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The library is proud to announce the first talk in the Spring 2019 Speaker Series – Explorations in American Culture.

In honor of International Women’s Day two remarkably accomplished women, Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier, will be talking about their new, critically-acclaimed English translation of Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex,” sixty years after its initial publication.

Both women are professors, political activists, writers and intellectuals who have worked together on an astonishing variety of projects. They met while attending Douglass College (Rutgers University) in the 1960s and have been friends and working partners ever since. They have both lived in France for over 40 years, teaching literature and American civilization and writing English grammar and other books for French speakers. In the 70s, they both studied and got degrees in linguistics, one at the university of Vincennes, and the other at Nanterre, in Paris. They both had long and active teaching careers at Sciences Po. They’ve published a series of grammar books, “My English is French”; a video series, “Magic English” for children; “Focus on American Democracy” explaining the American system of government, and several French cookbooks on American food. They also pursued many translation projects, from French to English, covering topics such as social science, art, and feminist writings.

This talk is free and open to the public. No reservations necessary, but seating is limited. The Speaker Series has been made possible with the support of the Embassy of the United States of America, France.

Come along and bring your knitting,

Have a natter while you’re sitting,

Or learn to knit with wool provided,

Needles loaned and stitches guided.

Knitted garments are très chic,

So be in vogue and start this week.

Knit and Natter is a free activity, open to all library members. No need to reserve, just come and enjoy! If anyone has some extra wool please bring it in. The Knitting group has a project knitting twiddle muffs and are looking for bits and pieces of washable wool.

This is a special moment when the community comes together to talk about anything and everything (in English of course!) over a cup of coffee or tea. Coffee House is free and open to all library members. Just drop by, no need to reserve!

The Big Quiz is back for the 9th consecutive year! For heaven’s sake, don’t miss out on the fun!

Note the start time, 2 pm… yes, best to be on time! There will be questions, but they will be in all sorts of shapes, sizes and challenges. Wine, coffee, tea, snacks and cakes will be available all afternoon. All this for just 12 euros a head with all proceeds going to the library for its fundraising. Remember to bring your English-speaking French friends.

Book your place at the front desk as soon as you can or simply send an email by clicking here!

The rules: Teams of 6….6 heads are better than one ! Prizes for the winning team. Teams are color coded so we recommend that you wear the colors of your team’s name ! Come along and enjoy the fun, the friendship and the laughter!

Treat yourself to an afternoon of a collective reading of Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew”. This activity consists of watching a BBC production on DVD and then reading relative scenes. This is a great activity for lovers of language and fans of the great wit. The activity is free for library members. Please sign-up by emailing group leader John Barritt here.

Come along and bring your knitting,

Have a natter while you’re sitting,

Or learn to knit with wool provided,

Needles loaned and stitches guided.

Knitted garments are très chic,

So be in vogue and start this week.

Knit and Natter is a free activity, open to all library members. No need to reserve, just come and enjoy! If anyone has some extra wool please bring it in. The Knitting group has a project knitting twiddle muffs and are looking for bits and pieces of washable wool.

This is a special moment when the community comes together to talk about anything and everything (in English of course!) over a cup of coffee or tea. Coffee House is free and open to all library members. Just drop by, no need to reserve!

“Books and Tea” is a monthly meeting for bookworms and tea drinkers. Bring a book you’ve really enjoyed, talk about it and pass it on! The group meets from 2 to 3:30 at the tea shop in town called “Les Casse-Croûte de Suzy”. No need to sign up, just come and enjoy!

Do you have a passion for photography? Would you like to take your photographs to the next level?

Join the library’s Photography Club! Share and exchange with other aspiring photographers and even go on photo shoots together (in English of course!). Learn more about improving your technique, framing your shots, choosing your subject or even understanding the terminology (aperture, shutter speed, iso, etc.).

This activity is free and open to library members. Meetings are once a month in the afternoon, from February to June, either at the library or at a predetermined photo shoot location. Please attend regularly.

The first meeting is Thursday, February 28^th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Future meeting times will be determined as a group. The club is led by Pol Corvez, professional photographer and library volunteer, Peter Bolos, photographer and member of staff, and Annick Gendron, aspiring photographer and library volunteer.

Sign-up at the front desk by email info@ellia.org or by phone 02 41 24 97 07.

Come join the Drama Club which is open to adults and university students, with or without acting experience. It will consist of miming, improvising, and acting out published works of theater, such as sketches and plays.

Meetings will take place at the library twice a month (except during school holidays) on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please attend regularly on the following dates: February 27th, March 13th, March 27th, April 3rd, April 24th, May 15th, May 22nd, June 5th and June 12th.

This activity is open to library members, the cost is 90€ for the 2018-2019 school year. Sign up at the front desk. Take the stage and break a leg!