Ambassadors of the Member States of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) represented in Kuwait within the Council for the Promotion of La Francophonie in Kuwait, have announced the launch of a month-long celebrations titled ‘Month of the French Language and the Francophonie’ in Kuwait.
The Council, created in 2021, supports activities aimed at promoting La Francophonie and enhancing the use of French in Kuwait. In particular, the Council promotes the actions carried out by the International Organization of La Francophonie and French-speaking bodies, such as the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie. It also supports initiatives aimed at introducing Kuwaitis of all ages, but especially the younger generations, to the plural face of La Francophonie. In addition, the Council works to strengthen contact networks in French in Kuwait, and facilitate collaboration between various partners during activities related to the promotion of La Francophonie.
The Council held its third general meeting last week and launched the program for ‘Mois de la Francophonie’ (Francophonie Month). During the meeting, the the Council members warmly thanked His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah, Honorary President of the Council, who supports the importance of the Francophonie and the French language in Kuwait, and the country’s commitment to promoting learning this language which contributes to the cultural enrichment of the country and its inhabitants. It recalls the importance of learning French in Kuwait and the need to accompany this educational and pedagogical support with cultural programming in order to promote the exchange and daily practice of French, and to encourage the exchange of ideas. and building relationships between Francophones and Kuwaitis.
Although it is not yet a member of the OIF, and has expressed the wish to be, Kuwait bears witness to an active Francophonie that dates back to the 1960s. French has been taught in Kuwait since 1966. Nearly 500 teachers carry out this mission in nearly 150 public high schools. With approximately 30,000 learners registered each year, French is today the second foreign language taught in Kuwait, behind English. Kuwait University has a particularly active French Department, up to the master’s level. This French-speaking presence is also illustrated by the presence in Kuwait of 44 embassies of member countries of the Francophonie, a French high school (the Lycée français du Koweït), a cultural center (the French Institute of Kuwait – IFK), a research center in archeology and social and human sciences (the French Research Center for the Arabian Peninsula – CEFREPA) and the broadcasting of France 24 and French-language radio RFI.
The Council gives all lovers of the French language and Francophone cultures an appointment on its social networks to find out more about the many events being held during this month of La Francophonie, to participate in these events, and to share your impressions. On Instagram the link is: @francekoweit and @if_koweit. The celebrations were launched on Monday, 7 March and will be held until 31 March. The latest edition of the Francophonie Month, with its rich and varied programs, including films, concerts, artistic workshops, sports events, dictations, quizzes and competitions, conferences-debates, market, and other events, aims to introduce everyone to the richness of French-speaking culture and to celebrate this common language.
The month-long festival will also celebrate 10 years of the French Institute in Kuwait, which will host most of the 2022 edition for adults, teenagers and children, and at all levels — beginner, intermediate, advanced. For students wishing to continue their studies in France, the IFK welcomes you to the Espace Campus France; a complete documentation center where you will find advice and assistance to build your university project. The IFK media library provides the public with a general offer of more than 7,000 books, magazines and DVDs, for adults and children. Throughout the year, the Institut français, in collaboration with its local partners, sets up projects in the fields of visual arts, performing arts, music, cinema and literature.
For more information contact: Benoit CATHALA, Cooperation and Cultural Action Advisor – Director of the French Institute of Kuwait through email at: benoit.cathala@diplomatie.gouv.fr Mariam AFREJ, Communications, Partnerships, Sponsorship and Events Officer – French Institute of Kuwait through email: communication@institutfrancais-kow
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