Film-Screenings, Art Work display to mark Francophonie Week

Chandigarh, March 17, 2023: The Alliance Française, Sector 36, jointly with the Canadian Consulate, have announced the holding of the 2023 edition of the Week of the Francophonie from March 18 to 25. The “Francophonie Week” is the festival of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking countries, which is celebrated in the middle of March across the world.

The week-long activities would include a petanque match on the 18th at the Alliance Française parking, while on the same day there would be an artistic activity and short films would be screened during the week at the centre. The most-awaited activity would be on March 25 when food stalls from seven French-speaking countries will be set up at the centre.

Giving the details, Ophélie Belin, Director of Alliance Française Chandigarh, said, “The Discovery of a Country activity also includes culinary specialities of these countries. This is why we invited seven natives from seven French-speaking countries, Lebanon, Tahiti, Tunisia, Canada, France, Mauritius and Burundi, to share some of their specialities with the public. Different dishes will take the public on a culinary journey.”

Petanque is a French game of boules, born in Marseille in the south of France. It is a game played in teams of two against two, often with 3 balls each and a “cochonnet”, a small ball.

The objective is to score points by placing your balls closer to the goal than your opponent in relation to the ball, informed Ophélie.

“On a canvas, we have drawn symbolic elements of French-speaking countries such as the Eiffel Tower, the hibiscus, the maple leaf, and cheese. The public will be invited to colour these elements and add their own creativity in the available space.”

“Being a woman means encountering obstacles and, in this program, there are so many personalities who show us how to overcome sometimes complex situations and assert our freedoms. Meet these Affranchises, who show boldness and independence! These 6 short films (3 fictions, 2 animations and 1 documentary) are all made by women. Cycle time would be 91 minutes”, she said.

Ophélie said, “This year the theme of the Francophonie is “time” and it proposes to explore 10 words: year-light, déjà-vu, lambiner, tic-tac, synchronous, plus-que-parfait, dare-dare, rythmer, avant-jour, and hivernage. The French illustrator Armelle will propose a painting in connection with these ten words.”

There will be a special film screening of ‘Goodbye Happiness’, which has been programmed by the Canadian Consulate. The film is a Canadian comedy-drama film, directed by Ken Scott and released in 2022. The film centres on four brothers who do not get along but are attempting to set aside their differences at their father’s funeral.