French language key to closer ties between Pakistan, Francophone nations, says envoy

Islamabad : The 19th edition of the Francophonie Summit was marked at the Alliance Francaise here, with diplomats and cultural leaders gathering to honour the French language and its global impact.

Originally planned for October 5, the event was rescheduled because of a security lockdown imposed in the city to manage opposition party protests. However, the delay didn't dampen spirits, as more than 300 people gathered at the Alliance Francaise to enjoy a lively day full of cultural displays, exquisite food, and interactive activities, all set against the backdrop of pleasant weather.

The event, organised with the support of the Embassy of France and in collaboration with the embassies of Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, and Tunisia, served as a commemoration of the 19th Francophonie Summit that took place in Villers-Cotterets, France, last month. It provided participants with a platform to celebrate the linguistic and cultural richness of the Francophone world and to acknowledge its role in fostering international cooperation and understanding.

Belgium, Canada, France, and Tunisia put up food stalls featuring specialities such as crepes, waffles, couscous, tajines, and coffee, providing a culinary tour of Francophone nations. A standout feature of the day was the exhibition titled ‘Olympisme & Francophonie,’ which showcased a series of striking photographs of athletes from France, Switzerland, and Tunisia who competed in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The celebration also included the screening of short films from Canada, France, and Switzerland, offering an artistic window into the diverse cultures and stories within the Francophone world. As part of the festivities, the winners of the Francophonie 2024 competition, ‘Draw Your Sport!’, were honoured in a special award ceremony.

The contest, organised by the Embassy of France, encouraged young Pakistani artists to express their creativity for sports through visual art, with the top entrants receiving recognition for their exceptional works. Diplomatic dignitaries were on hand to present awards to the winners, recognising their outstanding artistic contributions to the vibrant exchange of cultural and linguistic heritage. In addition, the event featured a lively quiz competition centred around the French language and Francophone culture, where lucky participants won goodies.

Foreign diplomats, including Ambassador of France Nicolas Galey, Ambassador of Belgium Idesbald van der Gracht, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Tunisia Dorsaf Maaroufi, First Secretary at the Embassy of Switzerland Claudia Thomas, and First Secretary at the High Commission of Canada Fenny Hum, highlighted the role of their countries in promoting the French language and Francophone culture worldwide.

Ambassador Galey underscored the importance of linguistic diversity and cultural exchange in building stronger international relationships, particularly between Pakistan and the Francophone community. He expressed his pleasure at the growing interest in the French language in Pakistan and reaffirmed the role of Francophonie in promoting global dialogue, cultural diversity, and understanding among nations. Visitors appreciated the event, noting that it highlighted the strong cultural and diplomatic bonds among the participating countries, while also paying tribute to the vibrant heritage of the Francophone world.