French authors on display at NUNU’s

NUNU Arts and Culture Collective here is one of a dozen “French Corners” in the country displaying original or translated French language works under the auspices of the French Embassy in New York,
The embassy’s cultural services department has been signing up independent bookstores across the United States to create special sections, called French Corners, featuring French writers and French literary culture.
At any one of these French Corners, you can find 60 books in English translation and 15 in French.
“It is to plant the French flag in one bookstore in every major city in the United States, other than New York,” an embassy representative said.
Arnaudville might not be a “major city,” but it plays a major role in preserving the area’s French heritage and culture through initiatives by NUNU, the French Consulate in New Orleans, and others. Example of these initiatives include monthly gatherings of French speakers called La Table Française d’Arnaudville, Cinéma Français or French movie nights, and an annual French week called Semaine Française d’Arnaudville, the third installment of which takes place April 14-20.
“Bouki Books already includes selections of culturally relevant books from the UL, Centenary College and LSU presses, so accepting the invitation for NUNU to be a part of this international initiative was a welcome idea that was embraced immediately,” said Mavis Arnaud Fruge, NUNU board member and director of the Jacques Arnaud French Studies.
“Individuals interested in French culture can shop right here in Louisiana for one of these titles and feel comfort in knowing that their purchase is helping to fund current and future cultural exchanges,” she said.
“And, here is a call-out to other French speaking countries involved with or interested in being involved with Louisiana _ we welcome your books and your flags as well,” Fruge said.
Hours for Bouki’s Books and the French Corner at NUNU’s are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.