Francophonie Festival: Francophonie values deeply rooted in Lebanese history, culture – Lebanese Ambassador
Lebanese Ambassador, Maher Kheir, has noted the strong historical and cultural links that Lebanon and the Francophone community share.
He made the observation when the Embassy of Lebanon held a remarkable music and arts show dubbed “Francophone Voices” to commemorate this year’s Francophonie Festival.
In line with activities for this year’s Francophonie Festival, which is annually held by the Francophone Ambassadors Group in Ghana to celebrate the International Day of Francophone, the Lebanese Embassy organised this event to discover talents, strengthen cultural co-operation and promote Francophone values.
The event brought together over 50 contestants competing in various art forms such as singing, dancing, and poetry in the presence of several Francophone Ambassadors and the diplomatic corps in Ghana, the media, celebrities, as well as an audience of Lebanese and various nationalities, especially from French-speaking countries.
Contestants competed in front of a competent jury comprising celebrated Grammy nominee singer, Rocky Dawuni, Lebanese Singer, Laura Khalil, Author of “Du sable dans les yeux”, Patricia Ekaba, Head of Secretariat for Francophone Affairs, Ministry of Education, Tchitchi Kondo-Ayiga, Faculty Member at the Department of French of the University of Ghana, Samuel Buabeng, and Opera Singer, Guy Bertrand.
Categories for the competition included the Young Poet, Young Writer, Young Singer, Video Maker and Adult Francophone Idol.
In his opening remarks, Mr Kheir, who is a also President of the Group of Francophone Ambassadors, observed the similarity between Lebanese and French values.
“This evening, like every year, we celebrate together the International Day of the Francophonie. We celebrate its cherished values, including diversity and freedom of expression. These values are deeply rooted in our Lebanese history and culture,” he noted.
He emphasised the significance of language, especially French, to human and cultural integration.
“Despite the linguistic diversity in Lebanon, in addition to ethnic and confessional diversity, the French language retains a melodious voice that plays anthems of love, hope and freedom in the conscience and soul of the Lebanese people,” he said.
Mr Kheir stressed that Lebanon was the “cradle of the Phoenician civilisation, and as history or myth says, invented the alphabet and crossed the seas with their Cedar wood ships, opening up to other civilisations”.
He added, “This is manifested today among the Lebanese by their mastery of several languages and their presence throughout the world.”
The Ambassador explained that the “Francophone Voices” competition reflected the diversity of Lebanon and the French-speaking cultures which were so rich and diverse.
Mr Kheir commended the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) for being a strong advocate of multiculturalism and diversity.
He paid tribute to founding French scholars whose contribution to knowledge across various fields have shaped society.
BY TIMES REPORTER
