Next table on Saturday, February 21st at 1:00
PM | 1519 Jackson Ave. | Free
This community event is free and open to everyone, but donations to the Alliance Française are greatly appreciated to support our cultural and educational initiatives. Bring along some food or drinks to share, and join us for an evening of language, culture, and community. Join us for this free social and conversation table where you'll be able to practice your Louisiana Créole. Mèsi for the support!
(En Kréyol) Enri Bakonné çé in lartis é laktivist kréyol Lalwizyàn ki dévyin de le 7èm ward
de Lanouvèl-Òléan é ki fé lar tradisyonnèl é dijital. Dan sô louvraj, Enri séyé trouvé mañè ajouté sô léritaj é langaj kréyol Lalwizyàn pou
édé lòt moun konm li aprenn é séyé réménnin lakilchir endan yê famiy. En 2021, li partí Lavil pou étidjé lar dan Baton-Rouj é gañin in
diplomm en lar é étud rélijyez de Linivèrsité Léta Lalwizyàn. Astè, l’ap travay koté Mizé Wès Baton-Rouj konm yê shèf de lédukasyon.
Avèk in lòt lartis kréyol, Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers, li fé boukou lar é litérati ki trouvé dan Mitoloji Latannyèr/Mythologies
Louisianaises
(2023) koté Mizé Pak Kapital a Baton-Rouj, Contes Merveilleux (2023), Tickie Saia Memorial Park dan Baton-Rouj (2024), é Kont
Kréyol-yé
(2025) koté Mizé Wès Baton-Rouj. Osit, Enri komensé prinmyin latab kréyol koté Mizé Wès Baton-Rouj, pélé “Kafé Kréyol”-la, ki montré moun
apré langaj é lakilchir kréyol Lalwizyàn shak prinmyin sanmdi de mwa.
(In English)
Henry Barconey is a Louisiana Creole artist and language activist from the 7th ward of New Orleans who makes both traditional and digital
art. In his work, Henry tries to incorporate his Creole heritage and language to help others like him learn and try to bring the culture
back into their own families. In 2021, he left the City to study art in Baton Rouge and earned a B.A. in visual art with a minor in
religious studies from Louisiana State University. Currently, he’s working at the West Baton Rouge Museum as their head of education.
Working with fellow Louisiana Creole artist, Jonathan “radbwa faroush” Mayers, he’s made art and literature appearing in Mitoloji
Latannyèr/Mythologies Louisianaises
(2023) at the Baton Rouge Capitol Park Museum, Contes Merveilleux (2023), Tickie Saia Memorial Park in Baton Rouge (2024), and Kont
Kréyol-yé (2025)
at the West Baton Rouge Museum. Henry also started the first Creole table at the West Baton Rouge Museum, called the “Kafé Kréyol”, which
teaches people about the Louisiana Creole language and culture every first Saturday of the month.
About Louisiana
Créole
Louisiana Créole is a unique language that has played a significant role in the
cultural history of South Louisiana. Spoken by both
elite families and marginalized communities, it reflects the diverse and
complex heritage of the region. The Louisiana Creole
language is perhaps unique among Louisiana's heritage languages in the extent to which its use historically transcended
barriers of race and socio-economic status.
At its height, Louisiana Creole was spoken throughout South Louisiana by members of the most elite families and members of the most
marginalized communities. The features of Louisiana Creole, perhaps more so than those of any other language, speak to the unique
history and culture of Louisiana.
Unlike any other language, Louisiana Créole encapsulates the
rich blend of cultures that make up Louisiana, from
African and Caribbean to French and Spanish influences. Engaging with Louisiana Créole not only connects us with the past but also
preserves an essential aspect of our cultural identity.