On Saturday, March 20, International Day of Francophonie, the Cultural Center of the Lycée Français de New York, in partnership with the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) in Paris and New York, and the Center for Francophonie of the Americas, held a special free live concert on our Facebook page.
The concert featured exceptional women who, in their country, in their lives, are resistance fighters or pioneers, and use their talent to sing loud and clear about their place in the world.
We can start with our MC for this concert, the French journalist Aline Afanouké, who is anchor for France Inter’s 7-9, a morning show followed by 6 million listeners. She will introduce Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary General of the OIF, and each of our musical artists, hailing from France, Quebec, Senegal or Tunisia. The singers belong to this immense community of La Francophonie–300 million people in 88 countries–which celebrates every March 20th the joy of sharing the French language and passion for culture.
For Emel Mathlouthi, a Tunisian, New Yorker by adoption, who chooses to sing in Arabic, La Francophonie is, “beyond the language, a cultural and artistic sharing“. She joined us live from Paris her home during the confinement.
For the young Senegalese rapper, Moonaya, who sang live from Dakar, the Francophonie “is the bridge between 14 African countries from Senegal to Guinea“. Raised by a mixed-race mother with a love of French, introduced to African culture by her father, she grew up in a pluricultural melting pot that the students at the Lycée Français de New York know well.
Voyage en Francophonie features exceptional women who, in their country, in their lives, are resistance fighters or pioneers, and who use their talent to sing loud and clear about their place in the world.
And what can we say about Yseult, the iconoclastic revelation of the Victoires de la Musique, the equivalent of the Grammys, crowned “Female Revelation of the Year,” (Best new female artist), whose voice catches our attention and whose fashion intrigue, courtesy of Thierry Mugler, (but yes of course!) delights, us. She says … damn the “grossophobes” and the reserved ones. She is the new French voice, young, diverse, different, empowered. And she sang for us on March 20! Quelle chance !
Last but not least our friend Mino Cinelu, already known to the Lycée, who will be beating his drums to animate this live moment, joining these powerhouse female voices in Creole, a French-speaking bouquet of the most extraordinary composition.
All who tuned in from across United States, Quebec, France and Africa will discovered the talent of our musical youth, our Primary choir under the direction of Michèle Coladonato, and that of our lycée hopefuls under the direction of maestro Remy Loumbrozo, our Secondary music teacher. The future French-speaking generation is already on track!
Broadcast live : “Voyage en Francophonie”
Saturday, March 20th from 5pm to 6pm, ET
Cultural Center Facebook page.
In partnership with l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and le Centre de la francophonie des Amériques
About the Author :
Pascale Richard joined the Lycée as director of the Cultural Center in 2011, where she aims to bring the best of French and American cultures through conferences, concerts, films and various events. In the fall of 2012, she launched the school’s Artist-in-Residence program. Pascale was previously Vice President of External Affairs at the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF). Her background is in journalism and writing with a focus on lifestyle and fashion. She is a graduate of Sciences-po and holds a master’s in journalism from New York University.
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