Celebrate the month of Francophonie with the Museum of Work & Culture

The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, is proud to announce this year’s programming for La Francophonie, a celebration of French language & culture held annually in March.

Kicking off the month is our 7th Annual Poutine Indulgence and Competition! Purchase a Poutine Passport and eat your way through Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, sampling the best poutines around. This year, eight participating restaurants will offer passport holders one poutine sample during the month of March. Check out the restaurant list HERE. Vote for your favorite poutine, traditional and creative, at the end of the month.

Get Your Poutine Passport Now!

Francophonie Programs & Events

Ciné-Québec: Alys Robi: Ma Vie en Cinémascope / Bittersweet Memories

Thursday, March 2, 6pm

Museum of Work & Culture

An evening of Québecois films will begin at 6pm with a wine and cheese reception in the MoWC gallery.

At 7pm, attendees will watch and vote on new and exciting short films from Québec currently under consideration by the Rhode Island International Film Festival.

The film that wins the most votes will gain automatic competition entry to the festival. The evening will conclude with a screening of the feature-length film Alys Robi: Ma Vie en Cinémascope / Bittersweet Memories. Tickets are $25 per person. Space is limited.

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Virtual Valley Talks: Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore

Sunday, March 5, 1:30pm
Zoom
Register Now

Folklore holds the artistry of culture, from storytelling to dance to costumes. Bringing together these cultural aspects, we may wonder why they aren't prevalent among Franco-Americans in contrast to other immigrant groups in the United States.

Are Franco-Americans so modernized that these ways of expression through folk costumes and dance are too outdated? How much do French-Canadians and Québécois retain these practices, and is there inspiration to be found within them? Melody Desjardins, writer of the blog Moderne Francos, will look at the history of French-Canadian folklore and how it could apply to Franco-Americans today.

Rhode Island's Francophonie Flag Raising Ceremony
Thursday, March 23, 3pm
Rhode Island State House, State Room

The public is invited to join the League of Francophone Organizations of Rhode Island, state leaders and francophone dignitaries from New England as they gather to celebrate French language and culture in Rhode Island. Listen to the Children Choir from the French American School of RI and hear about the work of Francophone organizations from our State.  

Salute to Spring - Bonjour Printemps

Sunday, April 2, 1:30pm

Join the Museum for its annual Salute to Spring ~ Bonjour Printemps event where visitors will be able to savor samples of poutine from visiting food trucks, enjoy live music by québécois musician Eric Boodman, and be enchanted by family-friendly entertainment from Magic By George. Guests will also have the opportunity to catch a sneak preview of an exciting new Woonsocket-based novel by author Annick de Bellefeuille and learn the French Canadian tradition of palm braiding. The event will also feature the announcement of the winner of the 7th Annual Poutine Indulgence and Competition as well as the Museum’s Annual Raffle. Delicious pastries courtesy of Wrights Dairy Farm and Bakery will also be served. Tickets for the event are $25 and are available at rihs.org.

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Donate to the Annual Appeal

Please support the Museum of Work & Culture's Annual Appeal & Raffle. For the past 25 years the Museum has brought history to life for thousands of students and visitors from near and far. Please help us make our $30,000 goal by April 1st, 2023.

Raffle tickets can be purchased in-person at the Museum.