The Princess and the President
On December 18, 1938, Wally Feignoux managed to organize a special screening of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the presidential palace of Elysée in Paris, France. In doing so, he took advantage of a tradition in which the President of the French Republic organizes a Christmas party for Parisian schoolchildren at the palace.
The event was described in several newspapers the next day, such as “L’ère nouvelle”: “200 children were the guests of President and Mrs. Albert Lebrun. As in previous years at Christmastime, President Lebrun hosted a holiday event for schoolchildren from large or particularly deserving families in Paris. Selected by the mayors of the city’s various districts, 200 boys and girls, accompanied by their teachers, arrived at the Élysée Palace at 3 p.m.
In the grand ceremonial hall, they enjoyed a film screening of Snow White, which greatly entertained them. Afterward, they were treated to a festive snack, and then President and Mrs. Lebrun oversaw the distribution of Christmas tree gifts. Delighted, the children each left with a personal souvenir—made even more special by an additional gift personally chosen by the president.
The mayors of all 20 Paris districts were also invited to this celebration dedicated to the youth of the city’s schools.”
