Alliance Francaise de Kotte popularizes the learning of French

By Steve A. Morrell

Ambassador for France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives Eric Lavertu told the media recently that Alliance Francaise ( AF) was operative not only in Colombo but also in Kandy, Matara, and now Jaffna as well. Its functions were to popularize French culture in Sri Lanka and teach French to Sri Lankans who wished to learn the language.

AF was established in Sri Lanka in 1954 in Colombo, 13 years later in Kandy, in Matara in 1997, Jaffna in 2004 and Galle in 2007.

After these centers were established, AF De Kotte defined its tasks as the teaching of French language, organizing cultural events and activities promoting civic, social and environmental responsibility and engendering Francophone culture.

Ambassador Eric Lavertu further said AF is the largest cultural NGO in the world and has an international network of some 832 branches operating in 131 countries. Already about 597,000 students learnt French in these countries.

He said 24,800 cultural events were viewed and participated in by approximately 3.2 million people. On average 68 events per day.

He introduced the new coordinator to take office at AF, Bruno Duparc.

The new coordinator said Sri Lanka was not new to him. He had served with the embassy as a young person and was quite familiar with the country, its culture and its diversities.