In Washington DC, an Alsatian wants to keep his traditions alive

René Vojel is from Elsenheim, a village located 15 kilometers from Strasbourg, the Alsatian capital. After making a career as a social educator in a prison around Strasbourg, then in an establishment to help battered women, he meets his wife who works in American diplomacy. His life takes a completely different path. Together they start traveling, and every three years they change countries.

After Sri Lanka and Quebec where he launched an association of Alsatians, he arrived in Washington D.C. last July. "In the Friends of Alsace association in Quebec, there are now 120 members ”, he confides with pride. After this great adventure, René hopes to repeat the experience with the launch of an Alsatian association in Washington DC.

While the idea is bothering him, René Vojel exchange with the president of the International Union of Alsatians to get the green light and open a new association in Washington. "I was very well received, with the support of Washington Accueil and the Tricolor Committee, as well as the embassyExplains the guardian of Alsatian traditions.

For the moment, René explains that "25 Alsatian families are interested in the meeting and the creation of an association ”. According to him, the purpose of the association is "maintain the Alsatian culture and dialect and introduce others to the culture". For the first meeting, the members will define together the purpose of the organization and the events to be developed. "The first cultural event on May 1, with the support of Washington Home, is a concert by Charlotte Vix, a singer who won the Alsatian song contest of Stimme in 2019".

Other key dates, important events for Alsatians, will be on the agenda of the meeting, such as Fan Day, the last weekend of June for the promotion of Alsace with a musical and gastronomic evening . But also on December 6 for Saint-Nicolas, very celebrated in Alsace. "Those are fixed dates which are determined by the Union of Alsatians". In September René Vojel hopes that Benjamin Steinmann's feature film “In Memoriam”, which will pass through New York, Chicago Boston, will also be screened for Washington D.C .. “The film talks about Alsatian soldiers forced into the German army during the Second World War“, He explains.

René underlines that “of course gastronomy will have an important place with sauerkraut and flambé pies". Besides, he confides that "he has already been asked to have a sauerkraut evening". The schedule will be according to the wishes of the members: “Why not a wine tasting, for example, with the queen of Alsace wines”. In Washington D.C., there are very few regional associations. "The only other organization of its kind is the Amicale des Ch’tis“, Recalls the Alsatian.

See you on February 7 at 5.30pm, at the French House of the Embassy or contact René Vojel by email: rcpvogel@ Gmail.com.