FIAF (French Institute Alliance FranAaise) is celebrating its annual Trophee des Arts Gala on October 29, 2008 in New York's historic and newly renovated Plaza Ballroom, honoring Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi and Philippe de Montebello, the director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

During the evening, Grammy-Award winner Ne-Yo will surprise the audience with a special performance.

A black-tie benefit hosted by chairmen Doug Morris, Chairman of Universal Music Group, Phyllis Collins, Sarah Frank, member of the Vivendi Supervisory Board, and Lorenzo D. Weisman, this elegant evening will feature cocktails, dinner, and live and silent auctions to raise funds to support FIAF's educational and cultural programs.

JEAN-BERNARD LEVY, PILIER D'OR 2008

FIAF will also recognize Jean-Bernard Levy, Chairman of the Management Board & CEO of Vivendi, with the Pilier d'Or, for his generosity and commitment to the organization throughout the years.

Jean-Bernard Levy is the dynamic force behind Vivendi's expansion in the United States and worldwide. Vivendi is a world leader in communications and entertainment with top market positions in recorded music and music publishing (Universal Music Group), television, cinema, telecoms and now video games with the merger of Vivendi Games and Activision into Activision Blizzard. With a presence in 80 countries and over 37,000 employees worldwide, Vivendi has built long-term business ties between France and America, delivering high-quality entertainment services to U.S. consumers and meeting the ever-growing communication needs of today's world.

The Pilier d'Or recognizes a leading business figure, diplomat or philanthropist for outstanding contributions to the French-American Community.

PHILIPPE DE MONTEBELLO, TROPHEE DES ARTS 2008

FIAF's Trophee des Arts will be presented to the French born Philippe de Montebello in tribute to his exceptional career and legacy of achievements as the longest-serving director of the Metropolitan Museum's 138-year history. He started there in 1963 as a curatorial assistant and has led the museum since 1977.

The Trophee des Arts was created in 1992 and has since been bestowed upon French and American artists and cultural icons, including Christian Lacroix, Quincy Jones, Lauren Bacall, Louis Malle, Isabelle Huppert, Charlie Rose, and James Ivory.

FRENCH INSTITUTE ALLIANCE FRANAAISE

Founded in 1898, French Institute Alliance FranAaise (FIAF) is the leading French language and cultural center in the United States. It provides innovative cultural and educational exchanges between French and American communities by creating exciting and accessible experiences for New Yorkers.

FIAF presents the best and broadest range of programming in both French and English: films, lectures and performing arts, year-round in Florence Gould Hall, Tinker Auditorium and Le Skyroom. For the second year, FIAF presented the New York audience with its annual fall festival dedicated to French contemporary culture, Crossing the Line, a multidisciplinary program of theater, dance, music, visual arts and film. FIAF's Haskell Library, designed by Michael Graves, houses the most extensive collection of French literary works in the United States. The FIAF Gallery presents a wide array of works by contemporary French and American photographers and visual artists. The Language Center, with 6,000 students, is the largest French language school in North America and offers courses in French at all levels and for all ages.

Proceeds will benefit FIAF's world-class educational and cultural programs.

SOURCE: Vivendi

FIAF 
Jean-Christian AGID, 917-349-8361 
Alexis BUISSON, 347-585-0324 
press.fiafgala2008@yahoo.com 
or 
VIVENDI: 
Flavie Lemarchand-Wood, 212-572-1118