The sixth edition of La Francofête, organized by the Faculty of Arts’ French Language Centre (FLC), will run from March 14 to March 27. Unlike last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to become an entirely online affair, this year’s event is set to feature mostly in-person events on campus.
“This year marks – finally – the return of the in-person festivities,” said Natallia Liakina, Director of the FLC and one of the organizers of the event’s organizers. “La Francofête will be an excellent opportunity to meet in person and celebrate all these initiatives aimed at bringing French to life on campus.”
During the two-week event – which coincides each year with the Journée internationale de la francophonie on March 20 – students and staff will have the opportunity to celebrate and share their love for the French language, discover francophone culture and improve their language skills by taking part in a wide range of contests and activities.
“We are delighted to be able to count among the participants not only McGill departments and associations, but also francophones and francophiles from all four Montreal universities,” Liakina said.
This year’s highlights include:
- “Comment ma carrière a décollé”
Thursday, March 17 at 5:30 p.m., Arts 160
Organized by the FLC, in partnership with the Career Planning Service (CaPS), the event features three young alumni who will meet current students for a roundtable-style discussion on how they use French at work. The event is open to all students who are intermediate/advanced learners of French and francophones. - Rallye de la Francofête
Friday, March 25, at 2 p.m. (in person)
Organized by the FLC and now in its fourth edition, the Rallye is an Amazing Race-style event in downtown Montreal in which students will discover the cultural and historical aspects of Montreal. There will be six challenges in six key locations downtown. It’s open to all students currently learning French and francophones in the McGill community. Reserve now; space is limited. - “Le temps d’une pause”
Friday, March 25, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (on Zoom)
Presented by the Association des étudiant.e.s en littératures de langue française, en traduction et en création inscrit.e.s aux études supérieures de l’Université McGill (ADELFIES), the 14th edition of its annual literary conference will focus on the use of pauses in literary and poetic texts, and in speeches. The event will include a conversation between professor and poet Laurance Ouellet Tremblay and Carole David, writer-in-residence at the Département des littératures de langue française, de traduction et de création. · - “Raconte-moi une histoire”
(Deadline for submissions is March 21)
Do you have a story to tell? Do it in French! Raconte-moi une histoire is a writing contest for all students who are learning French. The FLC is partnering with Le Délit, who will publish the winning text. Prizes include two “Expériences Montréalaises” gift baskets and a “Made in MTL” gift basket.
Get the complete list of activities for this year’s Francofête.