Symposium on La Réunion Colony:
Unveiling Dallas’ Utopian European Past
Date and Time:
Saturday, October 5th from 8:30 am (registration) to 3:00 pm
Join us on October 5th in Dallas for a unique symposium hosted by the Alliance Française de Dallas, celebrating for the first time the fascinating history of the La Réunion colony! Established by French, Belgian, and Swiss immigrants in 1855, La Réunion was a bold experiment in communal living, blending ideals of socialism, cooperation, and artistic expression.
This special event follows the recent English publication of “The Road to Texas”, By Victor Considérant (Deep Vellum), translated from the French by Paola Tettamanzi Buckley, Professeur at SMU and President of the Alliance Française de Dallas. A must-read that uncovers the journey of the founder of the colony, and provides a glimpse into his ambitions and visions.
This Symposium will bring together historians, descendants of the colony, and enthusiasts to discuss the colony’s origins, its cultural and economical impact on the region, and the lessons it offers for Dallas contemporary society.
Through presentations, panel discussions, and rare archival exhibits, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating chapter in Dallas’ history.
OPENING REMARKS : Valerie Baraban, Consul General of France in Houston
Location:
Turner House, 401 N. Rosemont, Dallas, Texas 75208
The Oak Cliff Society of Fine Arts
Tickets are $65 and will include food and drinks.
Preservation Dallas is proud to partner with Alliance Francaise to bring you a Symposium on October 5th that explores the history and legacy of La Réunion Colony, a 19th-century utopian settlement in Dallas, an important part of the City’s early history. The symposium will include presentations by Dallas historians, descendants of the colony, and La Reunion enthusiasts.
