DUSHANBE, March 29, 2016, Asia-Plus -- A Francophonie Week will be held in Dushanbe from April 4-10.

French is the common heritage of about fifty countries around the world, bringing together more than 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.

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.