Club news Voyages: François Riga (S1970) steps down

The Culture and Travel Club offers cultural visits and trips to alumni who so wish. On the travel front, François Riga (S1970), who has been organizing the trips for many years, is handing over the reins to a trio: Jean-Louis Chalmeton (S1976), Michel Pénager (S1977) and Jean-Marie Tomatis (S1972), former General Secretary of the Association, are taking over the reins of this activity. However, François will continue to lead the Culture et Voyages club until the next general meeting in June 2024.

François Riga, has been heavily involved in the life of ISAE SUPAERO ENSICA Alumni, as a loyal contributor of course, but above all as a volunteer for almost 30 years.

Having joined the Board of Directors under the presidency of Yves Veret (S1972), whose term of office covered the years 1994 to 1997, he devoted 18 years of loyal service to the Association, as Secretary and then Treasurer, as well as Chairman (since 2006) of the Amitié Solidarité Commission until its reorganization in 2014 to set up the Culture et Voyages club.

The Association's first trip took place in 2001, to French Guiana. This was followed by Moscow in 2002. From 2004 to the present day, François has launched a regular activity, alternating long trips to far-flung destinations and short trips to European destinations. Although the trips began with around twenty participants, they soon grew to 30/32 people.

A magnificent tour of the world with these many and varied circuits, the quality of which has always been praised by registered members:

Discover Chile (2004); Iceland tour (2006); China - in the footsteps of the emperors (2007 and 2008); St Petersburg (2008); Andalusia tour (2008); South Africa - on the trail of the Zulus, Big Five, Victoria Falls (2009); Baltic Capitals (2009); Berlin getaway (2010); India - Lords, forts and palaces of Rajasthan (2011 - 2 trips); escapade in Prague (2011); escapade in Florence and Siena (2012); Canada East Coast and USA (2012); Vienna and Budapest (2013); Peru - In the middle of the Andes, in the Land of the Incas, with extension to La Paz (2013); grand tour of Sicily (2014); Vietnam Cambodia - Land of the dragons and Khmer dream (2014) ; discovery of the Western Balkans (2015); the charms of Ireland (2015); from Mexico to Guatemala via Honduras, discovery of the Mayan civilization (2016); escapade in Moscow (2016); tour of Iran - the Persian civilization (2017 - 2 trips); Polish escapade (2017); the splendors of Lisbon (2018); Burma discovery tour (2018) ; discover Namibia (2019) ; Rome and the Amalfi Coast (2019) ; Petra and Lawrence of Arabia's desert (2022) ; United States : the Great West and its unusual canyons (2022) ; my most beautiful trip to Japan (2023) ; Scotland, land of tradition (2023) ; see trip report on page 12 ; splendors of Iceland (2024) ; Oman Musandam (2024).

We would like to thank François for his long-standing commitment, and wish his successors, Jean-Louis, Michel and Jean-Marie, every success in the future.

Did you know?

• If the trips are proposed by the Association, via its Culture et Voyage club, which chooses the destinations, draws up precise specifications and compares quotes, they are taken care of by specialized agencies and financed entirely by the participants.
• The Association simply supports the club's volunteers by communicating with alumni, acting as a mailbox to receive cheques and the necessary documents, and hosting the trip presentation meeting for participants.
• The club has always chosen to give priority to contributors, and among them loyal contributors, since communication on the trips can only take place because the Association exists, thanks to the exclusive support of its members. A way of returning the favor for the logistical help provided.
• Alumni who would like to help organize self-financed trips, including those with a view to decarbonization and sustainable development (trips accessible by soft mobility), are invited to contact the Association and the club. All goodwill in the service of our community is welcome!