27TH EDITION OF LES RENDEZ-VOUS DE LA FRANCOPHONIE!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

	Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie unveils its 2025 edition!   Ottawa, October 16, 2024 – The Dialogue Foundation is proud to unveil the premier features of the 2025 Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF)! Every year, the RVF, which is organized by the Foundation, is held from March 1 to 31 and celebrates the vitality of the Francophonie from coast to coast to coast.    Theme   The theme of the 27th edition of the RVF is “Cultivate your roots!” This theme highlights a vibrant culture that is unique to each person and is created and renewed through experiences and knowledge. Culture forges strong bonds between families, communities and generations, just like a network of living roots that are interconnected and growing.     Spokespersons     The programming will reflect our quest to learn about and recognize the various communities that make up Canada’s Francophonie. Entertainer Garihanna Jean-Louis, the first Black woman to graduate from the École Nationale de l’Humour, will share her incredible energy to the Francophone communities in our country. Nova Scotian musician and storyteller Guyaume Boulianne will share his love for Canada’s Francophonie and his knowledge through various RVF activities.     Cross-Canada tours   The RVF comedy tour is back and promises a night of laughter and surprises you won’t forget! These French comedy shows, most of which will be hosted by Garihanna, will give you a chance to discover comedians from Canada’s Francophonie and from your neck of the woods, including Ryan Doucet (N.S.), Jérémie Larouche (Que.) et Evelyne Roy-Molgat (Ont.).      Guyaume will be travelling to several Canadian provinces to host The Music of Trécarré on Tour. There are two components to the event: 1) a screening of the documentary Trécarré: Exploring the Saint Mary's Bay Sound, produced by the National Film Board (NFB) and directed by Natalie Robichaud, and 2) a performance showcasing the music from that region. Guyaume will also be giving school workshops in which he discusses linguistic insecurity and leads song- and poetry-writing exercises. Dates are limited, so register for the workshop today!    Programming   In addition to organizing the in-person tours, the RVF offers many virtual activities on the RVF site.      The NFB has six free programs, featuring documentaries and shorts for both kids and adults. You can register now for the program your school or organization would like to screen in March!      Also be sure to check out the “School Programs” section of the RVF site, where you’ll find learning activities, music, quizzes and TV shows, all in French.   Stay tuned, because, over the next few months, the RVF will be announcing more activities and new rewarding partnerships as well as unveiling the official RVF poster. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop!     Contest   As always, the 2025 RVF will also include several contests. In fact, a new contest was launched just today! Il était un poème invites the general public and school groups to share their passion for poetry and slam poetry by writing an original text. The goal of the contest is to embrace artistic and cultural expression, celebrate diverse literary and spoken styles, raise awareness about linguistic insecurity and promote budding artists in Canada’s Francophone communities. You have until December 20 to enter!       Microgrant program   The RVF will be awarding some 50 microgrants to non-profit organizations that want to hold an activity to celebrate the Francophonie between March 1 and 31. Grants of $1500 to $2000 will be given to eligible organizations that have filled out the application form by November 25, 2024. Spread the word in your network!    Quotes    “Through our dedicated, sustained efforts, the Dialogue Foundation team has cultivated a 2025 edition of Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie that is rooted in the needs and aspirations of Francophone communities. We constantly strive to sow new ideas and to innovate in order to offer initiatives that not only celebrate but also nurture the diversity and vitality of Canada’s Francophonie.”   — Ajà Besler, Executive Director, Dialogue Foundation.