Held on April 12th, the 2014 French Festival of XMU brought together native French speakers and Chinese speakers of French to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. It was arranged by the French Language Department and supported by the Dean’s Office, the International Office and the College of Foreign Languages and Cultures. This event enjoyed a substantial cooperation with the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and the French Consulate General in Guangzhou. C’est bon!

At the opening ceremony in the morning, the President Associate and Chief of the International Office, Mr. Tan Shaobin, welcomed the distinguished guests, including Mr. Bruno Bisson, the French Consulate General in Guangzhou, Mr. Christophe Bonté, Commissioner of the Science, Technology and Culture Exchange and Cooperation, as well as Mrs. Julie Marbot, Commissioner of Language and Education cooperation.

Everyone enjoyed videos showing the 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and France and some sidelights from our students and teachers in the French language Department. With Mr.Hu, Director of the French Department, as the host, Mr. Bisson remarked on the 50-years of diplomacy between China and France. He encouraged students to improve their French and to visit France. His unique sense of humor and jocularity were charming.

In the afternoon, Mr.Bonté and Mrs. Marbot, together with other French guests in Xiamen, met with our students and teaching faculty from the French Language Department. They shared with each other about “Pourquoi lefrançais? (Why we learn French?)”. Mr. Bonté introduced us the overall national and international education in France, extending an invitation to Chinese students. After this, the teachers and students showed Mr.Bonté and Mrs. Marbot our campus.Mr. Bonté gave memorial badges of the 50 years China-France relations to teachers and students as presents. They exchanged ideas, practiced oral French and deepened their mutual understanding.

In the evening we enjoyed the wonderful gala presented by the French Language Department, in which there was a contest: it was the China-France Knowledge Exchange Competition and prizes were awarded.

This Festival was a part of the 19th French Festival in China (Journée de la Francophonie). It is annually held during March and April globally to promote the learning of French language and culture, improve the cultural spread among French-speaking countries and strengthen the friendly exchange and mutual understanding of people in different French-speaking countries.

(Text by Xia Shihan and Wang Suying, College of Foreign Languages and Cultures)