International Culture Programs

French gastronomy is the benchmark for the world’s finest cuisine. Join French cuisine expert Susan Herrmann Loomis for a lively tour through the centuries that showcases the rich history of a unique and beloved cuisine and the influences that shaped it.

Generations of immigrants have long made their mark on how Americans eat, both at home and when dining out. The editor of a new cookbook focusing on the stories and food of foreign-born chefs joins five leading D.C chefs who discuss their experiences as food professionals and the impact that talented immigrants have made on the local and national dining scenes.

Symbols of power, mystery, and disguise, masks play a role in cultures and societies across the globe. Stunning images by National Geographic photographer Chris Rainier highlight his exploration of the reasons why humans have donned masks since the beginning of time.

Join food historian Francine Segan on a journey to Rimini and Modena, two wondrous cities along an ancient Roman byway in the Emilia-Romagna region. She reveals why the area inspired both an iconic film director as well as today’s travelers who love chic beaches, fabulous food, ancient ruins, and distinctive art and architecture.

Fred Plotkin, an expert on everything Italian, celebrates the festivities, food, and secular and religious traditions that make Christmas in Italy a magical month-long experience.

More than half of roughly 7,000 languages spoken in the world today are in danger of disappearing by the end of this century. Mary Linn of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage examines the critical importance of maintaining language diversity, the forces that threaten to silence endangered languages, and the efforts to combat them.