ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ

Celebrating the French Connection

Tuesday, 4 July 2006

The University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ will host a public lecture series from 8-15 July, celebrating Australia's cultural and historical ties with France.

will incorporate three conferences devoted to the French language, society and culture.

Topics include the French-Australian Food and Wine Connections; Daily Life in the ; France and the Legacy of the ; French Utopian Socialism; Travel Writings of the ; and Multiculturalism and Nation Building.

The opening lecture on 8 July will feature a discussion on the similarities and differences between both countries in respect of the multiculturalism question. The Consul General of France in Australia (Sydney), Mr , will provide the French context and South Australia's Minister for Multicultural Affairs, , will give the Australian viewpoint.

Professor of French Studies at the , , will deliver the second lecture on 10 July, discussing the travel journals kept by scientists and officers of the 1802 Baudin expedition.

On 11 July, a talk on the influence of Fourierist figure Arthur Young on ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ's fledging society in the 1840s will be delivered by , Associate Professor of French Studies at the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ. ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ publisher Michael Bollen will also provide his perspective on the influence of some of the more radical European thinkers on ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ's early development, as seen through the press of the time.

British academic , an award-winning historian from , Dublin, will discuss the legacy of France's pyrrhic victory in World War I in a lecture on 13 July. Professor Horne has a long association with South Australia. His father, Colin, was Professor of English at the University for many years.

Professor of History at the , Peter McPhee, will present the 14 July lecture on Daily Life in the French Revolution.

The final lecture, on 15 July, will feature three food and wine connoisseurs - Cath Kerry, Emmanuelle Requin and Fanchon Ferrandi - who will explore the traditions of wining and dining in both countries.

For details about individual lectures, please visit

Contact details