Reception in honor of the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program
On the 22nd of April, the Franco-American Fulbright Commission had the pleasure of celebrating the 80th anniversary of The Fulbright Program during a special reception held at the historic Hôtel de Talleyrand.
The evening brought together members of our vibrant Fulbright community including alumni, current grantees, and partners, reflecting the strength and continuity of the program across generations. Among the distinguished guests were also the 23 Executive Directors of Fulbright Commissions across Europe, a living symbol of the transatlantic bond.
We were honored to open the event with remarks by Victoria Robinson Roberts (Chief of Staff, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State), Jehan Jones (Cultural Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Paris), and Martine Roussel (Executive Director of Fulbright France).
The celebration also featured a beautiful concert by Fulbright grantee Lily Stern and Fulbright alumna Natalie Darst Xia, with a concert program thoughtfully designed by Katya Vaz. The selected repertoire highlighted composers who have spent time in France, including Philip Glass, himself a Fulbright alumnus, a meaningful tribute to the program’s lasting artistic and cultural impact.
More than an anniversary, this evening was a powerful reminder of what the Fulbright Program represents: a lasting commitment to dialogue, mutual understanding, and the belief that international exchange can build bridges between cultures and shape a more connected world.
A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us to mark this important milestone.
