March brings a celebration of the French language and culture across South China as the 30th Francophonie Month launches under the theme ‘Create, Invent, Innovate.’
The program officially opened on March 7 at the new Guangdong Museum of Art (Bai’etan) in Guangzhou, bringing together representatives from francophone countries, cultural institutions, and education organizations.
Throughout the month, a diverse lineup of events—from film screenings and concerts to talks, performances, and competitions—will highlight the creativity and global reach of the French language.
Today, French is spoken by more than 321 million people worldwide, spanning five continents.
This year’s festival celebrates the language not only as a medium of art and literature, but also as a tool for science, technology, and innovation.
Ambassador: Musical Star Zheng Yunlong
Musical theatre actor and singer Zheng Yunlong serves as ambassador for the 2026 edition.
Known for his work in musical theatre, Zheng Yunlong has long been inspired by francophone stage productions.
He describes French as a language with a unique rhythm and expressive beauty, adding that francophone culture represents
“an open, diverse spirit that encourages bold self-expression.”
Special Guests Bridging Art and Science
Two distinguished guests join the festival this year:
Mathematician Wang Hong, who studied at École Polytechnique in France and now works at the Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies near Paris, highlights how French can serve as a language of rigorous thought and scientific creativity.
Laurent Ban, a French musical theatre performer active on stages in both China and France, brings his experience of cross-cultural performance and francophone musical theatre.
Highlights Across China
Throughout March, audiences can explore francophone culture through a wide range of events:
Music & Performance
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Touring musical theatre adaptation of The Little Prince
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Concerts and the returning Mars en Folie francophone music festival
Film
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The Francophone Film Showcase, presenting contemporary films from Switzerland, Canada, Tunisia and beyond
Literature
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Events linked to the Choix Goncourt de la Chine, where Chinese university students select their favorite novel from the Prix Goncourt shortlist
Talks & Discussions
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Roundtables exploring topics such as AI, translation, entrepreneurship, literature, and digital culture through the lens of the French language.
Many events are open to the public and take place in multiple cities across China.
South China Event Highlights
Several activities will take place in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, including:
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Francophone film screenings
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Concerts and literary talks
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Cultural exhibitions and lectures
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Wine tastings and science cafés
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The regional finals of the Francophone Song Contest
Events will be hosted at venues including Alliance Française Guangzhou, Alliance Française Shenzhen, the Guangzhou Opera House, and various cultural institutions.
Explore Francophonie Month
With films, music, literature, and academic discussions spanning multiple disciplines, Francophonie Month invites audiences, whether fluent in French or simply curious—to discover how language connects creativity, culture, and innovation.
More event details will be released throughout the month via official channels.
[All images via Consulat Général De Franceã Canton]
