It is during this month, on 20 March, that the world marks the International Day of Francophonie, which is intended to be an opportunity for Francophones and Francophiles to share moments of conviviality around the French language and Francophone cultures. La Francophonie represents one of the biggest linguistic zones in the world. Its members share more than just a common language. They also share the humanist values promoted by the French language. The Alliance Française du Cap, located at 155 Loop Street in central Cape Town, has adopted a markedly diverse vision to celebrate all things French and Francophone on a continent boasting the rich cultures of countries, which used to be former French colonies.
Image
Several events have been prepared with the central theme of ‘Encounters of Peoples and Mixing Cultures’. This includes a literature café, film screenings, musical evenings, talks, debates, exhibitions and a few other items. The events will all take place at the Alliance Française du Cap premises where French language lessons has for a few years enticed South Africans to dig deeper into this European nation’s cultural components. The programme will also focus on academia, as CampusFrance South Africa will launch on 24 March. This is an agency, which promotes scientific and academic international mobility and works as a vehicle in establishing inter-university partnerships between French institutions and those based abroad. The result is long- or short-term exchange of students, collaboration in research projects, joint degrees and various other educational exchanges that would benefit the two establishments, and even more so, the two respective countries as a whole in terms of socio-economic development.

The programme’s African focus includes a ‘Discover Madagascar’ evening on 17 March. This will be hosted by the Consulate General of Madagascar in Cape Town andpromises a dress parade showing the traditional outfits from different ethnicities. There will also be traditional music, poems in Malagasy and French and a snack tasting to get acquainted with local cuisine.

'Shosholoza Express' by German filmmaker Beatrice Möller is an African touch closer to home. It interrogates South Africa’s racial prejudices that still exist in a post-apartheid era. Its synopsis reads: “As the film travels through modern metropolises, destitute townships and endless landscapes, it tells a tale of lasting resentments, inner divisions and lingering prejudices. All the passengers are on the same train, going in the same direction, but not all are in the same compartment.”

Also on show is ‘My African Family’, a documentary by Swiss-German director Thomas Thümena. It is described as a “tragic-comic love story where money, a coup and dead monkeys cause commotion in daily life”. It delves into the relationship of a cross-racial couple determined to stick together, despite their differences as European and African.
Image
Interestingly, there will also be a Spanish film season at the Alliance Française du Cap that will start with the launch of a French-Spanish love drama. Staying close toAfrica, mixed cultures will be explored on 23 March with singer Loïc Painaye hailing from Reunion Island. This will form part of the many celebrations, which contributed to the inscription of Maloya, the traditional music of Reunion, into the Unesco World Immaterial Heritage in 2009. There will also be food tasting of the finest delicacies from La Reunion Island. Other musical offerings are from French chanteuse/actress, playwright, businesswoman, music icon and motivational speaker Danièle Pascal who has for years entertained South African audiences with great French café songs.

Lise Garnier will appear with a cabaret that is an energetic cocktail of songs, trombone and recital. This multi-talented artist will present her own fantasy lyrics while interpreting masters such as Jacques Brel, Claude Nougaro and Edith Piaf. Last but not least, Zez band, which comprises five musicians led by Guy Belle and four dancers, arrive from the Seychelles with sounds influenced by Polynesian, Arcadian and Indian music.

Visual artists have their space at the festival too. Issa Watt from Ivory Coast will exhibit his metal art sculpture. Geneva-based Vanessa Safavi is a conceptual artist, which hosts the sole event that is not based at the Alliance Française du Cap. Safavi works with found objects and her creations frequently deal with memory and origins. Her latest exhibition opens on March 23 at Blank Projects Gallery at Woodstock, Cape Town.

The writings of French literary star Marie Darrieussecq will likely gain a broader audience after this festival. She has been described as a young woman who has proven her love for demanding literary fiction and has established a unique writing style displayed in seven published novels. The event will be in partnership with the Book Lounge.

Needless to say, there will be a wide choice of French and Francophone cultures to savour at this festival of Francophonie.

Journalists who are interested in covering this event or would like to interview the organisers should contact Candice Jansen. The full programme and booking details is available on www.alliance.org.za.