Library to celebrate Francophonie culture for third year

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Francophonie culture is being celebrated at the Strathmore Municipal Library later this month, partnering with the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) and Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS) for the third year running. 

“It is the first year that we are sort of officially hosting from the library in partnership with them, so we have just taken a little bit more of an active role in the program, but in the end it will be hosted by the CPF,” said Laura Henderson, assistant director of the library. “It is going to be an afternoon of French food, a story time with a local French author, Melanie Lawson, and then a little jellybean dance just to keep the fun going.”

The event is in celebration of the French speaking community. The group of parents involved are part of the local chapter of the CPF – many of whom are parents of students engaged in French immersion education.

Henderson added the group has approached her with several opportunities to feature French language and culture through the library, including a book club type of program.

This particular event, taking place March 21, she explained is akin to a party celebrating the French speaking community. 

“They are trying to make it an annual thing … they just like to have a consistent date that they are doing the celebration (for) the French speaking community, as well as bring attention to the French immersion program at Brentwood,” said Henderson. “International Francophonie Day is March 20, which is why they like to ruin it at mid-March, around that time.”

Francophonie Day, notably, is a unique celebration, separate from Bonhomme de Carnaval, which is a winter celebration that takes place in February. 

Because the carnival is celebrated through Brentwood, Henderson explained the library wanted to do something different in celebrating Francophonie Day. 

“They (the CPF) have had a lot of growth, to the point that it is a small committee, and they needed an actual physical space to host these activities, and we are sort of a natural relationship there,” she said. “We had some space and some resources; I love hosting authors in general, so having a local French speaking author is extra exciting. It was a very natural partnership.”

Registration for the event is encouraged such that the library will be able to anticipate the number of attendees, however anyone is welcome to drop in should they be interested.