This is a cultural festival that brings all the French speaking countries of the world together in a spirit of oneness that evolves from the similar linguistic culture. This is mainly a performance oriented festival in which all the countries that have French as the national language take part. The francophone countries comprise many countries from Europe and Africa besides France.

The festival presents theatre, dance, music and many other branches of art from all these countries. The festival was the brainchild of Peter Debauche, the 1984 director of National Dramatic Center of Limousin. So the International Francophonies festival of Limousin started in 1984 and from then on it came a long way not only to include performances but also conferences, workshops and other learning activities in theater and performing arts. This festival was visualized as a stage for the French artists from all the francophone countries to meet and interact with each other. It was conceptualized as an opportunity for exchange of ideas and knowledge between these artists.

In 1901 the association law for FIFL was formed. The aim of the association was to popularise the French Theater Arts. It promoted all kinds of learning and teaching activities of all the performing arts. It made it a point to encourage the upcoming artists. Their creative instincts were promoted to a great extent.

This unique festival of French theater and performing arts is now conducted every year during the last week of September or the first week of October. This is one of the major events in Limousin. Some of the performances are free for all. The organizers found it fit to take the festival to a place other than the French capital, Paris. The festival brought a multitude of visitors and art lovers to Limoges during the festival. It served to boost the economics of the area to a great extent, especially, when its porcelain industry has lost its shine a bit.

The festival was originally construed as a much needed support for the French theater, dance and music. It sought to bring together the artists of all the French speaking countries together for an improved learning experience in the concerned arts. But from the year 2000 to 2006 the festival organizers under Patrick Le Mauff began to concentrate on workshops on theater. Scholarships were arranged for the new writers in order to encourage them to come and stay in Limoges and engage in writing.

The 2016 edition of the event is scheduled from 21st September to 1st October. Several new generation artists have acquired an opportunity to showcase their art during this year’s Francophonies. Besides these, many internationally acclaimed artists are also expected to perform. In short, Festival of Francophonies in Limoges is the largest stage for linguistic as well as artistic French world.

 by Marina Chernyak