Coming this Fall: A Special Event at Alliance Française de Philadelphie!

Join Judith Umlas for an unforgettable evening as she presents:

★ Âmes Sœurs et Inconnues (French edition)
★ Soulmates and Strangers (English edition)

This captivating event will explore the extraordinary true story of two young women, Judith’s “deux mamans,” whose lifelong transatlantic friendship shaped generations. Witness how Judith got to know her mother as a teenager and then as a young woman! Share her emotion going through the letters and correspondences and how she came about to write the book she will present on the day.

Valery Galinsky, translator of the French edition will be present via Zoom from the French Caribbean and will engage in the discussion about the translation process and will answer all your questions.

Ryan Waldron, Director of Cultural Programs at the Alliance Francaise de Chicago gave the  session a great review:

 "The Alliance Française de Chicago was delighted to welcome Judith Umlas for an author talk, panel discussion, and book signing in July 2025. Judy gave a moving account of the relationship between her mother and her longtime French pen pal, a friendship that inspired Judy's book Strangers and Soulmates (Âmes soeurs et inconnues). She was then joined virtually by the translator of the French edition, Valery Galinsky, for a discussion on the translation process moderated by AF-Chicago Director of the Médiathèque Renée Saito. Guests were touched by Judy's story and participated in an engaging Q&A session to close the program. It was a pleasure working with Judy, and I would recommend her as a speaker to other cultural institutions looking to organize programming around Franco-American friendship and language learning.”

A night of letters, love, and history—where France meets America

Meet Judith in this brief video click here

The special discount price for the signed book at the event will be :

1 Book - $15
2 Books - $25 

A beautiful gift of friendship and history - take one home and share one with someone special !

Payment by cash, credit card, Venmo or Zelle will be gladly accepted

The books can be also pre-ordered from The publisher website

*** WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ***

Day: Friday, Oct 3rd, 2025
Time: 6:00pm
Duration: 2 hours
Location:  Alliance Française de Philadelphie, 1420 Walnut St, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Language: English, French
Fee : Pay what you want! Registration is free, but we encourage donations, which you can do on site.  

To register for this Book Signing Event, please fill in the registration form below the donation form.