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Aix-en-Provence, France
Aix-en-Provence is a lovely city situated in the Provence region of southern France. The home of Paul Cezanne, it is a place of extreme beauty, inspiration and tranquility. The Romans founded it in the 2nd Century B.C. as Aqua Sextiae, which made reference to its thermal springs. Its University was founded in the 15th Century and is home to many old architectural treasures, including fountains, squares, and churches. It is a small city, but is highlighted by its Provencale cuisine and natural beauty.
In May 2008, a group of 23 people – including 20 dancers, a Provencal chef and Cezanne lecturer visited Philadelphia for five days.Marie Odile Chotard, our Aix en Provence liaison, accompanied the delegation and our office arranged for homestays for the entire group, except Ms. Chotard, who stayed at the Courtyard Marriott. Jennifer McGinn met the delegation upon their arrival in Philadelphia.The dancers then attended the IVC First Wednesday Reception and delighted the attendees by arriving in costume, playing music and handing out chocolate that was shipped directly from Aix!The next morning they enjoyed an overview sightseeing tour of the city with Aneta Komandarczyk, also from a SisterCity, Torun.Performances were arranged and the dancers performed for young students at RussellByersCharterSchool.Later that afternoon, they danced in the City Hall Courtyard.The following day, the dancers performed at the IndependenceCharterSchool and to a large lunch-time crowd at the Reading Terminal Market.At every venue, the audience was pleased with their unique performance and excited to learn that they were visiting from Philadelphia’s SisterCity.Our office also arranged for a visit to The Barnes Foundation which they all enjoyed.
Chef Mathieu Durand had an interesting experience in Philadelphia.Some of his activities included a visit to Swenson Arts and Technology School where he cooked for the teachers and students in culinary class, a day and evening spent cooking at Patou Restaurant for a Sister Cities reception/dinner, holding a cooking demonstration at La Cucina in the Reading Terminal Market and shadowing Chef David Jansen at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Mr. Michel Fraisset, Cezanne lecturer, was also very busy in Philadelphia.He attended the IVC First Wednesday Reception, provided a lecture at The Barnes Foundation for the President and docents, attended the dinner the Chef Durand prepared at Patou and gave a lecture to many IVC members and friends of the Sister Cities Program at Bistro St. Tropez.
All local homestay hosts enjoyed the mostly non-English speaking delegation, which included many children.Some hosts have already had reciprocal hospitality in Aix when they visited the dancers they hosted here.
Citizen diplomacy engages citizens in international relations. Meeting counterparts and experiencing everyday American life provides an authentic & more accurate view of the "real" U.S.
