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Important updates and announcements from the Alliance Française de Seattle.

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Updated October 1, 2025

Beginning Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a new Washington State law (ESSB 5814) will take effect, requiring us to collect sales tax on many of our classes and events. This statewide change applies to all cultural organizations, including nonprofits like Alliance Française de Seattle. Starting October 1, 2025, sales tax will automatically be added to eligible purchases when you check out on our website. All purchases made before October 1, 2025 will not be charged a sales tax. 

Starting October 1, 2025, Sales Taxes will apply to: 

  • All paid collective courses 
    • If you’re attending in person, the Seattle sales tax rate (10.35%) will apply.
    • If you’re taking an online class, your sales tax will be based on your billing address. You’ll now need a membership to enroll in online courses—this allows us to waive sales tax for students.
  • Paid events that aim to educate
    • Baking classes, dictées (paid events for non-members), Sip & Paint, Drink & Draw, etc.
Sales Taxes will NOT apply to the following purchases: 
  • Memberships
  • Private and semi-private courses
  • Gift certificates (however, purchases of classes or instructional events made with a certificate will include sales tax if applicable).
  • Free events and classes
  • Language tests and exams (DELF/DALF, TEF, etc)
  • Non-instructional events such as Ciné-Salon, Wine Tasting, Galette des rois, etc.
What if I am already registered for a class or event?
If you registered and paid before October 1, 2025, you will not be subject to sales tax (no matter when the course or event takes place).

For more information about this new legislation, visit the Washington State Department of Revenue website. …


A heartfelt thank you to French Ambassador Laurent Bili and Consul General Frédéric Jung for gracing us with their presence today at Alliance Française de Seattle! It was a true honor to welcome you and your delegation, alongside our colleagues from the French schools of the Puget Sound.

We are immensely proud to be recognized in the Seattle Times by M. Laurent Bili as "one of the most successful [Alliances Françaises] in the United States." Thank you for your kind words and support!  …


Congratulations to Lakshmi for winning the 1st place prize in the French Bridge writing competition "Un jour dans la peau de..." with the poem "Je suis une feuille".

Here is a bit about Lakshmi: 

"Bonjour ! Je m'appelle Lakshmi Agrawal et je suis une étudiante en deuxième année à Interlake HS. J'aime la philosophie et la physique, où j'expérimente avec des polluants dans l'eau et je pose des questions qui n'ont pas de réponse – aboutissant finalement à la création d'un poème. Quand je ne fais pas de recherches ou n’écris pas, j’aime jouer du piano, chanter, lire des fictions historiques et réalistes et jouer au badminton."

Read Lakshmi's winning poem here

 …

In Memoriam: Thierry Rautureau

In Memoriam: Thierry Rautureau

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed board member Thierry Rautureau, on Sunday, October 29, 2023. Thierry was the Vice-President of the AFSeattle board, and was very involved with all facets of the Alliance’s activities. He served on the board for over 10 years and was universally loved for his presence, his contribution and his sense of humor.  Thierry was a prominent member of the Francophone community in Seattle and hosted the famous podcast “Hot Stove Radio” with Tom Douglas under his title "The Chef in the Hat". This is a sad day for the Alliance community, the staff, and the board, and he will be very much missed. We are all grieving this sudden loss, and we encourage you to take a moment to celebrate his legacy. 

Read the complete announcement from Raj Mathew, President of the Board.


We are hiring! We are looking for Part-Time and Full-Time FLE Instructors for our On-Site Classes. Apply today! …


The Alliance Française de Seattle is delighted to announce the first steps of its return on-site. Starting April 27, our conversation events "Let's Talk" offer the opportunity to meet other French learners in person, at intermediate and advanced levels (B1+ to C1), for a fun and relaxed discussion moderated by an AFSeattle instructor. …

Remise des Palmes académiques à Alexandra Dorca le 12 avril 2022

Remise des Palmes académiques à Alexandra Dorca le 12 avril 2022

On April 12, 2022, we gathered for a very special ceremony as Alliance Française de Seattle executive director, Alexandra Dorca, received the insignia of Knight of the Order of the Academic Palms for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the French language and culture, awarded by Mr. Frédéric Jung, Consul General of France in San Francisco. Félicitations, Alexandra !

Le mardi 12 avril à Seattle, lors d’une très belle cérémonie, Alexandra Dorca, directrice de l’Alliance Française de Seattle, a reçu l’insigne de chevalière de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques, décerné par M. Frédéric Jung, Consul général de France à San Francisco. Alexandra Dorca est ainsi honorée pour ses contributions exceptionnelles à la langue et à la culture françaises. Félicitations, Alexandra!

Consulate General of France in San Francisco Embassy of France in the United States Fondation des Alliances Françaises Federation of Alliances Françaises USA Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et des Sports

Otilia Baraboi to become the next Executive Director of AFSeattle

Otilia Baraboi to become the next Executive Director of AFSeattle

The Board of Directors is delighted to announce that a new executive director has been chosen to lead the Alliance Française de Seattle: Otilia Baraboi will be taking over the duties of executive director of the Alliance Française de Seattle on June 1, 2022.

Otilia Baraboi joins the Alliance Française de Seattle with over ten years of experience in managing a successful cultural and educational nonprofit organization in Seattle, as well as over eighteen years of experience in teaching French and developing curricula for French language, literature, and culture.

Otilia holds an MA (2003) and a PhD (2010) in French Studies from the University of Washington, and a Master of Advanced Studies (DEA) in French Literature from the University of Geneva (2004). In 2013, she co-founded the American Romanian Cultural Society and was president of the Board of Directors for five years before becoming its first executive director. There, she managed more than 300 cultural and educational events over the past nine years. In addition to teaching, Otilia’s professional experience includes fundraising and community outreach, leading events and strategic partnership, and building and fostering collaboration in the nonprofit sector. She has a vast experience as a literary journalist and published short fiction, translations, and articles in French, English, and Romanian.

Her priorities to pursue excellence in French-language teaching and Francophone events, to create sustainable, community-building programs and partnerships, as well as her ability to develop a nonprofit’s brand identity in accordance with its mission and values, are strong and relevant skills that she brings into her new role at the Alliance Française de Seattle.

Read the complete announcement here: https://www.afseattle.org/community/email/201/

Executive Director Alexandra Dorca to leave her position at AFSeattle on May 31, 2022

Executive Director Alexandra Dorca to leave her position at AFSeattle on May 31, 2022

The Alliance Française de Seattle Board of Directors announces, with a bittersweet mix of sadness and gratitude, that Alexandra Dorca will be leaving her position as Executive Director on May 31, 2022. Alexandra will be relocating from Seattle to follow her family’s move to Europe.

Alexandra joined AFSeattle as a French as a foreign language instructor in 2014 and was appointed by the board as our new executive director in 2018, following Marie-Ange Wood’s retirement. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to lead our organization’s growth and change. In particular, she designed and executed new strategic development plans, built new partnerships, and helped strengthen operational processes and human resources, leading AFSeattle to its current outstanding position in the industry. She notably spearheaded our Alliance's smooth and incredibly quick transition to a 100% online format at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFSeattle was the first one to do so in North and South America. This enabled us to continue offering classes and keep a direct connection with our learners during unprecedented times. AFSeattle saw a 20% student increase in 2020 and experienced 44% more enrollments than in the pre-COVID year of 2019. Our Alliance is still online almost two years later, and its community of French learners is stronger and more motivated than ever.

Alexandra leaves AFSeattle in a very solid position for continued growth. We cannot thank her enough for her contributions, accomplishments, and inspiring leadership during her time here. Her dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for AFSeattle’s mission have been an inspiration for the board, for her team, and for the members of our community. We wish her the best of luck and opportunities in her future endeavors. Whatever organization she decides to join is a lucky one, and she will be dearly missed at AFSeattle.

Read the complete announcement here: https://www.afseattle.org/community/email/184/