The Francophony Month 2022 at Alliance Francaise Ottawa
Francophony Month is an opportunity for Francophones and Francophiles around the world to come together and celebrate the richness of the French language. The Alliance Francaise Ottawa was no exception to this rule as one of its purposes, is to be a center for sharing and discovering culture by organizing several activities.
Digital technology was put to good use during this period, first of all in the context of an international speak dating, event held online, in collaboration with AFs from Colombia, Mexico and Nigeria. An event during which nearly a hundred participants had the pleasure of exchanging in French and talking about Francophonie.
Reading enthusiasts were able to join EUNIC and the Belgian Embassy in Canada for a virtual discussion on the latest novel by Belgian writer Amélie Nothomb, Premier Sang. It was a great way to celebrate the Francophonie and European literature.
Also, Internet users joined us for another fun and educational online activity under the theme: Why Quebecers have an accent, with Geneviève Breton from maprofdefrancais.ca. This activity allowed everyone to learn about the historical and linguistic reasons for this form of French.
Every opportunity is good to practice French, even when doing something as simple as having a cup of coffee: this was the purpose of the AF’s online discussion café.
Other face-to-face activities helped to regain the momentum of socializing and meeting interesting people that was not possible during the period of confinement.
When one thinks of a bar or pub night, one is less likely to think of a learning opportunity. But that’s what AF Ottawa did by organizing a French pub night in Ottawa. About thirty French learners and Francophiles had the opportunity to meet and exchange during this pub night which is a recurring activity of the Alliance.
The premises of the Alliance Francaise Ottawa were open to welcome the participants to the evening screening of films proposed by the National Film Board of Canada as part of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie. This film sequence was followed by a debate on the Francophonie and identities: whether you are of French, Canadian, South American, Nunavummiut or Burkinabe origin, the French language allows you to break down barriers and interact with other cultures, and even discover similarities that strengthen relations between different peoples.
Our March program ended with a very successful performance of Marguerite Duras‘ play La Douleur, performed by actress and director Maud Andrieux in front of 70 delighted spectators. It was a moving play, rich in emotion, full of life for theater lovers and connoisseurs of French literature.
The Alliance Francaise Ottawa would like to thank all those who participated in the activities of the month of the Francophony and look forward to seeing you on Saturday, April 23rd for an Open House.
Marie Clémence Brou, Communications and Marketing Manager, Alliance Française Ottawa