Sri Lanka is set to celebrate Francophonie during the month of March 2023 with a multidisciplinary programme hosting over 20 events. Every year, on March 20, the International Day of La Francophonie is celebrated the world over, in French-speaking countries as well as in those where the French language has made its mark as they celebrate the French language and Francophonie cultures. 

Sri Lanka will host Francophonie 2023 together with the International Organisation of la Francophonie, the diplomatic missions of France, Canada, Switzerland and Egypt together with the Alliance Française of Colombo, Matara and Kandy, the French Teacher’s Association and the International French School of Colombo.

The month-long celebration will feature events centred around cinema, music, exhibition, gastronomy, literature and workshops on the French language. Here’s a glimpse at what’s in store for Francophonie 2023 in Sri Lanka:

CINEMA
Short Movies Screening
French short movie in the frame of La Fête du Court Métrage and Canadian short movies
When: 26th March 2023
Where: Alliances Françaises of Colombo, Matara and Kandy Entrance Free
Screening - French movie Edmond 
Alexis Michalik, 2018: the movie which tells the story of the writing of one of the most famous French theatre plays: Cyrano de Bergerac was screened on the 20th March 2023 at the  National Film Corporation

MUSIC
Tour of Les Monsieur Monsier
Performance by the famed duo, Laurent Brunetti and Mario Pacchioli from French-speaking Switzerland.
When: 24th March 2023 at 7.00pm (Garden Nuga – Sri Lanka Foundation Institute)
26th  March 2023 at 7.00pm (Kailasapathy Auditorium, University of Jaffna)
28h March 2023 at 6.00pm (Engineering Faculty Auditorium, University of Peradeniya) Entrance Free

EXHIBITION
Fabienne Francotte
Celebrate the French language through arts with the Belgian artiste Fabienne Francotte who will conduct workshops with a group of Alliance Française members and a class from the International French School of Colombo. 
When: 30th March – 30th April 2023
Where: Alliances Françaises de Kotte a Colombo

GASTRONOMY
Francophonic Cuisine Day at Galle Face Hotel 
A Francophonic cuisine day with a special menu for the dinner buffet organised by the Embassy of Egypt at the Galle Face Hotel, featuring different recipes of the countries that are part of the International Organisation of Francophonie.

When: 23rd March 2023 at 7.00pm onwards
Where: Galle Face Hotel

LITERATURE
Opening of the Alliance Française Library 
Official opening of the library of the Alliance Française of Colombo with the presentation of Yasmin Rajapakse’s book. 
When: 22nd March 2023 at 3.00pm
Where: Alliance Française Colombo

WORKSHOPS ON THE FRENCH LANGUAGE 
Acrostiche and Drawing workshop
A fun-filled workshop for students to brush up their French and have fun at the same time and get creative with the 10 selected words. 
When: 25th March 2023 from 10-11am. 
Where: Alliance Française Kandy
For the detailed programme and information on Francophonie 2023, visit @francophoniesrilanka on Facebook.

Performance by “Les Monsieur Monsieur”
The Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and the Maldives together with the International Organisation of la Francophonie will be hosting a theatrical performance of French and Swiss songs across three key cities in Sri Lanka with the view of celebrating Francophonie 2023, the annual celebration of the French language and Francophonie cultures with "Les Monsieur Monsieur", the famed duo Laurent BRUNETTI and Mario PACCHIOLI from the French-speaking Switzerland. 

The tour is comprised of original and popular songs, also referring to the great works of the French and the Swiss composers, creating and bringing back memories through their unique theatrical interpretation. The language barrier disappears, and the audience is propelled by the words, emotion and energy of the Artistes. 

The duo will also conduct master classes at selected University venues and for its students. Laurent BRUNETTI was exposed to music and theatre from a young age marking his career path. Accompanied by a solo piano or a symphony orchestra, BRUNETTI brings to life the lyrics and melodies of a theatrical performance. With five albums to his credit, he also writes for other artistes and is actively working to link theatrical art with a musical performance. Mario PACCHIOLI began his classical training as a pianist and opera singer at the age of 7. With a Golden record in Switzerland and four albums to his credit; it is at the Musicians Institute of Technology of Hollywood (Los Angeles) that PACCHIOLI developed his art, having also trained as a theatre actor in France. His latest musical creation "Remas" pays tribute to his mother tongue Romansh. PACCHIOLI is recognised for his symphonic work for orchestra, voice and choir.