DUSHANBE, April 2, 2013, Asia-Plus -- A Francophonie Week has been launched in Dushanbe today. 

French is the common heritage of about fifty countries around the world, bringing together 220 million speakers worldwide.  Francophone refers to all persons who use French as their mother tongue, spoken language, administrative language or chosen language.

The event dedicated to the French language, the Semaine de la Francophonie, along with the International Day of the Francophonie, is an international event held every year, Bactria Cultural Center in Dushanbe says.

Established in 1998, the event is an opportunity for hundred countries to celebrate French language as well as their diversity.  With over 2500 events listed each year, the Semaine de la Francophonie reflects the vitality of the French language and the dynamism of the French cultural network abroad.

Initiated by Bactria Cultural Center, the Embassy of France in Dushanbe and the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan, the Francophonie is being celebrated in Dushanbe this year again. 

“Indeed, the Semaine de la Francophonie is a highlight of the annual cultural program of Bactria Cultural Center and of the promotion of French language and culture in Tajikistan.  The 2013 edition takes place after Navrouz, from 2 to 7 April 2013.  The program includes several events: theater, music concert, Francophone Film Festival and many other events planned throughout the week.  A true moment of encounter and exchange between students, professors, journalists and other connoisseurs of the French language through activities related to French culture and literature,” press release issued by Bactria Cultural Center said.

The event reportedly begins with the Francophone Film Festival, which is being held in the premises of Bactria Center from April 2-5.  The festival focuses on a selection of French short films with different themes.  The two key events of the week will be represented by the duo NOGA / Patrick Bebey, in concert on April 6 at the National Conservatory and Eric de Sarria, who will stage and interpret his show “A Taste of Millefeuille" on April 7 at the Mayakovsky Theater.

Alongside these two representations, French artists will mentor several workshops during the week (theater of objects workshops, video workshop, singing workshops, jam sessions).

The Semaine de la Francophonie will also be the opportunity to gather French language teachers of Tajikistan during the annual meeting that will be held in Dushanbe on April.

Furthermore, the French students are invited to participate in two competitions organized within the framework of the Francophonie: the writing contest "Dis-moi dix mots" rewarding winners with various prizes and scholarships contest for a one-month stay in CLA Besancon (France) that will take the form of a DELF exam, Bactria Center said.

French, which is the 9th most widely spoken language on the planet, is an official language in 32 countries.  French, the only language other than English, spoken on all five continents.  French is the 2d most studied language after English.  French is the 2nd most widely spoken native language in the European Union and the 3rd most widely used language on the Web.