SFU's Printemps de la francophonie: Spotlight on our communities!

Under the theme "Lumière sur nos communautés" (Spotlight on our communities), this edition - offered in a hybrid format - proposes a variety of unifying, enriching, and entertaining activities that will take place on the SFU campuses (Burnaby and Vancouver), and online.

"It was important for us to once again create a safe and rich time for the community to gather and share," says OFFA Director Gino LeBlanc. He adds that "the digital component also allows us to maintain links with communities in other provinces and to cultivate the sharing of stories, knowledge, and passion - in French - across the country."

Whether you want to go to the cinema or watch a good movie from the comfort of your living room, French Movie Time offers a selection of French and Quebec films available in both formats. During the first week of the PDLF, the French production Lost Illusions (V.F. Les illusions perdues), nominated 15 times for the 2022 César awards, will be presented at SFU Woodward's on Saturday, March 5 at 7:00.

The vitality of the French language and cultures, diversity, and reconciliation will be discussed during several activities, including a virtual round table with four panelists including the Commissioner of Official Languages, Raymond Théberge, and the Director of Indigenous Education and Affairs at Capilano University, Miranda Huron, on Monday, March 21, at noon. The community will also have the opportunity to meet the author of the book Kukum, Michel Jean, during a literary discussion at the SFU Fletcher Challenge Theatre on Friday, March 11 at 7:00 pm.

Personal and professional development workshops and activities are also scheduled throughout March. The panel discussion entitled "Living with an individual struggling with addiction: How to help without forgetting yourself" will be held at SFU Harbour Centre on Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. and will bring together five university and community stakeholders to discuss addiction challenges. The Bilingual Job Fair, Thursday, March 17 at 11:30 a.m., will be held in a virtual format to allow a large number of bilingual individuals to meet with the 15 or so participating employers.

Another highlight of this month's festivities, the contest Ma thèse en 180 secondes, Western Final, to be held online on March 30 at noon, will be an ideal opportunity for graduate students to perfect their oratory skills.

With the safety of members of the public and speakers in mind, Laurence Gagnon, OFFA's Events and Communications Coordinator, says, "We are fortunate at SFU to have access to beautiful venues that allow us to safely accommodate large groups of people."

OFFA would like to mention that SFU's Printemps de la francophonie is made possible thanks to the support of the community, university, and government partners who make this a must-see event that goes beyond the borders of British Columbia.

We would also like to acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes of the Government of Quebec, the Ministry of Advanced Education of British Columbia, and the Université de Montréal. Special thanks to the various collaborators: ACFAS, Alliance Française de Vancouver, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Conseil jeunesse de la C.-B., Consulate General of France in Vancouver, Fédération des francophones de la C.-B., Festival du Bois, Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, Radio-Canada C.-B. Yukon, Réseau-Femmes C.-B., Visions Ouest Productions, and to SFU: the Departments of French, History, and Political Science, the Faculty of Education, SFU ArtsLIVE, SFU Public Square and SFU Woodward's.