Francophonie Festival Highlights Growing Saudi-French Cultural and Educational Ties

The Francophonie Festival celebrated the diversity of the French-speaking world and its growing academic and cultural ties with Saudi Arabia at the consul general’s residence in Jeddah on Sunday.

Participants at the event included ambassadors and consuls general from Francophone countries, alongside representatives of diplomatic missions from member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie, including Tunisia, Morocco, Chad and Lebanon, as well as representatives of school clubs and Saudi universities.

Students from Effat University and the French section at King Abdulaziz University also participated in the celebration.

French Language Strengthens Saudi-French Cooperation

The evening opened with remarks by France’s Consul General Mohammed Nehad, who described Francophonie as a platform for dialogue, cultural exchange and shared values.

He highlighted the role of the French language in strengthening Franco-Saudi cooperation, particularly in education, culture and academia through institutional partnerships and student mobility programmes.

“We celebrate every year the Francophonie. The aim of this evening is to bring together all Francophones. We are not in a country where French is dominant, so we have to make our link closer with the whole community,” said Nehad

He said schools remain central to promoting the French language in Jeddah, pointing to partnerships with institutions including Jeddah International School, the French International School and other local schools, alongside the work of the Alliance Francaise.

“For us, it is to celebrate French because it is one of the well-practiced languages around the world, in every continent, in Africa, Europe, Asia and also in America and Canada. It is not only a language, it is also a culture.”

Cultural Performances Showcase Francophone Diversity

The programme featured poetry readings from Martinique and Ghana, musical performances in French and Arabic, and songs in Lebanese, Tunisian and Chadian dialects.

Guests also enjoyed performances on the qanoon, organ and guitar, while Senegalese dancers added a festive atmosphere to the evening.

Nehad said this year’s edition focused on giving nonprofessional performers and community members a platform to express their connection to Francophone culture.

“The artists performing today want to express their love for Francophonie. They are not professional artists, but people doing this as a hobby, and maybe that gives a more natural feeling of this Francophonie.”

Student Exchange Programmes and University Partnerships Grow

He also highlighted ongoing academic partnerships between French institutions and Saudi universities, including collaborations with the University of Jeddah and the University of Business and Technology.

Every year, students from King Abdulaziz University travel to France for summer language programmes. Nehad said:

“I would like to make this practice more routine. Learning French is a big opportunity because it broadens your horizons and can open the way for new studies and research.”

Saudi Students Encouraged to Learn French

Sara Succari, marketing director at Jeddah International School, said the school has been involved in Francophonie activities for nearly three decades through its French section.

“We have two departments, a French department and an English department, and that’s why we are here participating in the Francophonie with the consulate. We have had a French section in Jeddah for more than 28 years.”

Succari said the school includes many Saudi students in its French-language programmes and described multilingual learning as increasingly important for younger people.

“It is important to see more people in Saudi Arabia speaking French. Many of our students are part of the French department and speak the language fluently,” she said.

She added that learning French helps students broaden their academic and cultural opportunities while making it easier to learn other languages.

French Language Skills Linked to Tourism Growth

Dr. Mohamed Aref, professor at the French section at King Abdulaziz University, said interest in language studies among Saudi students continues to grow, particularly as the Kingdom expands its tourism sector under Vision 2030.

“The Saudi youth give huge importance to the French language. English is good for business, but French is for culture.”

Aref said students are being encouraged to use French-language skills in tourism, hospitality and cultural exchange initiatives tied to Saudi Arabia’s plans to welcome millions of visitors in the coming years, including during the FIFA World Cup.

“We are preparing them to speak very well, to translate and to accompany groups on sites. For a lot of business jobs here, French is very important,” he said.

He added that the university has agreements with French institutions, including the University of Toulouse, where Saudi students spend one to two months during the summer to improve their language skills and immerse themselves in French culture.

“Every year we receive about 60 to 80 students. They return with a strong immersion in French culture and way of thinking, while also developing a deeper appreciation of their own culture.”

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