The George Washington University will host a slate of France-themed events this week to commemorate Wednesday’s visit by President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron to the Foggy Bottom Campus.
As part of his administration’s outreach to young people and students, Mr. Macron will host a town hall at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Charles E. Smith Center.
Approximately 1,000 students will attend the town hall, with a majority of the tickets having been made available to GW students through a lottery system. Students will be notified by mid-day on Tuesday if they have been selected. Tickets are complimentary and non-transferable. The town hall will also be streamed live on GW's Facebook page, and there will be overflow rooms in the Marvin Center Amphitheater and Continental Ballooom, among other sites, to watch the livestream.
Mr. Macron will be in the United States for the first state visit of President Donald Trump’s administration.
The events include lectures (some of which require an RSVP), photography and book exhibits at both Gelman Library and the Jacob Burns Law Library and will culminate with the town hall at the Smith Center.
The GW French club will continue the celebration with an afternoon of pétanque, a popular outdoor game played in the south of France, next Wednesday.
Erwan Lagadec, research professor of international affairs, has been heavily involved with the French embassy in bringing Mr. Macron to GW.
“GW, the Elliott School and the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies take transatlantic affairs seriously enough that, in our view, even a high-profile event like the Macron town hall should not stand alone as a one-off opportunity, but should be contextualized,” he said.
“We've worked closely with the French Embassy and the Elysée on this program, and we are excited by the results.“
The full slate of events:
Francophone Africa
Through May 20
Second floor atrium
1957 E St., NW
Free
Photo exhibition featuring the works of photographer Johnette Stubbs.
Rare French Law Books Exhibition
April 23 through April 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jacob Burns Law Library
716 20th St., NW
Free
Selections from the Jacob Burns Law Library’s special collections.
La culture et l'histoire françaises dans les archives [French History and Culture in the Archives]
April 23 through April 27, 10 a.m. to 5 p .m.
7th floor, Gelman Library
2130 H St., NW
Free
Archival selections from the Special Collections Research Center of Gelman Libraries.
France and the United States: The Middle East, Migration and Trade
April 24 at 12 p.m.
Lindner Family Commons, Room 602
1957 E St., NW
Free, RSVP requested
Featuring Joseph Bahout, visiting scholar, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Harvey Feigenbaum, professor of political science and international affairs; and Kimberly Morgan, professor of political science and international affairs.
The Evolution of Urban Politics in France
April 24 at 5 p.m.
Room 213
1957 E St., NW
Free, RSVP requested
Featuring Hilary Silver, professor of sociology, international affairs and public policy and public administration; and Mona Atia, associate professor of geography and international affairs.
Town Hall with His Excellency Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic of France
April 25 at 3 p.m.
Charles E. Smith Center
600 22nd St., NW
Free with lottery entrance; RSVP instructions through GW Infomail
Pétanque and a Picnic
May 2 at 4 p.m.
Square 80
Between 21st and 22nd streets and F and G streets, NW
Free
The French Club invites anyone interested in French language and culture to come together for a spring afternoon of pétanque, an outdoor game similar to bocce.
