La Francophonie at AUK

AUK's Instructor of French Language, Joseph Fiannaca, and his students organized an event titled La Francophonie on January 14th, 2010 from 2 pm -5 pm at AUK's multipurpose room and the auditorium.

The aim was to give students the opportunity to practice French outside of the classroom with guests from francophone countries, and also to promote the French language and francophone cultures.

The event included a speech by the Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, video presentations showing the influence of French cultural trademarks in Kuwaiti society, a poem recital, a French cultural quiz and an exhibition of Francophone countries. Even though most students are beginners in the French language, they put lots of effort, enthusiasm and creativity into making the exhibition interesting and entertaining. They wore traditional costumes, offered food samples, informed visitors on tourist sites and presented famous people from francophone countries.

La Francophonie usually refers to a group of people who speak French. It is also an international organization known as the OIF, the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, composed of 63 states and governments where French is the mother or customary language, where a significant proportion of people are francophones (French speakers) and where there is a notable affiliation with the French language or culture. Every year in March, the OIF organizes an international day called La journee de la Francophonie to celebrate the French language. Last year the official celebration was held in Beirut.

For more information please contact Joseph Fiannaca at:
Tel: (965) 1802040 Ext. 414
Fax: (965) 2573 7039
E-mail: jfiannaca@auk.edu.kw

Useful Links:
www.francophonie.org
www.TV5.org
www.France24.org

Mr Olivier Deseez, the cultural counselor of the French Embassy in Kuwait
 

Mr Olivier Deseez, Mrs. Farida Omar, attache for academic affairs and Joseph Fiannaca with AUK students at the the exhibition of Francophone countries
 

AUK's Instructor of French Language, Joseph Fiannaca, and his students
 

Miss Dominique Mallarde and Mr. Francois Teillet
 

Images from the exhibition of Francophone countries that was held at the AUK auditorium