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The tradition of holding events devoted to the French language and culture was formed four decades ago and has now become a movement uniting 75 countries, 56 of which are member-countries of the International Organization of the Francophonie, 16 are observers, and three are associate members.

Today more than 220 million people on the five continents speak French, and to 68 million French is their mother-tongue (the term Francophonie refers to the global community of French-speaking peoples).

In Armenia the month of Francophonie this year will feature more than 25 events, such as musical, theatrical performances, literary events, films, fairytale days, student events at Yerevan’s four higher educational institutions, contests as well as a variety of events for children studying French at more than 30 schools in Yerevan.

French Ambassador to Armenia Henri Reynaud says besides cultural the program also includes scientific and sporting events.

“Among this year’s challenges is to organize more events than were presented to Francophonie participants’ attention last year,” the ambassador told the press.

The Francophonie ambassador to Armenia, Christian Ter-Stepanian, is also adviser on Francophonie issues at the Armenian Foreign Ministry, says the program has become part of Armenia’s cultural life.

“This month of Francophonie is a unique cultural tradition and has become an important meeting place for university thought and naturally we are happy that it is now anchored in Armenia’s cultural and academic life,” says Ter-Stepanian, adding that one more Armenian university, namely the State Teachers’ Training University, will join the current four (the Yerevan State University, the French University of Armenia, the State Linguistic University after Valeriy Bryusov and the State Engineering University of Armenia) as a member of the Francophonie international organization.

He also says that a program of in-depth study of the French language at comprehensive schools will soon be launched in Armenia (French is currently taught at more than 200 schools in the country as a second foreign language.)

“We are currently discussing the possibilities of starting in-depth study of French at ten Armenian schools, two of which are in Gyumri [Armenia’s second city], the rest are in the capital. Our experts are working on the project and the classes might start in September 2012,” says Ter-Stepanian.

On Tuesday (March 20), International Day of Francophonie, the French version of the Armenian National Assembly’s official website (parliament.am) was presented.

Parliament Speaker Samvel Nkoyan said that the translation of the NA history, functions and structure had started a year before, and the French version of the site was “the National Assembly’s gift to French-speaking readers on the occasion of International Day of Francophonie.”

Armenia has been actively cooperating with the International Organization of the Francophonie since 2008, when Armenia was granted Associate Membership (until then it had been observer since 2004), and has permanent participation in its events be it in Armenia or abroad.

This year Armenia will be granted full membership of the organization.