This year’s edition of Francophone Week, which roared into life yesterday, continues its tradition of Zimbabwean/Francophone collaborations.
This past Thursday organisers of the two-week cultural fiesta told journalists at a presser and official reception of Francophone Week hosted at the French residency that cultural lovers are in for a treat courtesy of an exciting line up of more than 20 activities that will be graced by both local and international cultural players in live music and comedy.
The festivities include a conference, French film screenings from seven different countries all with English subtitles, an exhibition titled ‘Three Perspectives’ by locally based Greek artist Nikolaos Petras.
The exhibition, which is his first in Zimbabwe will showcase until the end of Francophone Week. Attendees can lookout for workshops, gastronomy, activities for schools in the form of
This annual event, which highlights the French language and Francophone cultures around the world, offers a platform for exchange and intercultural dialogue.
Organised by the Alliance Francaise de Harare in partnership with the embassies of France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, Romania, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Greece and Serbia the aim is to highlight the essential role played by the French language in bringing people and cultures closer together, “to promote mutual understanding and respect for differences.
“There is something for all tastes and ages, family films, dramas, romances, documentaries and even science fiction. Screenings will take place at the Alliance Francaise, and admission is completely free,” read part of a released statement.
On March 14, music will take centre stage with the Mixx Concert that will feature French accordion player Authur Bacon, Sofar Harare alumni Freed Mushaga from DRC, Afro-traditional artist Nasibo and the internationally acclaimed Afro fusion outfit Mokoomba. “As usual it’s a huge cross cultural event because we always have different artists collaborating. This year we have been a bit adventurous by trying to mix French traditional music with regional sounds in a bold cross cultural set,” Fanny Gauthier, the director of Alliance Francaise de Harare said during the press briefing. Tickets to the mix concert are US$15 advance and US$20 at the gate.
- In Full: Fifteenth post-cabinet press briefing, June 07, 2022
- Health talk: Be wary of measles, its a deadly disease
- Media challenged to expose all forms of phobias
- Health talk: Let us remain vigilant about monkey pox
Keep Reading
For lovers of comedy, on March 19, Francophone Week presents, Swiss-Zim Comedy Night: No Laughing Matter, a platform that will be graced by five comedians comprising two Swiss acts Vincent Kucholl and Vincent Veillon who will share the stage with local comics Comrade Fatso, Munya and Sharon Chideu also known as Magi Magirazi. The comedy evening will also be graced by surprise local guests.
Francophone Week will also feature a schools component with The French International School in Harare set to welcome 660 students from 44 schools from around the country as well as 88 French teachers, for a two-day celebration from March 19 to 20.
The music event is aligned with the Zim-FLE program that is run by the French Embassy in Zimbabwe. It highlights the strength of Franco-Zimbabwean cooperation and the dynamism of French learners across the country.
The Francophone Food Buffet or Buffet De La Francophonie will be on the last day of the two week event and will afford guests to indulge in a friendly and tasty journey across French- speaking countries by discovering a variety of traditional dishes.
