Members of the organising committee of the 2012 Francophone Day celebration in The Gambiarecently briefed journalists about the celebration of the international day of Francophone which will kick off today at Alliance Française along Kairaba Avenue.
The committee members were drawn from the embassies of France and Mauritania, PAFEG- project for support of French Language, French Teachers’ Association (FRETA), Alliance Francaise, Saint Francophone Association and Complexe Cultural Mauritania
The celebration according to the officials will last up to March 25th 2012 and will commence with the launching of Francophone 2012.
As part of the celebration there would be a dance show by Fatou Cisse from Senegal and Niger’s Mamame Sani.
Similarly, mini classes for adult and kids, launching of Alliance Francaise website, opening of three art exhibition, official opening of FRETA new office near stop step pharmacy building, Kairaba Avenue and Francophone festival at UTG-Gambia College Brikama.
In addressing the press ahead of the celebration, Director of Alliance Francaise Banjul office, Didier Martin said the French language and the values of solidarity and dialogue of the cultures carried by the Francophone are celebrated all around the world on March 20th, International Day of Francophone.
“For this edition, the official celebration will be organized in London, city host of Olympics, where Trafalgar Square will liven up in colours and in sounds of the Francophone in the presence of Abdou Joof the General Secretary of the Francophone.
Mr. Martin went on, the International Organisation of the Francophone (OIF) called on the French speakers of the whole world to express itself on the theme “French is a luck”.
The Project co-coordinator of PAFEG Mr. Youssef Arrif said PAFEG is here to give support to French language.
He said that PAFEG project supports the teaching of French language from Lower Basic School to University level, thus we also support mass media because as Mr. Arrif, put it French language is not a difficult language.
“We are working with the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE) and other actors like FRETA and the University of The Gambia digital campus and FRETA is one of our closet partners” Mr. Arrif stated.
Dr. Sylvie Colley from UTG digital campus brief ed journalists about some of the programs to be hosted by UTG-Gambia College campus as part of the celebration.
Others speakers at the press briefing were the Mr. Sulayman Jabbie President of the French Teacher’s Association-FRETA,Mr. Bayba Muhammad from complexes cultural Mauritania and Adama Talla from Saint Francophone Association.