The official opening of the "Francophonie - 2026" festival took place in Bishkek, focusing this year on the theme "Women and Francophonie." The evening began with a performance by French pianist Christine Fonglupt, who arrived specially from Paris.
High-ranking guests attended the opening ceremony, including the French Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nicolas Fay, the European Union Ambassador to the country Remy Duflo, the Swiss Ambassador Siroko Messerli, as well as the Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic Askar Madaminov and the President of the French Alliance in Bishkek Guzel Ishenova.
Opening the evening, Nicolas Fay emphasized the importance of Francophonie as a cultural phenomenon:
- The opening of "Francophonie - 2026" is a point of pride for us. Francophonie is not just a concept, but a reality. The French language ranks fourth in the world by the number of speakers, with about 400 million people.
The ambassador noted that interest in the French language continues to grow:
- It is the second most popular foreign language, studied by about 170 million people. It is especially encouraging that among them are the youth of Kyrgyzstan — schoolchildren and students present in this hall.
He also thanked the teachers:
- Your efforts make the French language relevant and in demand.
Addressing the theme of the festival, he added:
- This year we focus on women, their significance in art, society, and shaping the future.
The European Union Ambassador Remy Duflo took a poetic approach, referring to the works of Alphonse de Lamartine:
- Allow me to recall the lines: "Will we never be able to drop anchor even for one day?" These words reflect the desire to pause and reflect on the present.
He continued:
- This tension between movement and the desire to preserve the moment permeates culture.
According to him, Francophonie is associated with the ideas of unity among different cultures:
- Like the European project, it seeks to unite cultures, creating a space for dialogue.
Duflo emphasized the importance of openness:
- In a world where isolation is increasingly evident, it is important to maintain curiosity and respect for differences.
The Swiss Ambassador Siroko Messerli noted the symbolic nature of the current year:
- For us, 2026 is special — exactly 30 years ago, in 1996, Switzerland became a member of the International Organization of Francophonie.
He emphasized that Francophonie represents more than just a language:
- It is a space for developing cultural, scientific, and political ties, where respect and knowledge exchange are important.
Messerli added that Francophonie unites more than 80 countries:
- It is a dynamic community based on the values of diversity and dialogue.
He also announced cultural events from Switzerland:
- This year we will present a tasting of Swiss wines, a fashion show, and musical events — culture is the best way to communicate.
The Deputy Minister of Culture Askar Madaminov emphasized the significance of the festival:
- I congratulate everyone on the opening of Francophonie. This festival unites people through culture and shared values.
He noted the role of art in strengthening ties:
- Such events contribute to the development of cultural cooperation.
Madaminov highlighted the symbolic nature of the musical opening:
- Music is a universal language understood by all. Christine Fonglupt's performance was an important part of the program.
He added:
- We are glad that such events are held not only in Bishkek but also in Osh.
The President of the French Alliance Guzel Ishenova focused on the theme of the year:
- This year's Francophonie is dedicated to women, who are sources of strength and inspiration.
She invited Kyrgyzstanis to learn the language:
- The doors of the French Alliance are always open. The French language is the language of culture and opportunities.
The highlight of the evening was the concert by Christine Fonglupt, an internationally renowned pianist. Her program featured French classical music.
Her performance was characterized by delicate interpretation and deep emotionality, which was warmly received by the audience, setting a high artistic standard for the festival.
Francophonie-2026 will continue in Bishkek and Osh with a series of cultural and educational events uniting different countries and cultures.
