“FRANCOPHONIE – 2026”: A TRIUMPH OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
On April 4, 2026, the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan hosted the Grand Finale and awards ceremony for the winners of the extensive “Francophonie – 2026” festival. This celebratory event was a key highlight of the large-scale festivities, which this year were held under the motto “In Motion” (“En mouvement”).
Gulshat Yusupova, Rector of the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, Chief Specialist of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, Ezizmuhammet Mammedov and Philippe Merlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Turkmenistan, addressed the participants with welcoming remarks. It was noted that the annual celebration of International Francophonie Day on March 20 has become a cherished tradition, contributing to the strengthening of cultural and humanitarian ties between countries.
The 2026 festival program was rich and diverse, featuring competitions in singing, dictation, and essay writing, as well as a French Language Olympiad for schoolchildren. The event was organized by the French Institute at the Embassy of France and the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with the support of the diplomatic missions of French-speaking nations – including Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, and Canada, as well as the Embassies of Armenia and Ukraine, and the Delegation of the European Union. The high status of the event was further underscored by the sponsorship of leading international companies such as “TotalEnergies”, “Bouygues Turkmen”, “Boutique de Paris”, “Eurocosmetics”, “Lacoste”, “La Tartine”, “Swiss Best”, “Alliance”, “Le.Travel”, and “Dessange International”.
The competition saw active participation from students, schoolchildren, and learners from the French Institute. Driven by a passion for the French language and culture, the participants demonstrated not only profound linguistic knowledge but also exceptional creative talent.
All the winners of the creative and intellectual competitions were officially awarded with diplomas and souvenirs from the festival’s organizers and sponsors.
“Francophonie” is more than just a creative competition; it is a unique platform for immersion into the rich world of French culture and the exchange of experiences. These events represent a significant step in popularizing French language study in Turkmenistan and have elevated the cultural dialogue between our nations to a qualitatively new level.
Selbinyaz TASHLIYEVA,
the 4th-year student of the Faculty of International Relations
of the Institute of International Relations
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.