La Francophonie Comes to Guangzhou Again

Various activities are held each year around the world to celebrate “La Francophonie” (the French Language Festival). This March, the Consulate Generals of Belgium, Canada, France and Switzerland in Guangzhou will once again jointly organize “La Francophonie”. From March 12th to 23rd, linguists, writers, dramatists, and musicians from the four countries will present a series of activities in French for the pleasure of everyone in Guangzhou.

● French speech contest for GD and HK university students

The first Guangdong and Hong Kong university students’ French speech contest will be jointly held by the French Consulate General in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou and the Hong Kong French Teachers Association on March 6th, 2010.

The winners will receive a round trip ticket to Paris, and have the opportunity to participate in a two-week French language training activity in Perpignan, France.

When: Saturday, March 6th, 2010
Where: Hong Kong University
Admission free

● Opening Party of 2010 Guangzhou “La Francophonie”

Opening speeches from the Consul Generals of Belgium, Canada, France and Switzerland; French music; and four short videos introducing the four countries.

When: Friday, March 12th, 2010
Where: Guangzhou Sculpture Park, T:union (art space)
On invitation only

● Hip-hop concert

Performances given by four hip-hop bands, Labiur (Belgium), Samian (Canada), AlKTraxx (France) and Tripin (Switzerland).

When: Sunday, March 14th, 2010, 6:00pm
Where: Guangzhou Sculpture Park, T:union (art space)
Admission free

● Lecture on linguistics

Speaker: Annie-Claude MOTRON

A lecture on linguistics entitled “How to practice spoken French”, will be given by Annie-Claude MOTRON, an applied Linguist at the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (Guangwai)

(1)
When: Monday, March 15th, 2010, 4:30pm
Where: Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (Guangwai)
(2)
When: Tuesday, March 16th, 2010, 4:00pm
Where: Alliance Française of Guangzhou
Admission free (Limited seats)

● French university open-day for Chinese students

On the occasion of 2010 China international education exhibition tour, 11 French universities and institutions will meet students in Southern China.

When: Wednesday, March 17th, 2010, 9:30am to 5 pm
Where: Campus France and Alliance Française of Guangzhou.

● Talk to Camille Laurens

The Guangdong University of Foreign Studies will welcome Camille Laurens, one of the most famous French female writers.

When: Thursday, March 18th, 2010
Where: Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GuangWai)

● Literary Salon: Camille Laurens

The French novelist Camille Laurens will hold a literary salon at the Alliance Française of Guangzhou.

When: Thursday, March 18th, 2010, 7:00pm
Where: Alliance Française of Guangzhou
Admission free (Limited seats)

● Meeting Consuls Generals

The Consulate-generals of Belgium, Canada, France and Switzerland in Guangzhou will not only introduce their countries’ economy, culture and tourism but also answer the audience’s questions.

When: Monday, March 22nd, 2010, 5:00pm
Where: Sino-French College of Tourism of Guangzhou University
Admission free

● French Culture Salon

The Alliance Française of Guangzhou invites French readers, storytellers, singers, poets, and all individuals and organizations who can speak French to participate.

When: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 7pm
Where: Alliance Française of Guangzhou
Admission free (Limited seats)

● 2010 French song contest (semi-finals)

The semi-finals of the 2010 French song contest will be organized by the French Consulate General. Open to university students, they will be singing French songs and the 2 winners shall compete in the final held in Wuhan on April 17th.

When: Saturday April 3, 2010, 9:30am
Where: Alliance Française of Guangzhou
Admission free

(By Shanna Chu, Win He and David Keyton)

中文版 Chinese version

Source: Lifeofguangzhou.com

Editor: Shanna Chu