French Night: A Community Celebration of Francophone Culture

More than 300 people turned out at Amherst Regional hHigh School (ARHS) on January 10 for French Night, the school’s annual celebration of Francophone culture. The student-organized celebration continued a decade-old tradition at the school. Community members gathered in the cafeteria to experience a blend of cultural student performances, delicious food, and community engagement.. Students in French classes, demonstrated their commitment to fostering cultural appreciation and understanding at ARHS. The event was organized entirely by members of the ARHS French Club.

What made French Night distinctive was the students’ highlighting the differences between Francophone cultures and  traditional European culture. From the diversity of their performances in the cultural show to the variety of the evening’s impressive  menu, the organizers aimed to create an inclusive and diverse experience that truly reflected the richness of the French-speaking world. The cultural show, potluck, and contributions from local businesses, including the generous catering from Amanouz Café in Northampton, made the event a vibrant and memorable occasion.

Firoza Jamaji, an ARHS parent said of the event, “The French dinner was a wonderful night of French culture with exceptional performances by the students and delicious Moroccan food. The atmosphere was one of a party in a beautiful decorated room and the event was well organized. I really enjoyed the talent there, such the students that played music, sang songs, and read poetry.”

Professor Elsa Petit, of the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture said, “I’m a native French speaker, and after years in Amherst, this is my first time attending the Francophone dinner. It was more than just a meal; it brought the Amherst community together. Meeting high school students and visiting the high school left me with great confidence in our high school community of students and their teachers!”