La Francophonie, a community of French-speaking countries, is being celebrated throughout the month of March 2023 in Kenya. The festival will feature a range of events that showcase the beauty and richness of French language and culture.
The opening event of the festival, called the “Dis-moi dix mots” competition, began on February 1st and will run until March 15th on TikTok. Participants can make videos using ten French words and stand a chance to win a one-month trip to France and improve their French language skills. This competition is organized in partnership with Lions Club International.
On March 1st, the Loya Champloo group from La Réunion Island will perform at the Alliance française of Mombasa during the opening of the Duos Festival. Their music blends genres and invites listeners to travel beyond musical borders. The group will also perform at the Alliance française of Nairobi on March 3rd during the opening of the Women Festival.
A dance genre mixing Kenyan and Indian traditions will be showcased by Nayanthara Pradeepkumar and Anuanga Fernando at the Alliance française of Mombasa on March 3rd. Kenyatta University will host the 9th French debate tournament on March 4th, where four Kenyan universities will compete on the topic of “Sustainable Development: Utopia or Reality?”
Several movies will also be screened during the festival, including “Sisters-in-Law,” which follows the State Counsellor and the Court President in their role of supporting women who are determined to end the struggles they regularly face. “Maid in Hell” highlights the reality of the numerous abuses that migrant domestic workers suffer from in the Middle East. “Female Pleasure” features five heroines from five countries who fight against gender-based violence and prejudices, and who claim their right to use their body as they wish.
Abdourahman Waberi, a Franco-Djiboutian writer, poet, and associate professor, will be the guest of honor at the festival. He will conduct a conference on creative writing, a literature discussion, and a workshop in English about the creative writing process.
The month-long festival is an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in French language and culture, to learn, to share, and to experience the diversity and creativity of Francophone countries.
