NYU’s Maison Française Hosts Special Events in February

La Maison Française of New York University, located at 16 Washington Mews (at University Place), will host several special events in February, including the Festival of French Writing, a three-day event (Feb. 26-28), with internationally acclaimed French and American writers in conversation. Events are free and open to the public, and take place at La Maison Française, unless otherwise noted. For further information, call 212.998.8750 or visit www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.

A schedule of events follows:

• Tues., Feb. 3, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Le Journal intime: naissance d’une forme d’écriture” by Pierre Pachet, author of Autobiographie de mon père; Devant ma mere. In French.
• Wed., Feb. 4, 7 p.m. Institute of French Studies Colloquium: “Blacks and Blackness in France: a Historical and Sociological Perspective” by Pap Ndiaye, Ecole des Hautes Etudes in Sciences Sociales; author of La Condition noire: Essai sur une minorité française.
• Thurs., Feb. 5, 7 p.m. Concert: “Poetry into Music: Yves Bonnefoy” celebrates The Hudson Review translation issue. World premiere of Canzoni de La grande neige by Mirco de Stefani based on Bonnefoy’s poems. With soprano Elizabeth Dabney and Daniel Ragone, piano. Remarks by Emily Grosholz, translator of La grande neige, and by the composer. Reservations necessary.
• Sat., Feb. 7, 2-7:30 p.m. Conference: “Diderot Today: Literature, Philosophy, and Aesthetics.” Participants include Madeleine Dobie, Columbia; Julie Candler Hayes, Univ. Mass Amherst; Lucien Nouis, NYU; others. Full details at www.nyu.edu/maisonfrancaise.
• Mon. Feb. 9, 7 p.m. Literary Conversation: “French Literature in the Making” with Olivier Barrot. journalist, Un Livre un jour (France 3), in conversation with Eric Fottorino, writer, journalist, and president of the board of Le Monde group. In French, with simultaneous translation available.
• Wed., Feb. 11, 7 p.m. Reading and Conversation: novelist Amelie Nothomb, author of La Sabotage amoureux (Loving Sabotage); Stupeur et tremblements (Fear and Trembling), winner of the Grand Prix de l’Académie Française; other works.
• Wed., Feb. 17, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Froide hospitalité: modernité et lien social au siècle des Lumières” by Lucien Nouis, NYU; author of Compelle intrare: Michel Foucault et l’hérésie à l’âge classique. In French.
• Wed., Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m. Roundtable: “Paris/New York: Expositions, Worlds Fairs, and the International Exchange of Ideas in the Early 20th Century” with Donald Albrecht, Museum of the City of New York; Miriam Basilio, NYU Museum Studies; Jean-Louis Cohen, NYU Institute of Fine Arts; and Shanny Peer, author of France on Display. Moderated by NYU Museum Studies professor Jeffrey Trask.
• Fri., Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Conference: “Adelphiques: Brothers and Sisters in 19th Century French Literature.” Opening remarks by NYU Dept. of French chair Judith Miller. Organized by Claudie Bernard, NYU; Chantal Massol, Univ. of Grenoble; and Jean-Marie Roulin, Univ. de Saint-Etienne.
• Mon., Feb. 23, 7 p.m. Lecture: “Le Rôle de l’Union pour la Méditerranée dans un monde multipolaire” by Michele Gendreau-Massaloux, head, Presidential Commission for Universities, Research, and Professional Training, Union for the Mediterranean. In French.
• Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 26-28 Festival of New French Writing: French & American Writers in Conversation. Participants include: E.L. Doctorow, Marie N’Diaye, Francine du Plessix Gray, Adam Gopnik, Bernard Henri Lévy, Edmund White. Curated by journalist Olivier Barrot and Tom Bishop, NYU. Simultaneous translation will be available. Note venue: NYU Vanderbilt Hall, 40 Washington Sq. South (corner of MacDougal St.). For full details, visit: www.frenchwritingfestival.com.