Francophonie Festival seals celebrations with more than fashion
The afternoon began with guests indulging in French cuisines from various French-speaking countries, with stalls representing nations such as Lebanon and France.
A group picture of students representing different countries during the Francophonie festival at Ecole Francaise International de Kampala. Photo by Hajarah Nalwadda
The closing of Francophonie activities over the weekend proved to be a vibrant celebration of culture, cuisine, music, and fashion.
Held at the International French School of Uganda in Lugogo, Kampala, the picnic-style event spoke volumes about the richness and diversity of the Francophone world.
The afternoon began with guests indulging in French cuisines from various French-speaking countries, with stalls representing nations such as Lebanon and France. The culinary experience set a lively tone for what would become an unforgettable cultural showcase.
Music soon took centre stage as Burundi’s Royal Drums troupe delivered an energetic and captivating performance.
At one point, members of the Burundian community in attendance were invited to join in, dancing and drumming alongside the performers, adding an interactive and celebratory spirit to the event.
The fashion segment followed, transforming the venue into a runway of cultural expression.
Models showcased traditional attire from across the Francophone world, with vibrant kitengi fabrics from countries such as DR Congo, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Senegal stealing the spotlight.
Elegant ensembles from Morocco, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Tunisia, and Algeria also drew admiration from the audience, highlighting the diversity of styles within the Francophone community.
Meanwhile, at the National Theatre, the Belgian Embassy in Uganda in collaboration with the Kampala Music School hosted a classical concert as part of its Francophonie Month celebrations.
The event was headlined by Belgian-Ukrainian tenor Vladimir Delone, who performed a repertoire of French melodies and operatic arias. He was accompanied by Paul Luggya, the organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe.
Delone’s performance was a testament to his artistic journey. He pursued classical vocal studies in São Paulo in 2018 and earned his first solo role in 2022 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège.
After pausing his musical career in response to the war in Ukraine and training as an ambulance worker, a 2024 encounter with Pakistani musicians reignited his passion for music.
Overall, the Francophonie celebrations over the weekend were a lively and enriching experience, bringing together people through shared appreciation of culture, art, and heritage.