French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy on Friday highlighted the critical role of the Alliance Française de Dhaka in strengthening bilateral relations, describing them as “solid, durable, and sustainable.”
She also thanked the people of Bangladesh for their support over the past 65 years of the French language and cultural organization’s presence in the country.
“The presence of the Alliance Française in Dhaka in the last 65 years is remarkable,” the ambassador said, while speaking at the celebration of the organization's founding anniversary at its Dhanmondhi premises.
“The multiple networks between artists that have been created, that have established bonds between our countries, between the lively, and active people of our two countries is beyond any expectation,” she said.
“And this is all because everybody knows France tries to be the best friend of culture and arts. But your country Bangladesh has in its DNA this honor and reverence to art and culture.
“So, these two civilizations meeting through the Alliance Française is the best of what one can expect of a bilateral relation between two countries, because it is so solid, so durable, sustainable and cannot be broken,” she said.
“It cannot be broken, because regardless of our opinions—be they philosophical, political, dietary, or religious— culture is there in between us as a very solid bond.”
“So, my main message is to thank you, the people of Bangladesh, for supporting all the activities that we have been giving to you, not only learning French language, but also providing so many different kinds of cultural inter-exchanges between your artists and our artists in so many different areas. Without the support and the enthusiasm of all of you, this would not have been possible,” she said.
Alliance Française was founded on July 21, 1883 in Paris by a group of renowned humanists like Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Jules Verne, Armand Colin with the objectives of reinforcing friendship and solidarity between people through the promotion of the French language and cultural projects.
In Dhaka, it began its journey in 1959.
The organization offers a wide range of French courses for all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Students can also take official French language certification exams such as DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française) and DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française).
These certifications are internationally recognized and can be very beneficial for those wishing to study, work or immigrate to a French-speaking country.
Lutfey Siddiqi, international affairs adviser to the chief adviser of Bangladesh, and François Grosjean, Director of Alliance Française de Dhaka, were present, among others.
