On March 20, 1970, the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation was born in Niamey, Niger, which later became the International Organization of La Francophonie. This date has since been chosen as the International Day of La Francophonie. Today, this event celebrates a language spoken worldwide by more than 321 million people, with an estimated 600 to 700 million speakers by 2050. French is the fifth most spoken language in the world (after English, Chinese, Hindi, and Spanish) and the fourth most used language on the Internet.
This year, the International Day, which includes the Week of the French Language and La Francophonie from March 17 to 20, is focused on youth and reflects on the role of Generation Z in facing contemporary challenges and their ability to imagine and build more inclusive and peaceful societies. The theme chosen is “Generation Peace?” to highlight the initiatives, commitments, and solutions brought forth by young people for dialogue, social cohesion, and peace.
Events Around the World
Around March 20, hundreds of events are organized to showcase the diversity and vitality of La Francophonie on all five continents. The Nakivale Refugee Settlement in New Congo, Uganda, is organizing a masterclass dedicated to 6th grade students, youth, and teachers on the theme of artificial intelligence to celebrate the French language through innovation and technology. Romania is also a key player in the event with multiple events in cities like Gaesti, Arad, Sibiu, Galati, Targu Jiu, and Constanta. In Hungary, the French Institute is hosting a festive and Francophone event with concerts, meetings, visits, screenings, cinema, tastings, and exchanges in French. In Puerto Madryn, Argentina, the French book club “Francophiles en tribu” offers a space for meeting and sharing around the reading of Francophone authors. On March 20, the next reading will be Laura Alcoba’s novel “Le bleu des abeilles.”
