SFU’s 13th edition of Printemps de la francophonie: A month of free activities to celebrate Francophonie

Under the theme of bien-être (well-being), this 13th edition will take place on SFU’s campuses (Burnaby and Vancouver), as well as various locations in the Greater Vancouver area, including some online. This year we offer a variety of activities that will be good for the heart, body, and soul.

Whether you speak French or not, all your senses will be engaged with the cultural and interactive activities. Throughout March, the Gourmet Route (a first this year!) will showcase francophone cuisines. Visit one of the participating restaurants to awaken your taste buds to new flavours.

Our must-see movie nights—all presented with English subtitles—will take you on a journey through time and emotions. Simone: Woman of the Century (March 2^nd) will highlight the exceptional journey of Simone Veil in her fight for the rights of women and AIDS patients. The Québécois film You Will Remember Me (March 14^th) will address Alzheimer’s disease and society with humour and emotion. La cordonnière (March 21^st) will also be premiering. This movie tells the story of Victoire Du Saut, founder of the cobbler’s business that made the Dufresne family’s fortune in Montreal. In addition, a dozen French-language feature films will be available to view online for free in the comfort of your own home throughout the month of March.

Several concerts are also on the program. Élage Diouf, master percussionist and singer-songwriter of Senegalese origin, will be performing at SFU Woodward’s on Friday, March 24^th.

To conclude this 13^th edition of Printemps de la francophonie, there will be an Open Mic night which will showcase franco amateur artists (music, singing, poetry, comedy), followed by a performance by Narcisse—an electropop band from Québec. This event will take place on Thursday, March 30^th at Beaumont Studios.

Le Printemps de la Francophonie also features a variety of conferences held in French on different topics. The themes of attachment and the role of sexuality in relationships will be addressed during a conference by psychotherapist and sexologist Marie-Pier Gilbert (presented in a hybrid format on March 7^th). A discussion with Wendat multidisciplinary artist Louis-Karl Picard-Sioui will also take place in collaboration with the Colloque en études francophones de la côte pacifique (March 25^th).

The Plurilingualism, Pluriliteracies, and Sociomaterialities: Between Research and Practice symposium (March 11^th) will pay tribute to Diane Dagenais, professor emeritus at the Faculty of Education at Simon Fraser University. Nine guest speakers from six Canadian institutions will reflect on Dagenais' contribution to the world of education. "She cared deeply about people and the role of education in addressing inequalities, and her ultimate contribution to research was to build a better world," said Cecile Bullock, Faculty of Education at SFU. The symposium will be held in French.

“PDLF provides a unique opportunity to discover the francophone cultures represented in our vibrant local communities. Whether you speak French or not, we welcome you all to take part in this month-long celebration,” says OFFA Director Gino LeBlanc. He also highlights the exceptional contribution of nearly thirty community, university and government partners who make the PDLF a must-attend event that goes beyond the borders of British Columbia. 

We would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes of the Government of Québec, the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills of British Columbia, and the Université de Sherbrooke.  

Special thanks to the various collaborators: ACFAS, Alliance Française de Vancouver, Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver, Official Languages Committee of the Federal Council of B.C., Conseil jeunesse de la C.-B., Fédération des francophones de la C.-B., Festival du Bois, Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, Radio-Canada C.-B., Réseau-Femmes C.-B., RésoSanté C.-B., Société de développement économique de la C.-B., Visions Ouest Production, and to SFU: the Departments of French, History, and Political Science, the Faculty of Education, SFU Woodward's.