Sharjah hosts exclusive preview of ‘Destination Francophonie’

The UAE episode features on a docuseries ‘Destination Francophonie’, by renowned journalist Ivan Kabacoff, which has been created to take viewers on a captivating journey around the world, interviewing locals from different cities around the world who share a great love for the French language. 

In the episode previewed in the emirate are 3 French-speaking UAE nationals residing in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, who demonstrate their fondness for French language and culture, while taking viewers on a unique journey of Emirati culture and community life.

The host, Kabacoff, interviewed Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi, President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation; Sheikha Rad Alqasimi, Executive Department of francophonie relations; and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi student Ahmed Alameeri, who speaks four languages. 

The selection of Sharjah as the host of the popular French series is a testament to the emirate's enduring status as the cultural capital of the UAE and its unwavering efforts led by the Department of Government Relations (DGR) in Sharjah to foster strong cultural relations with cities and countries around the world.

Over the years, DGR's relentless efforts yielded tremendous recognition and feats, including establishing an Alliance Française branch in Sharjah and South Korea establishing the regional headquarters of their prestigious King Sejong Institute in the emirate.

The exclusive event began with keynote speeches by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, and Her Excellency Nathalie Kennedy, Consul General of the French Republic in Dubai.

Sheikh Fahim said: “For decades, Sharjah and France have enjoyed a fond friendship. The inclusion of Sharjah into the global network of the Alliance Française is a significant milestone that highlights the strong bond between us. The ways in which the governments of both sides have put in strategic and concerted efforts to promote linguistic, artistic, cultural and scientific exchange, underscores that leaderships and governments have a vital role to play in bridging cultures of the world.”

He added: “I would like to extend my gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for making culture and language central a way of life in our city that positioned the emirate as the cultural capital of the UAE and the wider Arab world. We are proud to host the exclusive preview screening of ‘Destination Francophonie', and it comes as no surprise that Ivan would pick our vibrant Emirate as the backdrop for his wonderful docuseries.”

For her part, HE Nathalie Kennedy, Consul General of the French Republic in Dubai, said: “I am delighted to be attending this preview screening in Sharjah - an apt stage for the event, which boasts a proud history of being home to the UAE’s first French school, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, and recently inaugurated a branch of Alliance Française. Destination Francophonie is a well-known programme, who’s new episode celebrates the diversity in the UAE and how around 400,000 French language speakers reside in it. I would like to thank DGR for organising this screening, as it builds on the strong bonds between Sharjah and the French Republic.”

The event's highlights included unveiling the TV5Monde trailer and the first part of the documentary. It offered a captivating glimpse into the lives of two Emirates residing in Sharjah and Dubai and their fondness for French culture and language.

This was followed by a video call with Kabacoff, who engaged in a Q&A session with the attendees. “Recording in the UAE has been a beautiful experience, especially Sharjah, which has exquisite locations and scenery that blends modernity and the rich heritage and culture,” he told his audience. 

The event continued with the screening of the second part of the documentary, focusing on university student Alameeri, and exploring the capital’s natural beauty.

Following the exclusive preview, the Emirati student Alameeri, who attended the screening, engaged in a vibrant discussion with the attendees, describing his experience in the university and showcasing the natural beauty of Abu Dhabi and the UAE culture.