(Click here to enlarge the poster)
Francophonie, a word that refers to the community of people who share the French language, is an institutional arrangement organized by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie that aims to intensify dialogue across cultures and currently includes more than one third of the member states of the United Nations. Over 20,000 Filipino students of the French language in various schools and Alliances françaises in the Philippines are set to join the roughly 220 million Francophones worldwide in celebrating the French language and culture from March 7 to 20 through a line-up of activities happening throughout the month.
On March 8, French artist Mouron and pianist Terry Truck will open the Francophonie festivities with a free concert of the classics of French chanson at the Far Eastern University. March 11 marks the 20th anniversary of the European International School in Manila, the first Eurocampus established in Asia and under the supervision of the Department of Education, and this will be highlighted by the first official visit to the Philippines by Ms. Anne-Marie Descötes, Director of the Agency of French Teaching Abroad (AEFE), an agency that ensures the quality of education offered by French schools abroad, and Ms. Bettina Fischer of the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad.
Franco-Philippine cooperation in research will be the focus at the launch of a new monograph entitled “Contemporary Philippines” by the French Research Institute on Contemporary Southeast Asia on March 13. On March 15, the Kingston Blues Project, whose members include French and Filipino musicians with a common love for the blues, will perform at the M Café, to be followed by mixes from French DJ Beton.
Francophonie 2013 ends with the Spring of Poets on March 20, where Filipinos gather to share their literary works while the University of the Philippines’ Anima Choir sets the mood for poetry with music.
For more information on Francophonie 2013 in Manila, please contact Mr. Théry Béord, Linguistic Attaché of the Embassy of France to the Philippines at culturel.ambafrance.manille@gmail.com.
