In conjunction with our Cultural Foundation, the Alliance Francaise de Sydney regularly organises book launches and book signings with both French and local talent. These include working with writers and publishers in supporting the release of fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels linked to France and/or French culture and history.
In 2025, our Philo Bistro series brought together an inspiring panel including Martin Juillard, Consul General of France, renowned flutist Jane Rutter, and professional footballer Valère Germain, who shared their unique perspectives on work and life. Our monthly Book Club continued to gather avid readers around contemporary and classic French works, fostering lively discussion and exchange.
2024 was another exceptional year for the Philo Bistro series. Whether exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on the meaning of
life or engaging in dialogue with personalities such as Barbara Santich and Nathalie Morris, each event sparked lively discussions.
We also had the honour of welcoming special guests who broadened our horizons: Simon Fieschi, who shared his moving testimony about life
after the Charlie Hebdo tragedy; Nicolas Pagnol, who brought his grandfather Marcel Pagnol's legacy to life; and Julia Zemiro,
television presenter, comedian and actress.
Another highlight of the year was a discussion with renowned comic book author Christophe Blain, co-writer of the comic book ‘Le Monde sans fin’ (The Endless World).
In 2023, the ‘Philo Bistro’ series, hosted by Olivier Vojetta, continued to grow, with several sold-out events confirming its place in our literary programme. This year's guests included renowned authors Philippe Besson and Camille Laurens, as well as Sophie Beaumont and many others.
Our programme also included a discussion on architecture hosted by Penelope Seidler, an architect whose husband designed the
Alliance's current building, and a prestigious public lecture on Marcel Proust given by Jérôme Bastianelli from the Musée du Quai
Branly in Paris.
In 2022, the Alliance Française Cultural Foundation launched a new cultural initiative that proved highly successful: the ‘Philo Bistro’,
hosted by Olivier Vojetta. These meetings brought together writers, artists and musicians, including Aude Parichot, Suzanne Leal, Magali
Cocconi, Marielle Gonier, Kim Nguyen, Amaury Treguer and Joffrine Donadieu.
This format quickly became a much-anticipated event for our community.
Another literary highlight of the year was François Delvallée's highly informative lecture on Marcel Proust, which offered
participants a fresh perspective on one of France's most famous authors.
In 2021, despite the impact of restrictions on in-person activities, our community of readers and literature lovers remained engaged thanks to a wide range of online events and initiatives.
The annual celebration of La Rentrée Littéraire – the eagerly awaited release of new publications in France, which coincides with the presentation of prestigious literary awards – was greeted with great enthusiasm. Throughout the season, a different award and its nominated titles were highlighted each month. This initiative was enhanced by the launch of the local Hors Concours competition, which invited participants to award a literary prize to a new release from an independent publisher.
Another highlight of the year was our exclusive online conference ‘Interview with the author of Asterix and Obelix’ with Jean-Yves Ferri. This special event offered our audience a unique insight into the creative world of one of France's most beloved comic book series, much to the delight of fans of all ages.
Whilst our Media Centre was closed to the public for the majority of the year, it continued to offer an abundance of online entertainment
for our community to enjoy, particularly during periods of lock-down and social distancing.
Members made the most of their unlimited access to our e-library Culturethèque, which includes countless magazines as they hit news-stands, e-books, comic books, newspapers and more.
Later in the year, in celebration of La Rentrée Littéraire, we hosted a series of online conversations with young author Laure Gouriage, during which she discussed her inspirations, challenges and successes – notably with her first novel La fille du père garnering numerous award nominations.
We also gave our members the opportunity to win a hardcopy of New York Times bestselling author Natasha Lester’s latest book The Paris
Secret.
In 2019, we welcomed a rich and eclectic year in our offering of literary events.
Fiction-enthusiasts were treated to the launch of author Kate Forsyth’s latest novel The Blue Rose, an evocative tale of endurance, love and triumph, set during the turbulent times of revolutionary France the secrecy of Imperial China. Author Tessa Lunney also delivered an absorbing talk following the release of her spy thriller April in Paris, 1921, which saw her discuss her literary inspirations and extensive research.
In addition, we hosted numerous events relating to shared Franco-Australian history. This included an event with award-winning journalist Terry Smyth, as he discussed the unexpected affinity that Joséphine (Empress of France) shared with Australia in his novel Joséphine’s Ark.
In addition, French author Laurent-Frédéric Bollée delivered a fascinating presentation on his critically acclaimed graphic novels Terra Australis and Terra Doloris, inspired by the modern founding of Australia. Notably, author Robert Macklin was welcomed for his release of Castaway, based on the astonishing and little-known story of Narciss Pelletier, a French cabin boy abandoned on the Far North Queensland cost and saved by the local Uutaaingu people, with whom he lived for almost two decades.
For the French-natives and Francophones, they were treated to a talk about the legendary and pioneering French writer Georges Perec. This was presented by Christelle Reggiani (professor at the University of Sorbonne in Paris), who discussed how Perec developed literary constraints which become a principle of his writing, shaped by his own personal experiences of WWII.
We also welcomed a New Caledonia cultural space to its Media Centre, which involved an Inauguration event attended by the Official Representative of New Caledonia to Australia, Yves Lafoy. Guests were invited to discover the hundreds of works from famous New Caledonian authors such as Déd Gorodé, Léopold Hancipan and Paul Wamo.
