It's time for Semaine de la Francophonie 2019! Delhi gets all set for the French mood

The days of French culture and language are all set to return to the national capital with the beginning of the Francophone Festival from March 13 which will feature exhibitions, film screenings, theatre, live music and the much-awaited Francophone Méla.

Organised by Alliance Française de Delhi, Semaine de la Francophonie or the Francophonie week will begin on the 13th March 2019 with a tête-à-tête with Canadian author Frédérick Lavoie on countering fake news and literary journalism as a tool to counter it. At the ML Bhartia Auditorium, 6.30 pm onwards.

The festival will then move on to back to back film screenings and the inauguration of an exhibition on the next day, 14th March 2019. At 11.30 am, participants of the festival will be able to watch a Canadian drama film Mommy, which debuted at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and won the Jury Prize, followed by another Canadian movie at 2.30 pm Origami, which revolves around an art curator who discovers his ability to travel back in time following a traumatic event.

In the evening, Alliance Française de Delhi, with the support of Raza Foundation, will also be organising an exhibition titled Back from France – Living Outlines, retelling the India-France-India story through the artworks of Reji Arackal. The exhibition will be inaugurated on March 14 at 6.30 pm and will be on view till March 28, every day from 10 am till 7 pm, at the Gallery Romain Rolland.

“Since 1988, every year French speakers and Francophiles unite to promote the French language and the diversity of Francophone cultures. This will be a one of its kind experience for all those who know no bound when it comes to adapting and enjoying different cultures.” ~ Director of Alliance Française de Delhi Jean-Francois Ramon said.

On the third day of the festival – March 15 – French accordionist Noé Clerc along with an Indian Classical vocalist Ujwal Nagar and percussionist Zaheen Khan will present various ‘shades of sound’ from the musical series of Alliance Francaise de Delhi In [Chorus] to the visitors. At the ML Bhartia Auditorium from 6.30 pm onwards.

The festival will culminate on March 16 with the Francophonie Méla from 10 am till 8 pm, which will witness representatives from different Francophone countries, animating stalls all over Alliance Française de Delhi, sharing information about their cultures accompanied by delicious food from all over the world, gathers. The festivities will begin with various competitions organised for Delhi Schools students followed by a theatre play in the afternoon by the Alliance Francaise de Delhi’s theatre group.

On this occasion, an opportunity called “AFD’s got talent” is also given to the students of Alliance Francaise de Delhi to showcase their talent at their best. The celebrations will conclude in the evening with an acrobatic performance Via – A fusion of Chinese Pole and Kalaripayattu by an Indo-French performing group at 5.30 pm followed by a French DJ night by DJ Roli.