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Kundai Marunya Arts Correspondent
Locally-based Congolese rhumba music outfit Diamond Musica is headlining this year’s Francophonie Cultural Festival, with a performance scheduled for Alliance Francaise and Chez Zandi Restaurant on Saturday.

The week-long annual festival in celebration of cultural diversity which spans the French-speaking countries present in Zimbabwe including Belgium, Canada, France, and Switzerland kicked off with the screening of award-winning French film “Qu’ est-ce qu’on a fait au bon dieu” (Serial Bad Weddings) at the Alliance Française’s in Harare and Bulawayo.

Victoria Falls will begin its inaugural festival today with a musical concert by Retro. Swiss Embassy communication officer Richard Nyamanhindi said they chose Diamond Musica because of its rich French music.

“Diamond Musica have always been great music ambassadors in Zimbabwe. They are also popular and widely-celebrated in the country. They will host this year’s biggest event at the Francophonie Festival,” he said. Besides film screening at different venues, the festival also host various activities including a French dictation competition hosted by the French School in Harare, an Education Fair at the Alliance Française and a live music concert and karaoke from Gasy M’Vazo, Retro and Erica Ravaivosoa.

Francophonie Festival is celebrated across the world. Alliance Francaise in Harare director Jacques Montourcy said the Francophone world covers vast space.

“Francophonie Week is, as always, the occasion all over the world, where we seek to raise awareness of the cultural and human diversity of the Francophone world.”