French-speaking communities across the world celebrate the richness and vibrancy of their cultures on the 20 March. International Francophonie Day, as it’s known, commemorates the grouping of French-speaking states by the Niamey Convention in 1970.
In recent years the Alliance Francais de Hong Kong has organised the Festival de la Francophonie which this year runs from 12 March to 3 April and features an eclectic selection of music, film, theatre, comedy and an opening lecture from Dany Laferrière.
A mini French-speaking Film Festival at the Fringe Club’s Upstairs Studio feature four films, entry is free with registration
19 March: Toujours Aventurier (Switzerland) – Screening with the alpinist J. Troillet
22 March: Petit Paysan (France) – Screening with the director
26 March: Les Rois Mongols (Canada)
29 March: Une Part d’Ombre (Belgium).
The free Mars en Folie concert at MOM Livehouse features the rock of Cherry Chérie (Canada), the electro-pop melodies of Suzane (France) and Stevans (Switzerland) and the ethnic rap of Témé Tan (Belgium).
The fourth Hong Kong French Theatre Festival features a play a day from 26-30 March at the Sheung Wan Civic Centre. Tickets are $300.
8pm, 26 March: Est-ce que j’ai une Gueule d’Arletty? (Do I have an Arletty Face?) by Eric Bu & Elodie Menant.
8pm, 27 March: Le Porteur d’Histoir (The Story Teller) by Alexis Michalik
8pm, 28 March: Signé Dumas (Signed Dumas) by Cyril Gély & Eric Rouquette
8pm, 29 March: La Cantatrice Chauve (The Bald Soprano) by Eugene Ionesco
5pm, 30 March: Tu Seras un Homme Papa by Gael Leiblang (at Bulle d’Art)
There’s also a workshop, lecture and more amidst this celebration of the French speaking world.
NB: All events are in French, some will have subtitles in English.
