Louisiana’s Free Global Festival With Moussa Sadou

French was once treated like something to hide in Louisiana. Today, it’s a doorway into memory, family, and a kind of community pride that you can hear in the streets of Lafayette. I’m joined by Musa Sadoo, a French educator from Niger and the president of this year’s Festival International de Louisiane, and his story is the perfect lens for understanding how language and culture travel and how they take root.

We talk about Musa’s leap to Louisiana in 2002 through CODOFIL, the shock of arriving with limited English, and the small acts of hospitality that made him feel like he’d found the place he was meant to be. From French immersion classrooms to conversations about Cajun and Creole heritage, he shares how French becomes a bridge between grandparents and grandchildren, between local traditions and global connections, and between a newcomer and a city that welcomes him.

Then we go behind the scenes of Festival International de Louisiane, one of the biggest free music festivals in the world. Musa explains why the festival works: diversity across genres and countries, year-round planning, sponsor support, and more than 2,500 volunteers who keep the magic moving. We also cover practical tips for attending, including family-friendly spaces, accessibility considerations, passes, the festival app, and what to know if it’s your first time downtown.

If you care about Lafayette Louisiana culture, Francophone heritage, or how community events can change a city, you’ll get a lot from this conversation. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a reason to visit Lafayette, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Transcript

When French Was Punished

SPEAKER_03 0:00

where they made French, I don't want to say illegal, but it may have been, you know, when did that pass? Do you know the year?

SPEAKER_01 0:07

I don't think I know. When I I moved here in 2002, at this time it wasn't uh it was already uh made. Yes. The decision no French. And the those parents were telling me also uh at school when they speak French, they was punished.

SPEAKER_02 0:22

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 0:22

Though they was punished because they don't want them to speak French.

SPEAKER_02 0:26

I've heard the story.

SPEAKER_00 0:27

Yes. Welcome to Posture and Purpose, where both healing and community come together. Make sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Let's get into this episode with Dr. Michelle Car Frank.

SPEAKER_03 0:41

Hello and welcome to today's episode of Posture and Purpose. Joining me today is Mr. Musa Sadoo. Thank you for being here. He is the president of this year's Festival International de Louisiane. Did I say that right?

SPEAKER_01 0:56

Yes ma'am.

SPEAKER_03 0:57

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 0:58

Good.

SPEAKER_03 0:58

And I appreciate him being here. He's going to share a lot about his journey here to Louisiana and his journey to becoming the president of this year's festival. If I'm not mistaken, we're celebrating 40 years. Correct. What a milestone. Yes ma'am so again thank you for being here. And those of you uh those of us who may not know a lot about you, can you tell us about your background? What brought you here and what led you to Louisiana?

SPEAKER_01 1:25

Yes, uh

Meet Musa Sadoo And The Festival

SPEAKER_01 1:27

it's just a surprise for me because uh in my country I was a teacher. I used also to teach Peace Corps volunteers in my country. I teach them French, my culture and some two of my local language. So it's happened to me and also I'm a teacher and it happened to me just to apply. I saw they're looking for French in Louisiana and after being after working with some uh people from United States I say you know what I'll try to go see the country because uh I have good relationship with those Peace Call volunteers so I say I will apply and this happened it was like a dream come true. In 2002 I get hired by Codophil to come to church in Louisiana so I just first I just didn't know well what's happening such a change I never left I I I I I travel around Africa but never or uh out of Africa.

SPEAKER_03 2:33

And tell me what part of Africa are you from and how many languages do you speak?

SPEAKER_01 2:38

In Africa I'm uh I'm from Niger. Niger is a francophone country so we have like ten different local languages we speak and then French is our official language because we are a French colony so uh we teach French at school we speak French but everybody has his own language so I was able to speak more than five of those wonderful wow I wish I could say that maybe one day maybe one day goals so what was your first impression when you arrived in Louisiana oh uh first I came to Baton Rouge I came to New York after also uh I took Greyhound to come to Baton Rouge it took me two days from New York to yes so my English wasn't very good so I just decided I said okay I'm taking Greyhound because uh uh I didn't have ladder money on me so I just say okay I'm coming to sign my contract in Baton Rouge and uh in Baton Rouge we have uh to sign contract and then uh I found out I will be teaching in uh Lafayette which is very very nice for me when I came uh it was at Evangeline Elementary I was uh a fourth grade French margin teacher uh I was very welcome by my students my student parents uh and uh it was just all this uh hospitality

From Niger To Louisiana Classrooms

SPEAKER_01 4:05

touched me uh I feel like oh my god I have to give back to this community because the way they welcome me they support me I remember my first year during uh Thanksgiving one of my student parents invited me oh that's wonderful I went I can still remember her name Amy Hanks wonderful family they invite me because she said to the she told to the parent Mr. Sadhu my teacher is by himself is Thanksgiving can we invite me they invite me to the house uh welcome me uh and also Christmas one of the students also Claire uh her family invited me for Christmas I can if I can tell you all how many gifts I bring home it was so touching to see uh how those kids welcome me how the parents welcome me at school level it was just uh I say oh my god I think uh I found where I'm supposed to be you made a right a good decision yes ma'am good and as a French teacher like you mentioned how have you seen the language the French language connect or build a bridge between the communities that you're from yes uh I I can remember some of my students have been told telling me that uh their grandparents uh speak French uh some of them Creole uh Acadian language yeah we even have uh at this time I was speaking I was teaching all the subjects before I get back to math teaching math I was teaching all the subjects and uh we have a project that says okay every student can you ask your parents where they're coming from so that was a wonderful project to hear oh my grandgrandparents from came from Canada some of them they come from France some of the it was really even for them asking those to the grandparents yeah it was really they discover how where the grandgrandparent came and why even they was put in French immersion because French immersion was one of the grandparent language isn't that amazing absolutely and uh I remember even one of my colleague teachers told me her mama say when she passed she wants all her rosary to be said in French.

SPEAKER_03 6:31

And we went and I listened to those ladies telling the rosary in French I say wow that's really Louisiana is a francophone uh city yes very francophone state absolutely yes do you know what year was it in the six what year was it where they or was it in the 40s where they made French I don't want to say illegal but it may have been you know when did that pass? Do you know the year?

SPEAKER_01 6:58

I don't think I know when I I moved here in 2002 at this time it wasn't uh it was already uh made yes the decision no French and the those parents were telling me also uh at school when they speak French they were Spanish.

SPEAKER_05 7:12

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 7:13

Though they were punished because they don't want them to speak French.

SPEAKER_03 7:16

I've heard the stories so we've come a long way right and that's wonderful you're a part of that so that's great. Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 7:23

Have you noticed any similarities between Lafayette or the culture in Louisiana and home you know uh I know the weather is uh my country is hot it's uh where I'm living is uh is very hot dry because on the north of my country we have uh the desert the Sahara desert okay so it's dry but Louisiana is kind of humid we have the humidity is hot uh I'm fine with that and also uh in my country we eat also spicy food and here okay we love uh spicy food so that's so no mosquitoes there oh we have mosquito we have mosquitoes we have a river called Niger River and so uh and at this place also we have mosquito okay I feel like uh here uh it's okay it's okay you're used to it right yes and being uh are you you said multilingual how has that shaped your perspective on a community or a connection between the people you've met and the your journey here yeah I think uh I'm a youth to speak uh in my country different languages because uh each ethnic group in my country have their own language and we grow up learning different languages to communicate. So that's why also I came here I feel like oh I have to improve my English skill to be able to talk uh and also all the people who speak also French I try to speak also with them and uh uh that's they they they like it and all those people who speak French they love like if they don't have opportunity to get somebody to speak French and as soon as they hear me speaking French oh chip français and then we start they say they don't have enough uh but we have table francaise now with codophil where people are invited to go and speak French and uh you know I think don't just feel like oh I'm gonna make a mistake don't worry push yourself uh if we franc yeah be brave be brave do it just do it and how did your journey as a French educator lead you to eventually become involved in the festival yes ma'am you know when I came here all thinking about how everything is going well for me I like here and people supporting me I think like oh I have to give back I have to be more part of this community who welcome me so I in 2003 the festival international began because when I came in 2002 it was already passed. So in 2003 the first festival I started going they was looking for people who can introduce musician in French and English. So I jump on the opportunity your first year so I just starting to introduce on the stage on the scene uh the musician uh you know as African people we love music in every occasion we have we sing we dance so that's what yeah so I say okay uh and when I saw my first year the festival I introduced musician also it's free I said oh okay this is where I'm gonna be every year yes and you can grow I can grow with it and I start since then to I start being volunteer for um festival uh introducing musicians then I switched to be driving artist from hotel to the yeah to the scene to meet them yeah to meet them and uh they sign my t-shirt they we I bring them to the oh it's it's just being part of this was really amazing and the behind the scenes look oh my god that must be fun absolutely and was the role of president of the festival anything you ever really envisioned did you have your sights on it or was it something you

French As A Bridge Across Generations

SPEAKER_01 11:15

never would have imagined no uh you know after uh I've been uh like uh more than 10 years I was just volunteers so after in 2013 I decided you know I want to know more how this happened how this magic happened uh and it's a free so I decide to get on the board I get on the board in 2013 I was just on the board and after a couple of years I become also vice president for programming for artists yes so I did it uh for I stay on the board for uh six years I roll out for three years because after six years you have to uh I think get out and get some new people you stay for three years out and you can come back and I'm back now and uh at the end now this year I was by my board members they they they vote for me to become the president the four years president for the wow you're the guy yes so and it's such a unique cultural experience for Lafayette what do you think what do you think is the one thing that makes festival so special I mean we know Lafayette is special yes ma'am but Lafayette uh the festival has brought such a unique um gift to know all that you're talking to me I just still have a goose in me feeling that uh festival uh international is unique is free is unique and also what touched me the most about festival is a diversity yes it's a diversity first this will not happen if you don't have a people great here from Lafayette because Lafayette uh I was talking to the founding father how they begin this challenge they I know so it was like a crazy thing to start having bringing people from all over and start and now this year the festival is uh artist 40th anniversary and grown in something and grown in something and uh the diversity they invite all kind of band uh anybody can find which they can the rhythm they want yeah and also the magic comes from uh the donor people who sponsor the festival who keep sponsoring for four years this festival international and also we have uh more than 2500 volunteers who don't get paid who just come to support the festival for free yes is the passion there is no way you can you can see this thing happening it is one of the biggest festivals in the world who is free it's free is free did you all hear that so that's also just the music is the food the art oh my god the street animation yes uh is they have a scene who are just for the children safe and yes family friendly I mean my god I guess whoever didn't see festival have to come and laugh at and see it.

SPEAKER_03 14:26

Yes yes well hopefully some of our listeners that haven't been make it out this year because we do know that it is one something they need to see and how do you feel that it helps connect our local culture with global traditions? You've seen this on a personal level.

SPEAKER_01 14:43

Yes ma'am so how have you seen that connection uh globally um I know there's a band from Scotland this year they're they're just from everywhere exactly and also you know we also organize some kind of showcases also during festival to promote the local band we have those kind of do we have our program director director Lisa Stafford who've been here with festival for so many years and she organized also uh those kind of showcases with the artists you know we have the air book the Asian who book the artists to bring them here and we want to also the people who come in Lafayette to see our local artists so to promote them so they can go elsewhere and uh and uh and uh and uh and do the show to perform to perform correct can I ask you don't have to answer okay who's your favorite local band oh wow I'm putting you on the spot yes ma'am uh you can think about it I can think about that because uh every music I hear I love to dance right every rhythm I don't think if we have just one single rhythm band I love all kind of music it all brings you joy god all music bringing me joy I'm the same thing when it came here the zydico the the the the oh it's it's it's just amazing I can't help it it's in the water over here so what kind of impact have you seen the festival have on the community over the years?

SPEAKER_03 16:13

We know it's free but economically is one thing and culturally is another thing but how would you say economically it has improved over the years?

SPEAKER_01 16:25

Oh because if you see I think downtown uh wasn't before when I see it I wasn't here before I just moved here in 2002 I hear when they begin downtown wasn't as great as it was this now because I hear that from uh one of the founding father Herman Mir he was saying even downtown wasn't there right uh and like he was saying he said one of his uh I'm I'm gonna repeat something he was telling us is uh Florida have the beach people go to Florida for the beach here we don't have a beach we don't have nothing but the ingenuity the the idea to bring festival make people come visit festival so this festival let's because economically downtown have changed growing very much so and it's hard during festival to even get a hotel room you have to be sure you book your hotel before uh everywhere people try to if you have some little piece place to rent you have to people get in here yes it's uh we can have three hundred to four hundred thousand people during festival international oh that's it so what mean like hey those will bring and the the the restaurant uh the art people they the the this is the time also to do business and it's there's something for everyone it doesn't matter what you enjoy you will find something to enjoy definitely and at the same time supporting the economy the economic for sure so people see the music and the food and the fun yes that's what we see and that's what we identify with festival but what are some of the things that go on behind the scenes that most people would never expect can you give us some behind the scenes scoop you know uh behind the scoop is uh what they see is uh the the people working we have a staff wonderful we have our executive director Scott Fihan who've been here for now more than 10 years he's been here he he's awesome the staff working under Scott are wonderful they've been here with festival so many years how they put this in shape the board we have a great board also who think about all that so we have every meeting before that people think oh it's just Thursday to Sunday to enjoy but

Volunteering Into Festival Leadership

SPEAKER_01 18:55

as soon as this festival is done people start planning also next year it takes a lot of meeting it's take a lot of effort you have to found uh get the founding we have to get people to sponsor this scene you know and you know it's economic sometimes during COVID we have to shut down a little bit and after we have to come back again it takes time it takes time but right now I think uh we're in good shape and this year April 22nd to 26th I think whoever haven't been to festival need to come see yes stronger than ever yes ma'am so what are the biggest challenges that you faced during organizing something like an event on this scale you know it's just uh you know it challenges coming but we just uh I myself I don't have a big challenge because uh I rely a lot on this executive director like I said Scott Fihan uh so he's he's great yeah he he already know now what to do those people so we just have to meet and uh discuss some few things and have the meeting yeah so it's okay we always we'll get there yes and yes it sounds like the team that you the team yes everyone has a part to play oh yeah oh yeah everyone's dedicated exactly and that makes all the difference in the world yes ma'am so and how do you guys curate how do you find the artists that are you're gonna pick and choose to plan and prepare for the experiences that we all get to enjoy you know we have like I say I talk about Lisa Stafford he's our programming director uh director she's a day full-time job with Festival International uh most of the time I've been working with her as a vice president for programming uh you know we don't have a lot of money like a jazz festival sometimes we see the band jazz festival invite and we New Orleans laugh it's not far so we don't have to pay them the huge amount New Orleans paying yes so we ask them most of the time okay how about you come give us one or two shows this is what we're gonna pay you and also some other people who are already on tour we have some artists already on tour okay so then we can say okay how about this month you on tour on April you just stop and make going by yes we try to get them not as expensive some of them you have to pay high but some of them we try to work it out on a good time and you know to be able to in the crowds. Yes ma'am at Lisa have been there for so many years she knows how to get those she knows how to negotiate the price.

SPEAKER_03 21:34

You could do it in her slide oh yeah oh yeah definitely that's also very good to have on your team right yeah and how do you define your role? What does leadership in your role look like?

SPEAKER_01 21:46

How do you how have you dealt with the title of being president It's just a huge title but uh I just have to conduct the meeting with the board member. We have to be sure that we do We talk about the finance, we talk about what's going on, sure. And uh we do that with the executive director, and uh we're on the same page for doing things we have to do. So I think uh it's uh just do the meeting and uh I have uh they we're always on the same page. Yes, and for the best, and all those people who've been on the board is some people who we know have been with festival for so many years, and they can bring back to festival and they know what we need. We are always on the same line.

SPEAKER_03 22:33

Yeah, they draw from that experience.

SPEAKER_01 22:34

Yes, ma'am.

SPEAKER_03 22:35

And being that a lot of this is all volunteer, yes, what continues uh what makes you to continue to do this every year? What motivates you?

SPEAKER_01 22:45

You know, uh like I say, sometimes uh people I'm gonna refer in English by uh one artist who say sometimes people ask to be happy, but when you put a smile on somebody's face, you're more happy than this person. So that's what I conduct me to do this. At the end of the festival, when I see people enjoying this festival, people happy, I'm more happier than them because we bring uh happiness on to these people, and we hear some good notes about oh man, this we've been having fun. So we're more than happier than that. That's my main things who just keep me going.

SPEAKER_03 23:29

Yes. Sometimes it's it it's more of a gift when you give it away. Exactly, exactly. That's wonderful. So it's really hard to pick one. We talked a little bit about your favorite music.

SPEAKER_01 23:40

Yes.

SPEAKER_03 23:41

Could you tell us your favorite music genre, possibly, at festival?

SPEAKER_01 23:47

Oh wow. You know, like I say in Africa, we we like all kinds. First, I know the musician from Africa, but like uh uh I I like all kinds of music. I want to discover something. Music don't have a border, like we say. Right. Don't have a border, it's all over. So, but you know, when I came here, I didn't know about uh Kejan music, Zydeco. I I I when I came, I I learned it. I still learn it to dance it. So I love it. I like I love it, you know. But I I know those uh reggae music. Uh we bring some reggae music we have this year. Bob Marley's son, Stephen Marley, is coming this year.

SPEAKER_03 24:24

Oh my gosh, is he really?

SPEAKER_01 24:26

Yes, he's oh did y'all hear that? He's playing on a Sunday. Uh yeah.

SPEAKER_03 24:31

Oh, I will definitely be there. Can you get me a backstage pass? I'm just picking. I'm just joking. I'm just picking. So, what about your favorite food booth? Could you share something with us about maybe the your favorite food to get at festival every year?

SPEAKER_01 24:44

You know, um uh in my country you have a river called Niger.

SPEAKER_03 24:49

Uh-huh.

SPEAKER_01 24:50

So, and we have a we product rice. My main food I like the most was uh I discovered it when I move here is similar to my country food. What do you think? Uh catfish kubiyon. Oh, god. That's some kind of that's fish and uh rice. Oh my I love it. So yeah, so uh everything about fish, I love it. Yeah, so you're in the right place. Yeah. That's definitely a good similarity, right? You know, and those restaurants you have to try. Well, if you say you don't like something, try some other. Go to the exactly the festival booth, they have a lot of different restaurants and very much so variety, anything you like, you'll find it. Yeah, you could have found it.

SPEAKER_03 25:32

Was there um like can you think of your biggest wow moment? Like, oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm seeing this happening. I can't believe this has come to fruition that you've seen at festival. Was there a moment like maybe an artist, a band, or anything, maybe just something enlightening that happened?

SPEAKER_01 25:52

Yeah, uh, you know, in the booklet I mentioned about one artist from Africa, very known, Salif Keita. He's a great musician, he's from Mali. We share the same border with this country in Nigeria, in Africa. So he's uh he's a wonderful musician. I never have a chance. I know his music, I listen to music, but I never have a chance to see him in person, to talk to him until he lafayette for during Festival International. At this time, I was a presenter. I and I present him on scene.

SPEAKER_03 26:27

No way.

SPEAKER_01 26:28

I went talk to him, and uh that was I was like, oh my god, is this me and we took pictures, this is me and Salif Kata. Oh and also when I was driving the artist,

How A Free Festival Runs

SPEAKER_01 26:40

I was driving a band from England, Still Pearls, they do reggae. Okay, oh my god, I love this band also. I was able to drive them, talk to him. He signed, I still have it was in 2010 at this time, and so I he signed my shirt, I I have a picture with him. He was oh my god, this white festival. I say, you know what? And all this for free.

SPEAKER_03 27:04

Right, right, exactly. Do the artists um sometimes return, or do you guys try to keep it very different each year?

SPEAKER_01 27:12

Yes, we we don't let like uh yeah in a we don't let every like this year coming back next year. No, we don't do that. We have to let come out like uh three, four years after we let we can let somebody come back because we want also people uh who came to festival discover new artists. We need the most uh new we want new artists, yeah, genres genre to come and see, you know. Like you said, to discover something.

SPEAKER_03 27:41

What do you think is one hidden gym at festival that people might often miss? Is there something I mean we know about the food and the music, but is there a part of festival or an event during festival that people often miss?

SPEAKER_01 27:55

No, I I think uh they have two things people have to understand. We try to uh let everybody have fun for festival. We have Saint Dejen, you know, at the cathedral, we have a place for Saint Dejen for the kid. You have face painting, we have a kid, it's a safe area, it's in the school area. So you can bring your kid. It's not just for adult. We want kids to enjoy. And also, we have if you we ask people to buy sometime a pass. When you buy a pass, this will allow you to use bathroom, clean bathroom, air conditioner bathroom. Yes. So we have also Rain Angel, those people support festival. Uh they have a place they can sit, uh, they have and they have complementary food and drink. And we have those areas also when you buy pass, you can go sit down. Uh, you don't have to be to the big crowd. We have also to accommodate, also, uh physically challenge people. Uh, all this we didn't forget about them uh for festival.

SPEAKER_05 28:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 28:56

So uh we have the security and uh I don't want to forget also about how the city is supporting festival for uh for so many years. We can't do that without them. The people the seed of people from the city, you know, we have uh the security, we have the support, it's just uh great uh events. We have a lot a lot of great support too.

SPEAKER_03 29:20

Oh, and we couldn't do it without each part of that those people helping and working. Yes, ma'am. And so do you have a rough idea of how many countries are actually represented during festival? Speaking of diversity?

SPEAKER_01 29:31

Yes, we have about 25 countries this year, 25 different country coming this year.

SPEAKER_03 29:37

Where else can you go?

SPEAKER_01 29:38

Yes, sometimes you have more than that. This year we have about uh 25 to 27 different countries at the shows this year.

SPEAKER_03 29:45

Is there anything special happening because it's the 40th year? Is there any type of celebration or activity?

SPEAKER_01 29:52

Yes, we have uh, you know, every year we do the we carry the flag on Thursday at uh 7 p.m. This is the opening ceremony. So we have just one scene opening on Wednesday and then Thursday at the Seine International, we have the opening when we carry all those flags and we have a prayer, we have also uh the mayor gonna be there and uh to open it. Uh so we have the opening ceremony on the city. Kick off the show, kick off the party, I should say. Exactly.

SPEAKER_03 30:26

And it's so heartwarming to see all the communities like Lafayette embrace and celebrate the the cultural diversity through Facebook.

SPEAKER_01 30:32

And in the the if you now they have apps, we have application also. Oh, tell us about that festivalinternational.org. If you go to Festival International, you can uh it's already available right now.

SPEAKER_04 30:43

Wonderful.

SPEAKER_01 30:44

You can download the application and you can see all the the special events. It's a lot, and we have the booklet also on the website. Yes, you can let your book also we have also all those different events happening. Everything happening is in the booklet and in the uh apps, and also a special a special message, the president's letter from you.

SPEAKER_03 31:05

So I invite everyone to grab uh one of these. Where can people find these?

SPEAKER_01 31:09

Will these be at festival or they yes, they can be at the festival, they can be in uh Lee Avenue where our office is outside. We have uh uh we put a lot and then we're gonna share them during festival. Okay we have our volunteer tent when we're asking people to volunteer and to get a free t-shirt every time you volunteer. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 31:28

Where do they go they go if they want to volunteer?

SPEAKER_01 31:31

Where should they yeah, they have the volunteer tent, and also people need to go on the website, it's a festival international dot or g. Okay. And you go on there then, and then we keep volunteer. You have a link, you pick your time, you pick your day, whatever you want to do. They have a different thing you can do. So you have that's your choice. You pick your time, your day, convenient, which is convenient for you, and then you give us a few hours, a couple hours to to volunteer. You have a free t-shirt.

SPEAKER_03 32:02

And a free party.

SPEAKER_01 32:03

So, yeah, free exactly. And at the end of the festival on May 20th, we have a whole celebration for the volunteer.

SPEAKER_04 32:11

Oh, really?

SPEAKER_01 32:12

We invite all volunteers for a party. So just to say them, to tell them thank you.

SPEAKER_03 32:18

So an extra party if we didn't have enough already, right? That's great. So from the outside looking in at your story and your journey, moving across the world that takes quite a bit of courage. What gave you this sense of purpose and direction to take that leap of faith all those years ago?

SPEAKER_01 32:38

You know, they have uh, I can tell they have a two thing. First, at this time when I decide to move, we have a big economic problem. So at this time uh from my country, uh it was a paycheck wasn't regular. It was hard financially for me. I needed to get out, and also uh after I worked with Peace Cole, I was trying to get off, and then I pray a lot for God for helping God to help me, found a way, and this opportunity showed up. I decide to apply for this job in Louisiana, and then uh hey, I came here and uh I'm happy I came here, and when I see this, I say, you know what? I think God picked the right place for me to be.

SPEAKER_03 33:32

Yes, and we're lucky.

SPEAKER_01 33:33

And uh people are really uh uh open. Welcome, it was welcoming, so that's what it's a very opening, uh welcoming people, so that's why I say, you know what? And with this festival, I say, man, that's where I'm supposed to be.

SPEAKER_03 33:50

Yes, absolutely, and we are lucky to have it.

SPEAKER_01 33:53

Oh, I'm so happy to be there too.

Food Music Wow Moments And Tips

SPEAKER_03 33:55

And what um would you say home means to you now that you've been here in Louisiana all these years?

SPEAKER_01 34:03

I call it, I think I call Louisiana home now. It's my home because I've been teaching here since 2002, and uh uh after 24 years, I just can call it home. Yes. I have a lot of friends, and festival allows me to meet a lot of great people, working with people, being with people. I think uh I love it. I love it. And every being a teacher also, you have opportunity to talk to a lot of parents, a lot of kids. Some of my kids are working now. Oh, yeah. My students, I see them all through, and then you know, where can you be? Home is where you are happy. Yes, I think that's uh I call it home now.

SPEAKER_03 34:42

Yes, that one I love to hear that, so thank you. And how has your personal story shaped how you lead today? You're leading as a teacher, you're leading as president this year festival. How has the story that came, you know, uh across these years, how has that shaped you?

SPEAKER_01 35:02

Oh, you know, when you do something you like, you don't affect you much. Yeah, I guess I love teaching. I've been teaching all my life. And when you go to Walmart or you go somewhere, you see your old student running from nowhere, didn't even tell it his parents, see you coming, give you a hug. You there is nothing better than that. Or you see uh a parent telling thank you. Uh my kids love you. They always talk to you at home, you know, talk about you for great. About, you know, it's it's good. It's a big reward. And also with festival, I love what I'm doing. I love festival. I love people working for festival. Uh I feel like that's the best reward I'm having. And when you do something, you don't, when you get in those kind of reward reward, you're happy.

SPEAKER_05 36:00

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 36:00

You know, at the end of the day, you think like, oh, you know, people come and go, but you want just to do what is right when you're alive. So that's it. Right. And it's come full circle. Exactly. It has. It sounds like it surely has.

SPEAKER_03 36:13

So tell our listeners, when is festival this year?

SPEAKER_01 36:17

Okay. Festival International de Louisiane is every year, every year is coming every year. But this year is is always in the month of April. April. This year is April 22nd to 26th. Yes. We start on Wednesday, we finish on uh Sunday.

SPEAKER_03 36:35

And what would you tell someone that has never been to festival? What would you say to them right now?

SPEAKER_01 36:40

Okay, if you have never been, that means you're missing something. Yes. Because our festival is free. Yeah, we have all kind of uh music. It's not just the music, it's the diversity. Yes. We have street animation, which is my good part too, because on the street we have people who do the animation, it's wonderful for the family, for the children. And uh we have food, we have arts, we have Marché du Monde where we have all kind of different things you can buy. Yes, we have special events also going on. It's it's full. You have to go on the website, festivalintern.org. You have the schedule, you have a special event, you have also where you can volunteer. Give us a few times, keep this festival alive, enjoy it and give, do your part.

SPEAKER_03 37:33

Call your friends, sign up for the same woman, and you can festival and call it.

SPEAKER_01 37:37

Exactly, and volunteer, and then that will we keep going, you know.

SPEAKER_03 37:41

Yes, that's what keeps it going.

SPEAKER_01 37:42

And I promise you, whoever volunteer for festival, whoever can volunteer, we're gonna see this person tomorrow, next year. Yes, because it's it's a fun event, it's a great event, it's a free event.

SPEAKER_03 37:54

And you're giving back.

SPEAKER_01 37:55

And you're giving back.

SPEAKER_03 37:56

So that makes it even thank you.

SPEAKER_01 37:58

More more yes, ma'am.

SPEAKER_03 38:00

Um, so anything you want our listeners to hear that we haven't covered, or have we covered everything?

SPEAKER_01 38:07

So I think we cover everything, and also festival. Also, we have some tent when people uh uh lost and found, we have academic ambulance, we have when you're sick, we have people who ride away, will come take care of you, and we have also our merchandise booth when you can buy some golds, those goodies for uh souvenir, we have a cup, we have our banner, we have t-shirt, the other t-shirt.

SPEAKER_03 38:32

And the past.

SPEAKER_01 38:33

And the past, yeah. That's the we have flag for flag for festival. Oh, yes. Yes. We just on May uh April 1st we just went to the mayor's office to raise our festival flag to just say, okay, this is the month for festival. Yes. I guess uh whoever has never been to Festival International, I think this is a time. Four years anniversary is a time to come see it.

SPEAKER_03 38:57

Such a wonderful time to celebrate. So, my last question of the day is always how do you maintain your posture while pursuing your purpose in life?

SPEAKER_01 39:08

Okay.

Dates Volunteering And Closing Reflections

SPEAKER_01 39:10

I think I answered a little bit before. I when I'm doing what I love, what I think I'm getting already a reward. Because for me, sometimes you're doing something you don't like, that's pen for you. Every day when you have to do something you don't like, like you don't like your job, you don't like what you're doing, it's every day hard for you to go. Yes, but if every day you like what you're doing, I don't think if you have any pressure or you you can't wait for tomorrow to show up to to go do what you like. Yes, and uh festival international, I love teaching, I love uh those kids teaching. I love what I'm doing, I love this festival. I've been teaching all my life. Uh and festival international since I came here for 2003. I started doing with festival, I'm still there. Yeah, the year I roll out from the board, I feel like, oh my god, I become uh some kind of orphan. I don't, but you always volunteer. Festival always needs people, yes. And we have fun is a whole, exactly. And uh I love what I'm doing. Uh I don't feel any uh pressure on what I'm doing. Uh the people are fun uh to do uh what they're doing, and uh we become like family. Yeah, festival become a family for me. Well, I think that's a wonderful note to end on. Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

SPEAKER_03 40:39

So thank you so much for being here and everybody. Thank you so much for having me. Go in go to festival, enjoy Bonto Roulet, and till next time. Sit up straight, stay happy, stay healthy, and stay adjusted.

SPEAKER_01 40:53

Merci. Bon festival at us. Vene festival avec nous, s'il vous plaît, on a 22 or 26 April. It's a tremendous amount. Merci beaucoup, Madame.

SPEAKER_03 41:08

Merci.

SPEAKER_00 41:09

Thanks for listening to the Posture and Purpose Podcast with Dr. Michelle Car Frank. Make sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time.