Organization welcomes internationally known French cultural activist Mavis Frugé at French Table this Friday

ERATH — Les Amis du Français en Vermillon (Friends of French in Vermilion) is pleased to welcome Mavis Frugé, a legend in the French speaking communities, as a special guest at La Table Française d’Erath, this Friday, March 17th!
Les Amis du Français en Vermillon will play host to La Table Française d’Erath every Friday at 11 a.m. at Erath City Hall.
Mrs. Frugé, a native of Arnaudville, Louisiana, has worked tirelessly for years to support and foster the continuance of the Acadian language and heritage. She married Mr. Richard Frugé, who had a twenty-five year career with the U.S. Air Force. Mr. Frugé served two tours in Vietnam where he was exposed to Agent Orange and passed away from cancer at age sixty-six. As a result of Mr. Frugé’s career with the USAF, the family lived in many cities over the years. When their family would return home and attend reunions, all of the conversations were in French, and from that experience Mrs. Frugé developed a strong appreciation of her French Cajun roots.
Mrs. Frugé has been involved with the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana for years. She traveled to France, the country of her ancestors, for information on her heritage and has welcomed many French visitors to her home. Over the years, she has hosted over 400 Francophone guests. After retirement, Mrs. Frugé joined Codofil’s Théâtre Cadien. She attended Université Sainte- Anne in Nova Scotia for one semester and came home fired up about keeping French alive. She founded La Table Francaise d’Arnaudville to preserve and restore Louisiana French.
Mrs. Frugé’s efforts at preserving the uniqueness of Cajun and Creole culture have garnered her many honors and awards. She received The Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year Award, as well as the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor’s Prix de la Franco-Responsabilité award for her efforts in preserving the French language.
Mrs. Frugé was inducted into the Order of Living Legend at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville. In addition, she received the Living Legend Award, sponsored by the Acadian Museum of Erath and Mr. Warren Perrin. Recognized as one of the highest cultural distinctions offered by France to non- citizens, Mrs. Frugé was presented with the Ordre des Palmes Academiques Award.
Les Amis du Français en Vermillon Layla Melancon, Director 337.254.8522 laylamelancon@gmail.com PO Box 450; Erath, LA; 70533
Mrs. Frugé was recently appointed to Chevalier dans l’ordre National du Merité (Knight in the National Order of Merit), by the President of the French Republic. As stated by the Ambassador of France to the United States, Mr. Philippe Etienne, “This decoration illustrates the deep recognition of the French authorities for your efforts to preserve the culture and French language in Louisiana, as well as the promotion of bilateral relations between the state of Louisiana and France.”
Leading the way for cultural revitalization in Acadiana, Mrs. Frugé founded the Saint-Luc French Immersion and Cultural Campus in Arnaudville. This unique cultural institute and educational facility provides French immersive experiences in the realms of culture, economy, the arts, education and the environment.
Just like Acadiana farmers growing coton jaune (Acadian brown cotton) to preserve the heritage seeds and continue its storied tradition, Mrs. Frugé tends to her own patch of brown cotton in her backyard. She shares her interest in reviving cultural traditions, such as spinning and weaving with coton jaune, through workshops at Saint-Luc.
“Mrs. Frugé is extremely passionate about preserving Louisiana French, and it is an honor to have her as a guest facilitator at La Table Française d’Erath,” stated Layla Melancon, Director of Les Amis du Français en Vermillon. She continued, “Her gracious and humble spirit, and genuine love of Louisiana French language and culture is an inspiration to me, and I am deeply blessed to know and work with her.”