The yearly “Rassemblement”

Every year, Franco American Programs organizes a “rassemblement” or gathering of Franco American artists, writers, and creatives.  This annual event aims to create a culturally supportive space in which members of the Franco-American creative community can share their work.

We at the Franco-American Centre at the University of Maine, Orono are excited to announce our 

RASSEMBLEMENT 2025

Lisa and I are delighted to invite you to our annual gathering.  We both hope that you will join us.

We will gather in person in Orono from April 4-6, 2025. On Saturday morning, April 12 we will hold a virtual gathering.

We are happy to collaborate with the Canadian American Center for an event on April 3, 2025 to begin the festivities!  Jean-Christophe Cloutier will give a talk called, “Big American Writer: The Bilingual Self-Making of Jack Kerouac” at 4pm in the Bangor Room, Memorial Union.

All times in Eastern Standard Time. 

We have arranged a block of rooms at the Hotel Ursa.  The rooms are $119/night, plus tax.  The code for our group rate is FRANCOAM. 

The release date for the block is March 21, 2025.

Tentative schedule

IN-PERSON EVENT in Orono

Thursday, April 3, 2025

4pm: Lecture in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union called “Big American Writer: The Bilingual Self-Making of Jack Kerouac” by Professor Jean-Christophe Cloutier.

Friday, April 4, 2025

5:30pm: Pot-luck Dinner at the Franco American Centre. Bring something if you can, don’t worry if you can’t. There is always more than enough food.

7pm: Jake Michaud and the Franco Femmes Jake Michaud is a MA student in the Intermedia program. For his thesis, he is working with the group of women who meet on Friday for lunch to create a sound quilt.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

9am-12pm: Sharing our work: We will establish this schedule once we get a better sense of who is planning on attending, and who would like to share their work.  

12pm: Lunch

1:30pm-3:30pm: Sharing our work (or if everyone who wishes to present has already presented, a moderated discussion or a walk in the woods)

5pm: Dinner on your own

6:30pm: Book Launch!  We’ll be celebrating the publication of Abby Paige’s new book by the University of Maine Press

8:00pm: Bring your instruments 

Sunday, April 6, 2025

10am-12noon: Debrief and wrap-up (in-person, Orono) — Optional informal discussion to wrap-up the weekend, provide feedback, and say good-byes.

TO ATTEND EITHER GATHERING, PLEASE REGISTER THROUGH THIS LINK. You will receive further information via email, including the full weekend agenda and Zoom links for the virtual Saturday. Registration helps us establish the schedule and prepare for catering. There is no charge for either event. 

Donations are welcome.  They make events like this one possible.

Please register even if you have already emailed or called Lisa or me.

If anyone would like to come but cannot afford a hotel room, please let us know.  We have a small pot of funds that we can use to help.

For assistance or further information, please contact Lisa Michaud at lisam@maine.edu or (207) 581-3789 or Susan Pinette at spinette@maine.edu

We can’t wait to see you!