NEW ORLEANS — In celebration of Mois de la Francophonie, the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans is hosting the traveling exhibition “Louisiana French: Preserve & Evolve” throughout March.
Organized by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) with support from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Louisiana, the exhibition highlights the history and ongoing revitalization of Louisiana French and Louisiana Creole (Kouri-Vini). Admission is free and open to the public.
The multilingual exhibition explores Louisiana’s linguistic heritage and the communities working to preserve and strengthen these languages today. Panels feature historical documents, modern cultural expressions and projects supporting language education and revitalization across the state.
Curated by CODOFIL and designed by MakeMade of Lafayette, the exhibition is divided into three sections: examples of written French in Louisiana, current initiatives promoting French and Creole, and an interactive section reflecting on personal language heritage. The final section includes a music video by Louisiana musician Jourdan Thibodeaux.
Most displays are presented in English and French, with select sections also available in Louisiana Creole.
As part of the program, Marguerite Justus of CODOFIL will present a public lecture, “Louisiana French: Preserve & Evolve,” on March 11 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
The exhibition will remain on view through March at the Alliance Française de La Nouvelle-Orléans.