Vanuatu to mark Francophonie Day

Vanuatu will observe the annual international Francophonie Day on March 20 with a series of activities, some of which have already started.

Ruru Gaetan, National Correspondent of la Francophonie explains the reasons for celebrating the Francophonie Day on March 20.

“Every year Francophonie Day is celebrated by Vanuatu because of the history of the country, when the two colonial powers – France and Great Britain came and went and left behind the French language and the English language and this is why the people have their bi-lingual status.

“Francophonie does not belong to Francophones nor does is belong to France. It belongs to the people of Vanuatu,” Gaetan added.

This year a Committee has been formed representing the Office of the Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs, Education, and Youth and Sports ministries, the French university opposite the Vanuatu Institute of Technology in Port Vila, Ecole Francaise, and Alliance Francaise.

As a lead up to the Francophonie Day, this year different activities are taking place including arts competition, francosonic, poems in squatter areas and languages also involving English-language schools “because under the Constitution all are both Anglophone and Francophone,” says Ruru.

There will also be discussion on Televisen Blong Vanuatu, on the theme “working and communicating in French”. Sports will mainly be soccer mix for boys and girls, which the Youth and Sports Department is sponsoring prizes.

Also there will be dictation in schools, both French and English-mediums, where students with all correct answers will receive prizes. The day will also be marked in the islands with various activities.

On March 20 in the afternoon, the Minister for Francophonie, Charlot Salwai also the Minister of Internal Affairs, will host a cocktail for invited guests.