On Oct. 25, 2006, His Excellency Craig Roberts Stapleton, United States Ambassador to France hosted a reception at his Paris residence with a similar delegation from Lafayette, Louisiana to officially announce in France the 2007 celebration.

The “Hero of Two Worlds,” as he came to be known for his championing of human rights and liberty in both countries, was born in 1757 in Chavaniac, in the Auvergne Region. The instrumental role he played in the American Revolutionary War, in which he voluntarily served, and his lifelong friendship with General George Washington will be highlighted during the many special events planned for “L’Année La Fayette 2007: the Spirit of the Marquis.”

Located in southwest Louisiana, the City-Parish of Lafayette is recognized as the “Heart of Acadiana,” an eight-parish region with strong historical and cultural ties to its French heritage. For several decades, a tremendous effort has been underway to reestablish the region’s ancestral cultural and linguistic ties.

During the year 2007, several trips to France are planned, entitled “Sur les Traces du Marquis – In the Footsteps of the Marquis,” enabling history buffs and avid travelers to follow the trail blazed by this heroic figure. To familiarize American people with “The Hero of Two Worlds,” the International Center of Lafayette will collaborate with Air-France/Delta, Maison de France and several tour operators and travel agents, to offer a very special trip to France on several dates between May and October 2007. This once in a lifetime trip will include special events, and visits not available to the general public, including participation in La Belle Journée in Langeac, the reenactment of the arrival of Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier as the newly appointed Marquis de La Fayette to the Marquisat of Langeac in Auvergne; a special reception at the Chateau de Vollore; a ceremony at the tomb of the Marquis de La Fayette and his wife, Mrs. de Nouailles at the private cemetery of Picpus in Paris; a special lecture and ceremony at the site where La Fayette’s frigate, L’Hermione, is presently being rebuilt in the western port of Rochefort, etc.

The City-Parish of Lafayette has been joined by approximately 75 partner organizations on the local, regional, national and international levels. Local cultural organizations, museums and performing arts groups all plan to host events in honor of the Marquis de La Fayette. Concerts, lectures, exhibitions, theatrical productions, school exchanges and contests, thematic evenings, and historical reenactments are all featured on the diverse program. Music students and professors from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are rehearsing music from La Fayette’s time to present at events during 2007.

Many of the Mardi Gras krewes in southwest Louisiana will adopt the Marquis de La Fayette as their theme, or showcase aspects of the Marquis’ life during their 2007 balls. Even the Mardi Gras celebration in Washington, D.C. will feature the Marquis de La Fayette, whose role in the Revolutionary War led to the foundation of the United States government, whose full-length portrait hangs opposite George Washington’s in the Chamber at the U. S. House of Representatives.

Myriad educational events are also planned, including several lecture series, both at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and throughout the community, with renowned historians and invited speakers from both the U.S. and France. The Lafayette chapter of the Alliance Française plans a bilingual lecture series, illustrating southwest Louisiana’s French roots and heritage.

Both the Louisiana Social Studies Fair, and the American Association of Teachers of French convention will showcase the life of the Marquis de La Fayette.

The steering committee for “L’Année La Fayette 2007: the Spirit of the Marquis” is determined to ensure that no student of any age is left out of the commemoration. There will be essay contests for children of all ages; the Children’s Museum of Acadiana will host an interactive exhibition on navigation in the 18^th century, with a focus on the rebuilding of the Marquis de La Fayette’s frigate L’Hermione, and the many crafts that were involved in the construction and rigging of ocean going vessels at the time.

Both the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution are involved in the educational aspects of the commemoration, as well.

Among the popular arts, quilting will be featured, with an international exhibition of handcrafted quilts from all over the United States and around the world. The themes are “La Fayette: Hero of Two Worlds” and “La Fayette and Washington: an Enduring Friendship and Legacy.” This event has attracted entries from Iowa, California, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York and Louisiana; and 8 countries: Canada, the U.K., France, Belgium, Finland, Germany, and Hungary. Hosted by the large local quilting guild, Quilters’ Guild Acadienne, the event will feature tours and an outdoor quilt airing in the neighboring city of St. Martinville, Louisiana for the visiting quilters.

For further information, please visit the website www.marquisdelafayette2007.com, contact Le Centre International at (337) 291-5474 or e-mail amorgan@lafayettegov.net.