulièrement dense. Notre Ciné-Club diffusera, le 8 juillet, Astérix : Mission Cléopâtre, le chef-d’œuvre d’Alain Chabat porté par une véritable pléiade d’acteurs.
La seconde quinzaine du mois se poursuivra avec le concert du Queensland Symphony Orchestra, les 17 et 18 juillet, qui interprétera Daphnis et Chloé de Ravel, accompagné d’un concerto pour percussion de l’Australien James MacMillan. Nos membres bénéficient d’un tarif préférentiel pour la représentation du 17 juillet.
Du 24 au 26 juillet, Le Festival fera bien sûr son grand retour. L’Alliance Française de Brisbane y participera en présentant un programme de films d’animation français pour enfants et adolescents. Le dimanche à 11h30, j’aurai également le plaisir d’animer une présentation interactive consacrée au langage des jeunes Français d’aujourd’hui.
Du 30 juillet au 8 août, le New Farm Queer Film Festival mettra cette année encore le cinéma français à l’honneur avec quatre films français, dont l’excellentissime et très attendu Jim Queen. Comme l’année dernière, nos membres bénéficient d’un tarif préférentiel sur l’ensemble de la programmation et les films français seront présentés par Joe Hardwick, Pauline Ferté ou moi-même.
À noter et à réserver dès à présent : les 29 et 30 août, au Thomas Dixon Centre, Les Cris des Fleurs, magnifique création du Néo-Calédonien Sthan Kabar-Louët. Nos membres bénéficient également d’un tarif préférentiel.
La vie de l’Alliance est aussi faite de belles nouvelles et de départs qui méritent d’être salués. Nous souhaitons tout d’abord la bienvenue à la petite Vanina, fille de Pauline Ferté, née le 13 mai, et adressons tous nos vœux de bonheur à sa maman ainsi qu’à toute sa famille.
Nous adressons également un chaleureux au revoir et un immense merci à Céline qui, après dix années passées à l’administration de l’Alliance Française de Brisbane, a décidé de prendre un autre chemin. Enfin, je tiens à saluer le travail remarquable de nos deux stagiaires, Pauline et Arnaud. Pendant six mois, ils ont largement contribué à moderniser l’image de notre Alliance, notamment sur les réseaux sociaux, et nous leur souhaitons le meilleur pour la suite de leur parcours.
Merci, comme toujours, pour votre fidélité et votre précieux soutien. Enfin, je vous encourage à continuer de faire vivre l’Alliance au-delà de ses murs : chaque « j’aime », commentaire, partage ou relais de nos contenus sur LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram ou TikTok contribue à accroître notre visibilité. Vous êtes les meilleurs ambassadeurs de l’Alliance Française de Brisbane, et c’est aussi grâce à vous que la langue et la culture françaises rayonnent toujours davantage dans notre ville.
Jean-Philippe Bottin
Directeur
Bonne lecture !
.png)
.png)
There's still time to enrol in two of our winter workshops: French Pronouns Made Easy (A2-B2) and Revision B1
Grammar
.png)
Session 3 is right around the corner!
Enrol this week and get a 5% earlybird discount.
See you back in class soon!
Our free trial classes give children a chance to discover the language through play, stories, songs, games, and interactive activities—while
you can see whether our program is the right fit.
.png)
Come try French for free! 🇫🇷✨
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some French, we’re running classes at beginner and intermediate levels for adults.
Join us for Alliance Française de Brisbane’s next Cinéclub screening at SAE !
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra
Directed by Alain Chabat
It's back in 52 BC. That's right, BC. Although Gaul isn’t totally overrun, Cleopatra’s Egypt is under the yoke of the Roman Empire. What’s
worse is that Cleopatra, that dame with the big nose, has had the good sense to choose Caesar as her boyfriend. Caesar is the Emperor
of the Greatest of All Peoples. Or so he says.
Screening Details:
When: Wednesday 8th July 2026 | 6pm
Where: SAE University College, Cnr Jane Street & Riverside Dr, West End
English Subtitles: YES
Run time: 1 hour 47 mins
FREE
.png)
Led by some of the foremost creative leaders of French Baroque music and movement, Springboard Opera presents the Queensland premiere of The Descent of Orpheus by Charpentier. Here you’ll find a rich tapestry of period dance set next to storytelling for a modern audience, and an orchestra comprised of authentic period instruments ready to transport you into the rich sounds of Baroque Opera. Presented in the unique Grand on Ann in the Masonic Memorial Centre’s Great Hall, it provides a historical setting for our emerging artists to make the opera their own.
This event is proudly supported by Brisbane City Council.
Event Details:
The Descent of Orpheus by Charpentier
Friday 10th July 7pm and Saturday 11th July 2pm
The Grand on Ann, 311 Ann St, Brisbane City
📅 Sunday 12 July 2026 🕕 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Every year, France celebrates its National Day with passion, colour and a great sense of togetherness. This year, Brisbane does the same.
The Consulate of France in Brisbane warmly invites you to our Bastille Day Lunch, a joyful afternoon of French cuisine, live music and warm
company. Come as you are: French, francophile, or simply curious. All friends of France are welcome. 🇫🇷
.png)
Featuring Voices of Birralee & Claire Edwardes
Join Queensland Symphony Orchestra for a celebration of French composer Maurice Ravel at Ravel & MacMillan on 17
and 18 July at the QPAC Concert Hall. At the centre of the concert is Ravel’s stunning Daphnis
and Chloé featuring
full choir with Voices of Birralee and an expansive percussion section. Often called his magnum opus, this
sweeping ballet score is loved for its shimmering harmonies and luminous orchestration. The concert also features James
MacMillan’s Veni,
Veni, Emmanuel, performed
by renowned Australian percussion soloist Claire Edwardes. This one movement percussion concerto pulses with a
heartbeat that underpins the entire piece, as MacMillan weaves a soundscape of marimba, congas, gongs and more. Led by guest
conductor Jaime Martín, this will be an evening of sonic wonder not to be missed.
17 & 18 July 2026 7.30pm
Concert Hall, QPAC
Le Festival transforms Brisbane into a vibrant French Pique‑Nique, filled with flavours, music and open‑air joy. Entirely volunteer‑led, it stands as the largest French festival of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, offering an authentic, sun‑drenched celebration of culture, community and the French art de vivre.
Event details
Roma Street Parkland, Brisbane City
Friday 24 July (5pm–9pm)
Saturday 25 July (9am–9pm)
Sunday 26 July (9am–5pm)
-(1).png)
Alliance Francaise is proud to support the 5th New Farm Queer Film Festival (NFQFF). From July 30 – August 8, the festival will be held at New Farm Cinemas and will present premiere screenings of award-winning films from around the world, including titles direct from Cannes.
The Festival will be featuring four French films in the program including two new releases: Jim Queen (2026) and Enzo (2025), as well as two restrospective films: Stranger by the Lake (2013) and Anatomy of Hell (2004).
The Silent Cry of Flowers is a contemporary dance creation from New Caledonia, performed by nine dancers. The performance pays tribute to people fleeing war across the world.
Blending raw emotion, poetic imagery and powerful movement, the work explores resilience, exile and hope, transforming the wounds of the world into a powerful expression of life, humanity and beauty.
Choreographer: Sthan Kabar-Louët
When: 29 & 30 August
Where: Thomas Dixon Centre
.png)
Join us for a friendly and informal book club... tout en français! This month, we will be reading:
Au Bonheur des Dames
by Emile Zola
Friday 10 July at 6pm
At Alliance Française de Brisbane
Purchase the book, book your spot and get reading!
Members only event.
We would like to welcome our new Secretary, Valentin de Gavelle de Roany, and two new Committee Members, Catherine de Vos and Claudia Baumann. We look forward to the valuable expertise and contribution they will bring to Alliance Française de Brisbane.
We also say a fond farewell to two exceptional Committee Members, Shiao Ping and Dr. Joe Hardwick. We are sincerely grateful for their commitment and the time they have generously given to supporting the French community in Brisbane. As Shiao Ping leaves Brisbane and Dr. Hardwick concludes nine years of dedicated service, we thank them both for their invaluable contributions and wish them every happiness in the future.
We are also saying goodbye to Celine, who, after 10 wonderful years with Alliance Française de Brisbane, has decided it's time for a new chapter. Starting in Reception before becoming our Course and Administration Officer, Celine has been a valued member of our team and made a lasting contribution to our community. We thank her for everything she has contributed over the past decade and wish her every success in what comes next.
.png)
And last but not least, our interns, Pauline and Arnaud, are returning home to France after compleing 6 months at Alliance Francaise de Brisbane. It has been an absolute delight having them in the office. They've brought enthusiasm, creativity and a fresh perspective to AFB. We thank them kindly for their contributions to the French Film Festival, our social media, and everything in between.
.jpg)
French-speaking and bilingual professionals are highly sought after across a wide range of sectors including skilled trades, healthcare,
tourism, education, IT, and more! Whether you’re looking to gain international work experience, advance your career, or immerse yourself in a
unique multicultural environment, Canada has opportunities waiting for you.
International Experience Canada (IEC) offers multiple pathways for young adults aged 18–35 from partner countries, including Australia and New Zealand. Choose from the Working Holiday, Young Professionals, or International Co-op programs and enjoy the opportunity to work in any job, for any employer and in any location, and travel across Canada, including the French speaking province of Quebec, for up to two years.
Speak French at NCLC level 5 (approximately CEFR B1) or higher? The Francophone Mobility Program could be an excellent option for you. With no age limit and no citizenship restrictions for eligible French speakers, it provides a flexible and accessible pathway to work in Canada and build valuable international experience.
Ready to start your Canadian adventure? Join our mailing list to receive invitations to employer-focused webinars, pre-departure information sessions, and the latest updates on working and living in Canada!
.png)
22nd of June to the 26th of July 2026
The So France - So Good campaign aims to showcase French cuisine and gastronomy in Australia by promoting its products, expertise, and ambassadors.
The embassy of France in Australia will be sharing French recipes and French food events across Australia on their website.
If you are part of the French gastronomy industry in Australia as a restaurateur, importer, entrepreneur, chef, or influencer, join the campaign!
.png)
.png)
À bientôt !
L'équipe de l'Alliance Française de Brisbane
