-
.
- Ελληνικά
At a press conference held today at the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the programme of events for the celebration of the Month of Francophonie 2024 in Cyprus was presented.
The conference was attended by a representative of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and the Ambassadors of France, Greece, Switzerland, Lebanon, as well as a representative of the Consulate of Canada, which are the member countries of the International Organisation of Francophonie based in Cyprus and participating in this year's event. Through their interventions, the speakers highlighted the educational and cultural value of this remarkable institution as well as its wider significance as a means of strengthening cooperation, solidarity and intercultural dialogue.
The events of the International Francophonie Month are organized by the French Embassy and the French Institute of Cyprus, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Ministry of Culture, the University of Cyprus, as well as the Embassies and Consulates of the - member countries of the International Organisation of Francophonie based in Cyprus and other educational and social institutions. The events of the Month of Francophonie 2024 include competitions, excursions, lectures, film screenings, music and culinary events. The programme of events will start on 1 March 2024 and will run until 31 March 2024.
It is worth noting that the CFCA is actively involved in the Francophonie celebrations again this year with activities to be carried out by all levels. The Directorate of Primary Education is participating in the events for the first time this year. Those attending the press conference had the opportunity to enjoy a short musical programme of French songs, presented at the end of the press conference by children from the sixth grade of the primary school participating in the pilot French language teaching programme.
The French Language Inspectorate of the Directorate of Secondary General Education in collaboration with the French Institute of Cyprus organized this year the well-established Pancyprian School French Language Competition. The theme of this year's competition, which is addressed to students of secondary schools, high schools and technical schools, is: "Faster, higher, louder - together and in French! How are European female athletes a role model for young people?". The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 21, at 3 p.m. in the hall of the Ministry of Education.
In addition, the Hotel Branch of the Secondary Technical and Vocational Education and Training, as part of the Month of Francophonie, is organizing a gala dinner dedicated to the gastronomy of French-speaking countries. The dinner will take place on 14 March at the educational restaurant of the 3rd Technical School of Limassol, under the auspices of the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth and in the presence of the First Lady, Ambassadors of the Francophone countries based in Cyprus and other dignitaries. Presentations on the gastronomy of Francophone countries, open to the public, will also be held in the educational restaurants of the Public Schools of Technical and Vocational Education on a nationwide basis during the month of March.
The Department of French and European Studies of the University of Cyprus is organizing a competition on the theme: "Hip-Hop culture and Francophone rap". The competition is addressed to young people aged 14 and above and is supported by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. The aim of the competition is to introduce young people to French rap as contemporary urban poetry, as well as hip-hop dance as a global youth language and as a new Olympic sport, starting with the 2024 Olympic Games. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 16, at 4 p.m, at the University of Cyprus.
In her address, delivered on her behalf by a representative of the Ministry, the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr Athena Michaelidou, praised Cyprus' long-standing support for the principles and values espoused by the Francophonie, as well as the importance and significance of the French language, highlighting the policies implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which aim to make French a vibrant and dynamic language in Cyprus and to promote multilingualism. In particular, he referred to the teaching of French in all classes of secondary education as a second compulsory foreign language, the possibility of certifying students' knowledge and skills in French in public schools, the pilot programme for the teaching of French from the fifth grade of primary school, which is underway from the school year 2020-2021 in all integrated comprehensive primary schools, and the participation of Cyprus in the programme for the admission of French language assistants from the current school year.
Through these programmes, students are offered new opportunities and equipped with the necessary skills to face the challenges of the modern world, while intercultural dialogue, cooperation and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity are also strengthened, the Minister of Education said in her address.
Details of all the events of the Francophonie Month 2024 can be found at Programme of Events.
IP
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
