2011
May 13

Focus: Culture
Paris in the Springtime Gala featured the works of Pierre Marie Brisson with a special guest appearance by the artist, a coveted silent auction and poetry performances featuring Emily Thornton Calvo and Stella Vinitchi Radlescu. Funds raised from the event helped to fund the Paris Committee's Sister School Abroad initiatives.

June 21

Focus: Culture
Make Music Chicago is a one-day music festival held on the first day of summer that is for all ages. The music event is celebrated by over 110 countries and 460 cities around the world. Inspired by France’s “Fête de la Musique”, this year marked the 30th anniversary of the country's national musical holiday. Highlights included a video message from Lyric Opera Creative Consultant Renée Fleming and performances from over 100 different musicians and groups. Make Music Chicago was celebrated in various locations throughout the city. This program was free and open to the public, presented in partnership with Rush Hour Concerts, the Consulate General of France and many more.

December

Focus: Social Services
The City of Paris hosted the 2011 Paris/Chicago Social Services Exchange delegation December 5 -11.  The goal, as in the first conference held in Chicago in 2010, was to improve social services in both sister cities through dialogue about best practices.  Professional and personal relationships between Paris and Chicago were strengthened through the week’s interactions, most notably when the delegation was hosted in City Hall by Deputy Mayor Pierre Schapira, in Renee Johnson’s home and also in the home of Geneviève Gueydan.

 

2010
January 29

Focus: Culture
Blind French Marathoner Michael Le Besnerais presented a letter of greetings at L'Hotel de Ville from Mayor Daley to Paris Mayor Delanoe. Le Besnerais, who is blind, was the guest of honor at the annual French Runner's Reception hosted by CSCI Paris Committee for the hundreds of French Runners who participate in the marathon each year.

February

Focus: Education
Lincoln Park High School welcomed twenty students and two teachers from Louis Le Grand High School from Paris. The exchange allows students to focus on common threads in literature, art, architecture and history that have influenced the respective cities.  Lincoln Park students will travel to Paris during Spring Break.

February 26

Focus: Government
War and Peace: A Night of International Relations.  A French Delegation of emerging leaders to the United States participated in an evening of cross-cultural dialogue on diversity featuring a panel discussion moderated by: Illinois State Representative William Burns.

May 19

Focus: Sports
The Chicago Fire welcomed Legia Warsaw, Paris Saint-Germain and Red Star Belgrade for the first-ever Chicago Sister Cities International Cup at Toyota Park.

April 12

Focus: Sustainability
Conference in Paris on “The Greening of America: An Opportunity for Europe”. This program is part of our strategy to provide to French audiences a better understanding of the various aspects of US environmental policies.  Commissioner Suzanne McKenna represented Chicago. In addition, the commissioner met with officials from the City of Paris and presented on Chicago’s environmental policies to a large audience. 

September 9

Focus: Culture
Bank of America presents “Made in Chicago” exhibit in Paris at the Mona Bismarck Foundation, the former home of the Count and Countess Bismarck. The opening reception included guests such as the U.S. Consul General in Paris, assorted dignitaries such as Mayors, the French equivalent of Congressmen, a former Secretary of the Interior, and many others.

October 8

Focus: Sports
The Paris Committee of CSCI was proud to host their annual “French Runners Reception” on October 8, honoring the French runners participating in the Chicago Marathon.  Over 300 athletes and supporters enjoyed watching the video from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon 2009. 

November 1

Focus: Education
A joint exhibit featuring the photography of ten youth from Altgeld Gardens in Chicago and ten youth visiting from La Courneuve in Paris opened at the Richard J. Daley Civic Center. Since April 2009, when the project was initiated, students have developed their skills, and shared their work on a common website. This Chicago exhibit marks the first collective exhibit and exchange between the Chicago and French participants. Chicago welcomed ten French participants from La Courneuve October 25-November 2.  Chicago youth will visit France in April/Spring 2011.

November 6-13

Focus: Social Services
Paris Social Services exchange and conference was one of the first official CSCI social service exchanges to improve social services in our global community.  Nine Parisian social service professionals discussed their Chicago experience and featured a Chicago and Paris panel discussion on "What Can We Learn from Each Other”.  Topics that were discussed include common social challenges and best practices to address the needs of children and youth.

 

2009
Spring

Focus: Education
Ten students from Abraham Lincoln Elementary School traveled to Paris and students from Lysee Henry IV visited students in Chicago.

Focus: Education
Lincoln Park High School students traveled to Paris to attend classes at their Sister School, took guided tours of the city and attended cultural events.

April

Focus: Education
Lakeview High School teacher Donna Chen took students to visit their Sister School in Paris.

Focus: Education
Lincoln Park High School students and Paris Committee members traveled to Paris to cheer on the Chicago runners in the Paris Marathon and meet with the Head of Office of International Relations at the Paris Board of Education.

April 2

Focus: Education
Paris Committee Member David Reithoffer traveled to France for the Paris Marathon to support Chicago's bid for the 2016 Olympics and Paralympic Games. On April 2, he was featured on French television as part of a French expatriate from Chicago segment.

April 24

Focus: Government
The Honorable Pierre Schapira, Deputy Mayor of Paris, visits Chicago.

June

Focus: Culture
T he photography of Jean-Christophe Ballot photography exhibition

July

Focus: Business
Hubert Duault, General Director of Paris Development and Karine Bidart, business development Director of Paris Development visited Chicago from July 9th to the 13th. Follow up visit from M. Schapira was in Chicago in April. He discussed with Mayor Daley and M. de Boisseiere about possible economic between Paris and Chicago and the economic issues were mentioned as a priority in the memorandum of understanding, signed in September of 2007.

September

Focus: Sports
French Marathon Runner's Reception held at the Chicago Cultural Center.

October 1 - 4

Focus: Healthcare
Dr. Youlia Kirova from the Institut Curie participated in the Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Symposium – Sister Cities Medical Initiative.

November - December

Focus: Culture
War & Peace with artists David Gista, a Parisian artist who has lived in Chicago for eight years, Dave Sheehan & Todd Narbey Readings by award winning poets Stella Vinitchi Radulescu & Emily Calvo with translations from French. The exhibition was located at Thinkart Salon in Chicago, which ran through Thursday, December 31st.

2008
January

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee co-sponsored an exhibition in Paris' 6th arrondissement of photos depicting the restoration of Pont Neuf taken by retired Northwestern University Professor Ben Mittman.

March 26 - April 5

Focus: Education
Twenty-two 8th graders from Lincoln Elementary School in Chicago visited Lycée Henri IV, their sister school in Paris.

April 19-28

Focus: Education
Twenty-four 8th grade students from the Lycée Henri IV visited their sister school, Lincoln Park Elementary School, in Chicago.

June 2-6

Focus: Culture
Cyrano's Bistro represented the Paris Committee as a food vendor at the Chicago Sister Cities International Festival on Daley Plaza.

October 2

Focus: Culture
French designer, Sakina M'sa, participated in an exploratory visit to Chicago. As well as meeting with program organizers of After School Matters and other Chicago institutions, Ms. M'sa was featured as one of the six internationally based designers in the World Fashion Chicago runway show.

October 5

Focus: Culture
Accessible Contemporary Music, in conjunction with the Chicago Sister Cities International Program presented the final concert of the Composer Alive: Paris Project. The concert featured the World Premiere of Sextet, a new work written for ACM by Internationally recognized Paris based composer Stephane Delplace and the music of other living French composers were also performed.

October 10

Focus: Sports
The Paris Committee hosted a French Runners Reception at the Chicago Cultural Center to welcome French runners participating in the Chicago Marathon.

November 6 - December 3

Focus: Culture

The Paris Committee co-sponsors "Faces: A Question of Identity: The Changing Face of France" by emerging Paris-based artist, Florent Moutti.

November 17

Focus: Business

The Paris Committee co-hosted a reception for a delegation from the Paris-based Electric Vehicles Trade Mission

November 18

The Paris Committee supported the Jazz Faure Project when "French Impressionism Meets American Jazz."

2007
March 21

Focus: Culture
Paris Committee Member Claudia Hommel performed at the HotHouse as part of the Jazz Fuare Project. The Committee, in conjunction with the Alliance Francais, hosted a small reception.

April 14-28

Focus: Culture Twelve students aged 15-16 visited Chicago from l'Ecole Alsacienne in Paris. The two schools expressed interest in becoming Sister Schools and paper work was generated and was sent to the school to be signed. 

Focus: Culture The Committee arranged for an exhibition of photos depicting the restoration of the Pont Neuf (French for new bridge), ironically the oldest bridge in Paris, taken by retired Northwestern University professor Ben Mittman.  The exhibition took place in the town hall of the 6th arrondissement in Paris, and was very well received. 

November 25-28

Focus: Government
As a follow up to Mayor Daley’s visit to Paris this September, a delegation from the City of Paris was in Chicago and included Mr. Philippe Chotard, Vice Secretary General; Ms. Véronique Bédague-Hamilius, Director of Finance; Mr. André Marie Bourlon, Vice Director of Urban Planning and Mr. Mayeul Places, Department of International Affairs. While in Chicago, the delegation had meetings with the City Departments of Housing, Streets and Sanitation, Environment, Budget, Finance and with the Chicago Public Schools.

RMD visited Paris in September 2007 to celebrate the culmination of the 10th anniversary of the Sister City signing with Paris. During the visit, the Mayor signed a renewed agreement with the Mayor of Paris for continued cooperation between our cities.

During his visit, he was also hosted by the Minister of Finance and Economy for France, Her Excellency Christine Lagarde. Minister Legarde has a close connection to Chicago, as she lived here for several yearse when she was Chairman of the Baker and McKenzie Law Firm. RMD has been supportive of working when she was Chairman of the Baker and McKenzie Law Firm. RMD has been supportive of working with Minister Legarde to continue to promote economic ties between Chicago and France.



2006
September 25-29

Focus: Culture
10-Year Anniversary Several events were held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Chicago and Paris as Sister Cities:
*Mon. 9/25 – presentation by Ben Mittman on the restoration of the Pont Neuf at the Alliance Francaise
*Tue. 9/26 – special reception at the World Fashion Chicago runway show
*Wed. 9/27 – French Film night at the Cultural Center
*Thur. 9/28 – presentation by Reid Lewis about his endeavor to reenact the journey of LaSalle, and early French explorer of Illinois.
*Fri. 9/29 – Chicago Symphony Orchestra features pieces by French composers Maurice Ravel and Saint-Saen.

October 20

Focus: Culture
Reception for the French Runners participating in the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon at the Cultural Center




2003
August 18

Focus: Culture
Guests enjoyed a picnic style dinner and honored Kendall College culinary student, with a $1000 scholarship, followed by a French Baritone performance in PBH.

Focus: Culture
October 10 A reception was held at Vertel's to welcome the French Chicago marathon participants.

October 28-31

Focus: Business
Paris Biotech



2002
Spring

Focus: Culture
The inauguration of a subway entrance designed by Hector Guimard was held at the installation site at Michigan and Van Buren. This design is a replica of a Paris Metro entryway. The Paris Committee participated in the celebration.

Focus: Trade and Business
Representatives of French biotechnology companies visited Chicago based biotechnology companies to exchange ideas and network business opportunities.

April 7

Focus: Culture
Members of the Paris Committee traveled to France to support Chicago runners participating in the Paris Marathon.

October 11

Focus: Culture
A reception was held for French runners in the Chicago Marathon.




2001

Focus: Culture
The opening of American Center in Paris featuring performances by Chicago's Hubbard Street Dance Company.

Focus: Culture
The Chicago Praise Ensemble performed at the Paris Gospel Festival.

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee held a reception for the nearly 400 French runners in Chicago to participate in LaSalle Bank's Chicago Marathon.

Focus: Education
RATP engineers from France gave a presentation at University of Illinois Chicago on the Guimard Metro Entourage installation in Chicago.




2000

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee held a fundraiser called Chefs de Paris, which celebrated Chicago’s finest French chefs; the chefs offered samplings of their creations at Symphony Center. A scholarship was awarded to a Kendall College student.

Focus: Trade and Economic Development
In collaboration with Invest in France Agency, the Paris Committee organized a trade mission to Paris for Chicagoland biotechnology companies. Trip participants had the opportunity to establish contacts with French pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, regulatory bodies, and venture capital firms; meet with French biotech companies in one-on-one partnering meetings; visit the genopole® d’Evry Biotech Park and Paris Biotech Park; showcase Illinois Biotech companies at the new BIOTEC Europe 2000 expo & conferences in Paris, and enhance relationships between the Illinois Biotech and French Biotech communities. Chicago companies participated in a series of one-on-one meetings with more than 70 French firms. As a result of these sessions, several overseas partnerships are seriously being negotiated. The trip was made possible with support from The Chicago Partnership for Economic Development, Deloitte & Touche, Illinois Trade Office, McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff, and United Airlines.

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee sponsored the New European Literature Festival 2000 at the Chicago Cultural Center, where six authors from throughout Europe read from their works, discussed the current state of European literature, and signed books.




1999

Focus: Social Services
The Paris Committee arranged the itinerary for Giscard d’Estaing, former first lady of France and founder of the Foundation pour l’Enfrance, which focused on meetings with leaders and innovators in the field of child welfare.

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee collaborated with Alliance Francaise de Chicago to develop Celebrating Chopin, a two-month long celebration of the music of Chopin, as well as the effect of his work on the visual arts.

Focus: Government
Frederic LaCave, in charge of American affairs for the City of Paris, met with CSCIP staff and Paris Committee members.

Focus: Culture
La Fete de la Musique, a festival celebrating music during a 24-hour period, featured Le Grand Orchestre du Bal, sponsored by the Paris Committee.

Focus: Economic Development
The Trade and Business Subcommittee met with counterpart subcommittee members from Paris who represent the Paris Development Agency to discuss potential projects.




1998

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee arranged a discussion entitled “Outsiders Inside: Writers in Urban Culture” for Paris-based writers.

Focus: Art
The Chicago Jazz Festival featured jazz group from Paris.

Focus: Fundraising
The Paris Committee hosted a fundraiser titled “Petrossian at the Pump Room.”

Focus: Culture
Les Grands Ateliers was featured at the Merchandise Mart during DECOREX show.

Focus: Culture
The Paris Committee organized a cheering section at Paris Patisserie for French runners participating in LaSalle Bank’s Chicago Marathon for second year.

Focus: Culture
A World in a Weekend featured Paris.




1997

Focus: Government
First Deputy Mayor of Paris, Jacques Dominati, accompanied a small delegation, to Chicago. Meetings focused on ideas for alleviating traffic congestion in Paris and parking alternatives. In addition, the Paris Committee hosted a benefit dinner at Bistro 110 featuring the renowned Chef Joel Robuchon. Funds provide seed money for future sister cities projects.

Focus: Culture
Paris Committee members cheered on French runners during the Chicago marathon at Paris Patisserie, a restaurant in Lincoln Park. The number of French runners increased from seven in 1996 to more than 150 in 1997 due to a member of the Paris Committee solicited French runners during the Paris marathon.

Focus: Culture
The Ferre Brothers Quartet from Paris performed during the Chicago Jazz Festival at Grant Park.



1996
September

Focus: Signing
After a visit to Chicago former Paris mayor, President Jacques Chirac proposed to Mayor Richard M. Daley that Chicago and Paris enter into a sister cities agreement. The agreement was solidified in Paris in September 1996.