Night of Francophony - the first time in Serbia

March is considered to be the month of Francophony. Every year, 63 countries from all five continents celebrate this holiday. Serbia and Montenegro will for the first time ever celebrate the Night of Francophony on March 18, 2005 in the Belgrade "Sava" Center. Organizer of this event is French Cultural Center, together with 12 embassies (Canada, Tunis, Guinea, Egypt, Algeria, Romania, Morocco, Switzerland, Lebanon, Congo, Belgium, France), Agency SuperStar Events, general patron Societe Generale bank, numerous sponsors and partners, with special support of Serbian Ministry of Culture.

Program is directed mainly to young people who are said that Francophony is the world of variety of cultures. That's why it was decided that the main event of the night be selection of 200 advertisements (150 minutes), from all sides of Francophonic world, from famous film library of Jean Mari Bursico who we know from the "Night of Ad-eaters". The selection is composed in such way to represent reflection of artistic, economic, creative potentials of each country, variety and wealth of Francophony. Some of the ads that come from sixty countries were directed by Roman Polanski or Luc Beson.

The celebration starts in 18.30 in the hall of "Sava" Center, where each country participant will have the stand with handicrafts, cooking and tourist attractions and cultural contents (French cheeses, kus-kus, exotic landscapes, possibility of winning two tourist travels to Tunis). The spirit of Africa will be brought by Morocco's group Šalabam, which will hold mini concert in the hall after 9 o'clock in the evening. There will also be belly dancers from Tunis. Free issues of French daily newspapers will be given away. The tickets, which were for free, are long gone.

The Night of Francophony is backed by the Ministry of Culture of Serbia with provision of 10% of total price of the manifestation, i.e. €2,500. Serbia obtained status of spectator of Union of 56 countries and governments from Francophonic area, which is considered to be great success and one step closer to membership.