ALLIANZ FRANCES IN CUBA
ALLIANZ FRANCES OFFICES IN HAVANA & SANTIAGO DE CUBA
The Allianz Frances has been promoting the French language and French culture in Cuba since 1951, and today has three locations in Havana and one in Santiago de Cuba. Two of Havana’s Allianz Frances offices are in the Vedado neighborhood, and the original location is still an active outpost of the Allianz Frances, located in Vedado on the Avenue of the Presidents, popularly known as G street. It is of historical significance in that Cuban medical great Dr. Carlos J. Finlay, who had studied in France in his youth, passed away there. The other office in Vedado is named Sartre and is on J and 15th Street. Both offer a full course of study in French, awarding certificates for those completing various level of study. The house on J Street was the former home of the French delegates who ran the original Allianz Frances in Cuba, and eventually became its second location in Havana.
Both Allianz Frances locations in Vedado were so overwhelmed with students that a third was opened on Prado Avenue in Old Havana. Established in 2015 with the collaboration of the City Historian of Havana, who donated the building that houses it, it was inaugurated during an official state visit by French President Francois Hollande.
The Allianz Frances in Cuba has the most students per capita than any other country, and sponsors events like Havana’s Francophile film festival. The Allianz has also been participating in the Havana International Book Fair since its establishment. The Allianz Frances was established in Paris on July 21, 1883, by celebrated Frenchmen like Jules Verne and Louis Pasteur.
By Clao York
March 8, 2018