Kerala - Kozhikode   

French flavour for Kozhikode too

KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode residents will have a feel of the Festival of France in India though the city is not an official venue for the event, according to Brigitte Maury, Project Manager of Lycee Francais of Puducherry, one of the oldest French academic institutions, functioning in 152 countries.

Ms. Maury, who is in the city to attend a programme organised by the Department of French at St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, said an exhibition and film screening would be arranged in the city during the Festival of France.

These were meant to give the city residents a flavour of French culture and arts in response to the enthusiastic response of students here to learn French, Ms. Maury pointed out.

Ms. Maury said the programmes in the city could be organised by Jitendra Sharma, Head of the Department of French in St Joseph’s College.

“Bonjour India” comprises 100 events to be staged at 18 cities across the country from this month till February 2010.

It features about 250 artists, designers, researchers and entrepreneurs.

“It is France’s most significant rendezvous with India…. It will reflect the richness of Indo-French friendship,” said Ms. Maury. There will be exhibitions, concerts, literary and cinematographic events, artistic meets, debates and conferences.

Ms. Maury visited St. Joseph’s College and spoke on the opportunities for higher education offered by French institutions across the world. There is a special course in sciences in Puducherry for English-speaking Indian students. Students from standard VIII are selected through a test and interview. After four years, the students will acquire ‘Baccalaureat Scientifique,’ an internationally recognised qualification. A majority of the teachers of the school are from France. The French government offers various scholarships for deserving candidates.

On the occasion, she released ‘Bonjour Devagiri!’ the journal of French Students’ Club, containing articles and poems by French students. Fr. Mathew Baby Kalarickal, Principal of the college, presided.

Dr. Jitendra Sharma welcomed the audience.

Later, Ms. Maury visited Devagiri CMI Public School and was welcomed by Fr. John Mannarathara, Principal.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

French flavour for Kozhikode too
Entries invited for poetry award
MT presents award to Kavalam
Painting contest for students today
Excise control rooms opened for festival
Award for scribe
Award for Collector
Jail term for blocking railway track
Raids: VACB to submit report

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu