Refaire le Monde – Francophonie Festival

A festival born from the 2024 Francophonie Summit

The Refaire le Monde festival was launched on March 20, 2024, International Francophonie Day, as part of France's hosting of the XIX Francophonie Summit. Supported by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in partnership with the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and the Centre des monuments nationaux, the festival took over the Cité internationale de la langue française at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts, a symbolic place where François I signed the ordinance in 1539 imposing French in administrative acts. Its highlight took place on the weekend of October 5 and 6, 2024, on the sidelines of the Summit hosted by France on October 4 and 5, 2024.

A multidisciplinary and international program

The festival offered a rich and eclectic program structured around three themes: repairing the world, reinventing the world, and re-enchanting the world. On the program: exhibitions, live shows, concerts, readings, film screenings, debates, performances, cultural practice workshops, and literary encounters. More than 40 countries and 400 organizations participated in this international event, both at the Cité and in Paris (notably Gaîté Lyrique).

Leading Francophone artists

The inaugural 2024 edition brought together major artists from the Francophone scene: Malian artist Yaya Coulibaly and his grand puppet parade, Franco-Senegalese actor Adama Diop, Armenian duo Ladaniva, French singer Zaho de Sagazan, as well as Congolese rapper Baloji. Reading cycles, contemporary dance performances, and musical creations punctuated the festive weekend of October 5 and 6 in Villers-Cotterêts.

The Cité internationale de la langue française

Inaugurated in 2023 by President Emmanuel Macron, the Cité internationale de la langue française is a unique cultural venue in the world, entirely dedicated to the French language and Francophone cultures. Located in the royal Château de Villers-Cotterêts, it hosts exhibitions, artist residencies, shows, and events throughout the year (Semaine de la langue française et de la Francophonie, Festival Paroles, Festival des Mets et des Mots…). The Refaire le Monde festival was part of this dynamic of promoting Francophonie.