Celebration of the 500^th Anniversary of the "Baptism of America"
in
Saint-Dié-des-Vosges
France

We arrived shortly after noon in time to meet up at 13:45 at the Museum of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges located at corner of Place George Trimoulle and Rue St. Charles, next to the Cathedral.

At 14:00 we had a guided tour of the Cathedral and the special exhibition at the St. Dié on the “Invention of America” with a special selection of books, maps and other rare works from French museums.

At 15:00 there was a special colloquium on the history of the naming of America in a conference a room at the Museum. Albert Ronsin, the historian of St. Dié and the greatest living expert on the Gymnase Vosgien and the early 1500s in St. Dié was one of the leading participants. Everyone attending was invited to speak and ask questions.

At 17.00 Ms. Chantal Weil, Deputy Mayor in Charge of Cultural Affairs, joined us and welcomed us to St. Dié.

At 20:30 Concert at l’Espace Georges Sadoul, by the National Orchestra of Lorraine under the direction of Kanabo ABE. This was the world premier performance of Lorraine composer Pierre Thilloy’s new work, the “America”, Symphony Number 8 for soprano and orchestra, Op. 149.

(Previous planning and background info about this event)

April 2007