Ambassador inaugurates in Paris suburbs Franco-American exchange program on mural art
September 19, 2009
Martin Luther King Mural - DOS photo
Ambassador Rivkin and Ms. Tolson were the guests of honor of the Mayor of Villiers-le-Bel at the inauguration of the first mural achieved within a Franco-American artistic and educational exchange program on mural art. Approximately 200 guests attended this special event at Martin Luther King Middle School, in the presence of local officials, including Culturesfrance director Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, the Vice President of Val d’Oise local council, the high school headmaster, students and inhabitants who participated in the project, and local residents.
This initiative is part of an innovative program of art exchange between Philadelphia and three Paris suburbs:Villiers-le-Bel, Bondy. These murals facilitated by artists are the creations of members of local neighborhoods young and old, working together to envision their community and their hopes for the future. This first Ambassadorial visit to a diverse and underserved Paris suburb was perceived as a strong signal and garnered a wide media coverage: AFP, France Inter, Rue 89.com, LCI, France 3, RTL, Europe 1.
