A diverse crowd of international schools, francophone Africans and members of the Ugandan hiphop community gathered at Alliance Française in Kamwokya, Kampala, on Saturday March 19th to enjoy a wide range of French-inspired activities.
The event was put on in partnership between the Embassy of France to Uganda, Alliance Française, and Breakdance Project Uganda. BPU organized student workshops and performances in dance, music, art, poetry and theatre with Gayaza High School, Interaid Refugee Centre and the Makerere French Club.
Bus loads of uniform-sporting students arrived in the early hours of the afternoon, including École Française, Aga Khan High School, Taibah International School, City Parents’ School, and many others. Parents came to watch their children perform, and enjoy the French cuisine and drinks available outside by the main stage.
Inside, classrooms were converted into edutainment centres representing the “four corners of the Francophone world.” There were dance classes in the West Africa room, and speed-dating in the European room, among other fun activities. Upstairs, French animated film “Adama” was screened on rotation, and on the rooftop, dance groups practiced their moves before taking to the main stage.
After sunset, most of the families with young children left and were replaced by local music fans who enjoyed performances by Ugandan rappers Abramz, Lady Slyke, Yallah, and St. Nellysade, as well as Congolese rappers Cruz, Lebon and Sapiens.
In addition to introducing guests to French culture, the event also explored the themes: gender equality, peace and reconciliation, and the environment.
“Youth and French Language Day was a successful collaboration between Breakdance Project Uganda and the French Embassy,” said BPU director Abramz Tekya. “Together we encouraged Kampala youth to embrace both positive social change and French culture.”