Acton, MA — Though over 3,500 miles away, France seemed much closer to the Boston suburbs on Thursday, July 12. A group of twenty adult students and friends of French in Acton, the French language school in Acton, gathered at Belle’s Bistro in Westford to celebrate Bastille Day, the French Independence Holiday. The group dined on salade César (Caesar salad), noix de Saint Jacques (scallops), and saumon (salmon), followed by bonbons de glace (ice cream confections).

According to Cynthia Edelman, Director of French in Acton, “Learning another country's language is only one part of ‘speaking that country's language.’ Cultural differences and similarities abound and are often an integral part of communication. At French in Acton, we strive to teach the beautiful French language, but, at the same time, we incorporate cultural events to enhance and enrich the learning process.”

La Fête Nationale Française, France's Independence Day, July 14, is the country's most important holiday. Students of French in Acton have been celebrating it together for four consecutive years. Like the French, they enjoy a good meal, served, bien sûr, with wine, and always followed by a singing of La Marseillaise, the French National Anthem, which has been led with cheer each and every year by Wayland resident, Larry Krakauer.