Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the International Organisation of the Francophonie. A special committee made up of graduate students, faculty and staff came together again in 2021 to celebrate this week with the WashU community. The 2021 Francophone Week at Washington University consists of synchronous and asynchronous events that highlight our appreciation for the French language and all the countries and regions where it is spoken today. We hope these events bring together a community of people who also appreciate the cultural richness of the Francophone world.
Celebrate Francophone Week with these various events!
- Saturday 3/20 The week will start with Forum de l'Emploi Francophone: The French faculty in Romance Languages and Literatures is a partner of "Le Forum de l’Emploi Francophone en ligne" (a Francophone online job fair). This event is organized on Handshake by the Cultural Services of the Embassy of France in the United States. It will benefit our students (undergraduates/graduates) with French language skills seeking new opportunities to network with employers searching for young talent with interest and passion for the French language!
- Tuesday 3/23 Graduate Lightning Talks Moderator: Professor Julie Singer, those interested in attending can register on zoom.
- Wednesday 3/24 Q&A on Mati Diop's Atlantique with Professor Imane Terhmina, Cornell University. Atlantique is a 2019 film by Mati Diop about the lives of construction workers in Dakar who after working for months without pay, decide to leave the country. The drama is centered around a young woman, Ada, and her partner Soulemain and their struggles with unemployment, migration, remorse and lost. It is Diop's feature directorial debut.
- Thursday 3/25 Poetry reading with Baba Badji, author of Ghost Letters.
In addition, we are partnering with Olin Library with a book display of Francophone Voices and with Kemper Art Museum's exhibit featuring Franco-Morrocan artist Yto Barrada's photography in Borders and Resistance. The program will be sent by email before the event with the Zoom links and further information. Contact the event organizer, Elodie Tantet at e.tantet@wustl.edu
