The Lord Mayor of Cardiff and The Honorary Consul of France in Wales hosted a fundraising reception in support of The Alliance Française de Cardiff and Velindre Cancer Centre.
80 guests recently attended a French evening at Mansion House and enjoyed a Franco-Welsh buffet, wine and French classical music including singing, harp and flute performed by students of Cardiff University School of Music. A wine sampling of the French Centre “Carte des Vins” (Wine Menu) took place and Saturday’s guests were the first to try the wine that the French Centre will offer for their VIP members! Cardiff French centre is due to open in May at 47 Charles Street.
The French Centre also ran an auction – including a French Rugby shirt signed by the 6th Nations French Rugby team and a bottle of Whisky signed by the Prime Minister – as well as a raffle to win champagne and wine offered by Fine Wines Direct.
The £3,000 raised that evening will be shared between the Velindre Cancer Centre and the French Centre. The French centre’s share will invested into the refurbishment of the Centre and in particular the classrooms of the Alliance Francaise de Cardiff an educational and cultural charity dedicated to teaching the French language and spreading the Francophone culture in Wales hosted by the Centre. The charity already offers classes for any age and ability (from beginner to advanced) or need (general French, business, training…). The whole centre will offer a truly authentic French experience, the next best thing to actually going to a French-speaking country!
David Walker, Lord Mayor of Cardiff said: “I was delighted to welcome the Alliance Française to the Mansion House. Their aim is to raise funds for a French Centre in central Cardiff offering a range of cultural as well as linguistic services. I wish them well in providing such an important facility for those of us who love France and are looking to improve our French conversational skills.”
Marie Brousseau-Navarro, Director of the Centre said: ” We were delighted to host our fund raising event together with the Lord Mayor of Cardiff in the grandiose Mansion House. Our French guests were truly taken by the place and had a superb evening. Thank you very much to all who made the evening such a great success.”
