The Museum of Work & Culture Celebrates La Francophonie
March-April 2023
Multiple Sites
This March, engage With French Culture During a Series of Programs Celebrating the Month of Francophonie
(WOONSOCKET, R.I.) – The Museum of Work & Culture, a division of the Rhode Island Historical Society, is proud to announce this year’s programming for La Francophonie, a month-long celebration of French language & culture.
7th Annual Poutine Indulgence and Competition
Poutine is back on the menu! Eat your way through Rhode Island and Southern Massachusetts, sampling the best poutines around.
This year’s participating restaurants will offer passport holders one free sample during the month of March. Restaurants include returning favorites Mings in Pawtucket, Friskie Fries in Johnston & Providence, Poutine Peddlers in Taunton and Red’s Kitchen in Seekonk, along with new entrant Black in Woonsocket.
Poutine Passports are $15 or 2 for $25 and will be available for purchase beginning February 3 at shopmowc.com
Ciné-Québec
Thursday, March 2 at 6pm
Museum of Work & Culture; 42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, R.I.
An evening of Québecois films will begin at 6pm with a wine and cheese reception in the MoWC gallery.
At 7pm, attendees will watch and vote on new and exciting short films from Québec currently under consideration by the Rhode Island International Film Festival.
The film that wins the most votes will gain automatic competition entry to the festival.
The evening will conclude with a screening of the feature-length film Alys Robi: Ma Vie en Cinémascope / Bittersweet Memories. $25 per person. Space is limited. For tickets visit shopmowc.com. Presented by the Délegation of Québec in Boston, Flickers: RI International Film Festival, and the Museum of Work & Culture.
Virtual Valley Talks: Visualizing Franco-American Culture Through French-Canadian Folklore
Sunday, March 5 at 1:30pm
Zoom
Folklore holds the artistry of culture, from storytelling to dance to costumes. Bringing together these cultural aspects, we may wonder why they aren’t prevalent among Franco-Americans in contrast to other immigrant groups in the United States. Are Franco-Americans so modernized that these ways of expression through folk costumes and dance are too outdated? How much do French-Canadians and Québécois retain these practices, and is there inspiration to be found within them? Melody Desjardins, writer of the blog Moderne Francos, will look at the history of French-Canadian folklore and how it could apply to Franco-Americans today.
This event is free, but registration is required at
Rhode Island’s Francophonie Flag Raising Ceremony
Thursday, March 23, 3pm
Rhode Island State House; State Room (Second Floor), 82 Smith Street, Providence, R.I.
Join the League of Francophone Organizations of Rhode Island, state leaders and Francophone dignitaries as they gather to celebrate French language and culture in Rhode Island.
Free program.
Salute to Spring ~ Bonjour Printemps
Sunday, April 2, 1:30pm
Museum of Work & Culture; 42 S. Main Street, Woonsocket, R.I.
Join the Museum for its annual Salute to Spring ~ Bonjour Printemps event where visitors will be able to savor samples of poutine from visiting food trucks, enjoy live music from Québécois fiddler Eric Boodman, and be enchanted by family-friendly entertainment from Magic By George.
Guests will also have the opportunity to catch a sneak preview of an exciting new Woonsocket-based novel by author Annick de Bellefeuille and learn the French Canadian tradition of palm braiding.
The event will also feature the announcement of the winner of the 7th Annual Poutine Indulgence and Competition as well as the Museum’s Annual Raffle. Tickets for the event are $25 and are available at
About the Rhode Island Historical Society
The Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s largest and oldest historical organization, is dedicated to honoring, interpreting, and sharing Rhode Island’s past to enrich the present and inspire the future.
Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest.
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org. Follow the RIHS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube