ShareBy Christine Susan Shine
KUWAIT: The Month of Francophonie 2025 concluded on a grand note on Wednesday evening at the French Residence in Kuwait. Two weeks of cultural events ended in a ceremony hosted by French Ambassador to Kuwait Olivier Gauvin, attended by dignitaries, diplomats, educators, and cultural enthusiasts.
The highlight of the evening was the address delivered in French by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah, which showcased his enduring commitment to Francophonie.
In recognition of his longstanding contribution, Sheikh Nasser was named Honorary President of the Council for the Promotion of Francophonie in Kuwait - a title given in light of his pioneering efforts to promote the French language and Francophone values since the 1980s.
Sheikh Nasser called French a “language of reason and beauty” and praised its global influence in education, law, diplomacy, and the arts.
Speaking to Kuwait Times, Ambassador Gauvin encouraged people in Kuwait not to hesitate about using French when speaking with natives. He emphasized in his speech the significance of student exchange program initiatives put forth by French International Baccalaureate (BFI) aiming at broadening access to global higher education opportunities.
Recent discussions with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot included plans to expand student exchanges and joint cultural initiatives with Kuwait, Ambassador Gauvin said. “We are confident that the upcoming visits of His Highness the Amir and the Crown Prince to France will further deepen our ties,” he added.
The ceremony marked the culmination of more than two weeks of vibrant cultural, educational, and artistic events held across Kuwait under the banner of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). This year’s celebration, which ran from April 13 to April 30, reflected the richness and diversity of Francophone cultures, while reinforcing Kuwait’s deepening ties with the French-speaking world.
Sheikh Nasser praised the efforts of the embassies, institutions, and educators who collaborated to make the Month of Francophonie a success. He also reiterated Kuwait’s aspiration to become a major cultural and artistic hub in the region - open to the world’s cultural treasures while committed to preserving its own identity.
“French is not merely a language; it is a vessel of intellectual, legal, and philosophical heritage,” Sheikh Nasser stated in his address. “Here in Kuwait, we are determined to create an environment where French and the values of La Francophonie flourish.”
Ambassador Gauvin highlighted the strong Kuwaiti French partnership on the educational front. “More than 50,000 Kuwaiti students currently study French in public schools alone,” he proudly stated. A dedicated conference on the teaching of French in Kuwait was held earlier at the French Residence, bringing together representatives from public and private schools, universities, and language institutes.
The Month of Francophonie 2025 mainly addressed two timely issues: the intersection of health, climate, and pollution; and mediation in the context of the energy transition highlighting the Francophonie’s engagement with global challenges.
Other standout events included the Francophone Film Festival, that featured cinematic works from Armenia, Romania, Egypt, France, and Morocco, along with a special evening dedicated to emerging Kuwaiti short films.
A literary evening was held at the National Library of Kuwait where renowned writer Gilbert Sinoué engaged with local audiences. A poetry night at the Belgian Residence, an art exhibition at the Egyptian Embassy and a Francophone Diwaniya hosted by the Moroccan Embassy further enriched the program by emphasizing the cultural ties between countries.
Quoting Nobel laureate Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, Ambassador Gauvin concluded: “Francophonie is a space for dialogue and exchange, a place where cultures meet and enrich one another.”
