On March 19, 2024, AFC launched the celebrations of the 1000-year jubilee of the cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres! Held at the French Embassy in Washington DC, at the Alliance Française Minneapolis and online, the event marked the launch of a year-long series of online lectures dedicated to the exploration of the cathedral’s architectural marvels, its world-renowned stained glass, magnificent sculptures, and its art, history and culture through the ages.
The event was organized in Washington DC in collaboration with the Embassy of France and Villa Albertine and in Minneapolis by MJ McGregor and Natalia Karczmarczuk of Alliance Française. We had more than 30 people in attendance at the Embassy of France, including scholars, students, donors, and many friends. We had the same at the AF Minneapolis and almost 200 attendees online, despite some technical difficulties.
The event was meticulously prepared at the Alliance Française Minneapolis, with MJ McGregor providing an insightful introduction to the lecture series. Attendees were treated to a buffet luncheon that featured an extraordinary cake featuring by an artwork from Mark McMahon, encapsulating the artistic inspiration of the celebration and the many avenues of creativity drawn by the cathedral.
The Program Highlights were :
Dominique Lallement, President of the American Friends of Chartres, opened the event by welcoming guests and introducing H.E. Laurent Bili, the Ambassador of France in the United States. Ambassador Bili’s remarks paved the way for an engaging discussion on the importance of cultural heritage preservation, embodied by the conservation efforts for Notre-Dame de Chartres.
Mme Anne Embs, Curator from the Regional Directorate for Culture and Communications, joined via video conference from France. She illuminated the cathedral’s historical evolution within the city and its ascension to a monument of cultural heritage.
Monseigneur Philippe Christory, Bishop of Chartres, contributed remotely from France, sharing his perspectives on the cathedral as a living monument that continues to resonate with contemporary times.
Cora Klug–Bern, a graduate student from the University of Washington, bridging the generations, shared her personal connection with Chartres, highlighting the importance of stewardship and adding a touching narrative to the technical and historical aspects of the previous speakers.
The event culminated in a Q&A session, allowing attendees to engage directly and further explore their connections with the cathedral’s rich history. Dominique Lallement concluded the event with remarks on the cathedral’s millennium and announced the upcoming celebrations by the American Friends of Chartres in the DC area and beyond.
This event not only celebrated a significant milestone for the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Chartres but also underscored the importance of preserving cultural heritage. It allowed a deep appreciation among attendees for the architectural, artistic, and historical significance of this iconic monument and sparked joyous gatherings and friendships!
We wish to thank all our partners for this particularly successful and enjoyable event!
