Inside The Fifth Annual French Heritage Society Book Award Ceremony

Lauren Auricchio, Elizabeth Stribling, and Catherine Poirier

Last week, the New York Chapter of French Heritage Society (FHS) celebrated the winning author of the Fifth Annual French Heritage Society Book Award, Agnès Poirier, for her evocative Notre-Dame: The Soul of France on Thursday, April 7, 2022, at the headquarters of Villa Albertine in NYC.

The program featured a pre-reception, book signing, and discussion with Ms. Poirier moderated by Laura Auricchio, Dean of Fordham College at Lincoln Center, as well as an elegant cocktail reception for all attendees. Judith Roze, Deputy Cultural Counselor of France in the United States, and Elizabeth Stribling, Chairman of FHS and Award Co-Chair, offered welcoming remarks ahead of the discussion. Christian Draz, FHS Board Member and Award Co-Chair, presented Ms. Poirier with the Jefferson Cup and $5,000 prize.

The event was made possible by Co-Chairs Elizabeth Stribling and Christian Draz; the FHS Book Award Steering Committee, Yann Coatanlem, Janet Desforges, Patricia Forelle, and Clydette de Groot; and the New York Chapter Co-Chairmen, Guy Robinson and Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt. A jury comprised of Cheryl Hurley, Anne Poulet, and Bruno Racine chose Notre-Dame: The Soul of France unanimously from a shortlist of five titles that illuminate elements of French cultural or historical patrimony.

Esteemed Guests included: Rene-Pierre Azria, Rosalie Brinton, James Colias, Patricia Cossutta, Denise Decker, Barbara Evans Butler, Jonathan Foster, Michéle Gerber-Klein, Celso Gonzalez-Falla, April Gow, Jennifer Herlein, Brenda Johnson, Helen King, Wolfram Koope, Jesse Kornbluth, Judy McLaren, Michael Massing, Laura Microulis, Tara Milne, Robert and Marie-Claude Myers, John Oden, Egle Rincon, Roberta and Arthur Sandeman Houghton, Kenneth Scheff, Jack Soultanian, Stephanie Stokes, and Marianne Wyman.

French Heritage Society is an American nonprofit organization with ten chapters in the U.S. and one in France. Its central mission is to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to inspire future generations. Now celebrating its 40th Anniversary, FHS has given nearly 650 restoration and cultural grants to properties throughout France and in the U.S. and selected and supported over 500 students from prestigious universities who have crossed the Atlantic for internships at esteemed institutions. Its emergency Notre-Dame Restoration Fund has raised nearly $2.6 million to date.

American philanthropy has a long and storied history in France, and French Heritage Society has played an important role in this special relationship since our founding in 1982. Join us throughout 2022 as we honor forty years of evolution and achievement. In October, celebrations will culminate with an exquisitely curated series of visits and receptions in Paris, including an unforgettable ball at the Petit Palais on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

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