Canadian Embassy donates books to a group of the French Institute in Doha within the Francophone Week

Doha, March 17 (QNA) - As part of celebrations of the Francphonie Cultural Week in Doha, the Embassy of Canada to the State of Qatar today donated twenty books written by French Canadians to the library of the French Institute and will be available for borrowing for all residents in Doha. The donation was made in the presence of the Canadian Ambassador Andre Dubois and French Ambassador Jean-Christophe Peaucelle. They include the classic books of Canada such as Bonheur d'occasion, (The Flute) and L'histoire de Pi (Life of Pi). The Canadian ambassador said the books are a beacon of the Canadian literature and we are pleased and proud to share these books with Doha residents and hope that everyone would take advantage of these great works, adding "that they are also evidence of our ability to display our culture through the Francophonie". For his part, the French ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Embassy of Canada for the donation, noting that these books are a window on the culture of the Francophone here in Doha, explaining that the library of the French Institute is the way for the transfer of the culture of the French-speaking world to those interested in reading in French in Qatar, and plays an important role in the promotion of the French language in Qatar. The Francophone Cultural Week, which includes many cultural and artistic events, was launched yesterday and will continue until 22 March. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), known informally and more commonly as La Francophonie (or, more simply, Francophonie is an international organization representing countries and regions where French is the first ("mother") or customary language; and/or where a significant proportion of the population are francophones (French speakers); and/or where there is a notable affiliation with French culture. The organization comprises 57 member states and governments, three associate members and twenty observers. The term francophonie (with a lowercase "f") also refers to the global community of French-speaking peoples,4 comprising a network of private and public organizations promoting special ties among all Francophones.5 In a majority of member states, French is not the predominant native language. The prerequisite for admission to the Francophonie is not the degree of French usage in the member countries, but a prevalent presence of French culture and language in the member country's identity, usually stemming from France's colonial ambitions with other nations in its history.(QNA)