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“My life begins in a small Algerian town called Bab-El-Oued”, Sofia Bouella rudely informs the 550 guests at the annual gala L’Alliance New Yorkheld at the Plaza Ballroom on November 11, 2024 in New York, where Truman Capote held his Black and White Ball in 1966.
©L’Alliance New York
Sofia Boutella, from Algeria to Hollywood
In Algeria, explains Sofia Boutella, her family, “Very liberal, intellectual and creative” encouraging him to be “inquisitive” etc “cheap”. At the age of four, she learned ballet, a rare discipline in Algeria at the time. “My second chapter is my youth in France.” She was ten years old when her parents left the country shaken by civil war. “Leaving was bittersweet – I left so much behind and the adjustment, especially at school, was difficult. “ But France opened the doors to jazz, hip-hop and theatre. Finally came the United States, his adult life, first dance, then cinema. “I met Madonna and danced around the world with her for ten years. I was a tomboy and (Madonna) gave me my first high heels.” “America has given me the ultimate freedom, to be able to be whoever I want, without limits.”adding the actress and the dancer.
Sofia Boutella and Tatyana Franck ©L’Alliance New York
Sofia Bouella, Art Cup 2024
“Sofia Boutella perfectly fits the spirit of L’Alliance New York, until recently known as the French Institute-Alliance Française. “explains Tatyana Franck. “Sofia represents the French language, Africa, Europe, and universal artistic communication, the same thing we try to highlight through our school, our festivals, meetings and events. His life has inspired us all.”
Tatyana Franck took advantage of this fundraising evening for L’Alliance New York to welcome the symbol that the date of November 11 carries in France as in the United States. On this day in 1918, “On Armistice Day, France with the help of the United States made peace, thus cementing Franco-American relations. And today, on November 11, 2024, the New York Federation is committed to freedom, transatlantic communication and French culture.”
Catherine Baumann: “The New York Alliance must be an anchor point”
A number of renowned artists paid tribute to the symbol of this transatlantic dialogue between French cultures and New Yorkers that L’Alliance New York offers by hosting the evening’s guests, including the chef Daniel Boulud, actor Jean Reno, photographers Paloma Picasso and Anne Fontaine, author Anne Berest, artists Prune Noury, Andres Serrano and Elizabeth Colomba, New York art dealer Larry Gagosian, Ambassador of France to the United States Laurent Bili and leading French and American philanthropists including Béatrice Stern, Marina French Kellen, Kinga Lampert, Marife Hernandez and Kalliope Karella.
So, behind the podium where Sofia Boutella accepts her Art Cup, American artist Nina Childress, recently admitted to the Academy of Fine Arts, created a screen of fluorescent colors, a nod to the exhibition of a selection of his exhibition works since L’Alliance New York’s Fall festival, Crossing the Line, opened at his gallery at 22 East 60th Street in Manhattan.
©L’Alliance New York
The dinner was prepared by four historic hands between the dean of the French three-star Michelin Georges Blanc and the French star, the first three-star woman in the United States, chef Dominique Crenn.
Christine and Stephen Schwarzman with Thani Mohamed-Soilihi ©L’Alliance New York
Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Pilier d’or 2024
The co-founder and CEO of Blackstone and his wife, Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, known for their support of the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and the Château de Chambord, received the 2024 Golden Pillar from L’Alliance New York, presented by Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, responsible for La Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi.
©L’Alliance New York
Finally, in the New York spirit of Christmas, musician Martin Solveig made the Trophée des Arts last late into the night by taking control of the turntables at Silencio.
In total, this evening allowed L’Alliance New York to raise over two million two hundred thousand dollars for the benefit of the language school and its cultural scene, “this universal language of art”which Sofia Boutella continued to mention throughout this gala.
2024-11-18 16:43:00
#Alliance #York #gala #honors #actress #Sofia #Boutella
How did the event’s activities help foster support for the local language school and artistic community?
1. What were the main highlights of the Alliance New York gala, according to the article?
2. How did the evening contribute to raising funds for the language school and cultural scene in New York?
3. Who were the notable attendees of the event, and what were their roles in the arts or philanthropy?
4. What was the significance of the Golden Pillar award, and who received it this year?
5. Can you discuss Sofia Boutella’s involvement in the gala as a presenter and her remarks about the importance of art?
6. What was the atmosphere like at Silencio nightclub after the main event with Martin Solveig’s performance?
