From March 9 to 18, 2023, the Alliance Française in Bishkek, in partnership with the Embassies of France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada, and the Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic, hosted the 2023 edition of Francophonie Week. Celebrated worldwide, this cultural festival honors the French language and Francophone cultures through a diverse program of 20 public events under the theme of “Travel.”
As part of the week’s educational component, the National Erasmus+ Office in Kyrgyzstan held a special session on March 13, where it presented opportunities available under the Erasmus+ Programme. Students, educators, and festival attendees received practical guidance on academic mobility, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees, short-term exchanges, and institutional cooperation projects supported by the European Union.
The session highlighted how Erasmus+ contributes to cross-cultural learning, international collaboration, and the strengthening of ties between Kyrgyzstan and Europe. Many participants expressed interest in applying for scholarships and joining academic networks through the programme.
Francophonie Week also featured film screenings and exhibitions from various Francophone countries, including:
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The Snow Leopard (France), opening film at Ala-Too Cinema
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Ella Maillart’s Extraordinary Journey (Switzerland), followed by a photo exhibition
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Canadian and Belgian film screenings on March 13 and 14 at the Academy of Tourism
By participating in this cultural celebration, Erasmus+ reaffirmed its commitment to multilingualism, international education, and creating global learning opportunities for Kyrgyz youth.
