DHAKA: A week-long Francophonie Festival will begin Thursday in Dhaka and Chittagong to celebrate the French language and the International Organisation of Francophonie.

The seven Francophone diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, together with the Alliances françaises, are offering an elaborate program of activities in the two major cities in Bangladesh throughout the week.

The 2014 Bangladesh Francophonie Week/Semaine de la Francophonie au Bangladesh 2014, aims at celebrating the French language and the cultural diversity of the Francophone community, while promoting the shared values of “La Francophonie”:  respect for the rule of law and human rights, gender equality, solidarity, and cultural diversity.

French is spoken by 220 million of individuals worldwide, and it is the official language of 32 countries. Every year, on 20 March, the International Francophonie Day, the French language and the values of solidarity and cultural dialogue promoted by Francophone countries are celebrated throughout the world, and especially in the 77 member countries of the International Organization of "La Francophonie".

On this occasion, a joint Press Conference was held at the Alliance Française in Dhanmondi yesterday (11 March, 2014)  to formally launch the Francophonie Festival, an annual week-long program to celebrate the French language and the International Organisation of Francophonie.

The press conference was addressed by Heather Cruden, High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh, Mahomud Ezzat, Ambassador of Egypt to Bangladesh, Michel Trinquier, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh, Said Kasmi, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Morocco in Bangladesh; Abdulla Khalifa AA Al-Fadala, Diplomatic Attaché, Embassy of Qatar in Bangladesh, Caroline Trautweiler, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and Nguyen Quang Thuc, Ambassador of Viet Nam to Bangladesh.

The weeklong programmes include screening of the wide-range of films from the seven countries at the two alliance francaises, concerts and “Tell me 10 words” exhibition.’’

On March 15, at Alliance française de Chittagong, primary school students will play with the French language around the exhibition "Tell Me 10 Words ", and be presented the shared values of the Francophonie.

On March 20, at the Ecole Française Internationale de Dacca (EFID), students will create paintings with French, English and Bangla text, illustrating 10 words chosen to describe the school.

On March 20, at the Canadian Trillinum School (CTS), students will set up booths displaying information about the geography, demographics, and culture of Canada, Egypt, France, Morocco, Qatar, Switzerland and Vietnam, and prepare a world map of Francophone countries.

Kirikou’s Grandfather says that the story of Kirikou and The Sorceress was too short, and proceeds to tell more about Kirikou’s accomplishments, and how tiny Kirikou became a gardener, a detective, a maker of pottery, a merchant, a traveler and a doctor.

BDST: 1750 HRS, MAR 11, 2014