The “Francophonie Week” is the festival of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking countries, which is celebrated in the middle of March across the world. The organizers and partners have prepared a program for the broad public, which consists of 19 events.  

French is the fifth language spoken in the world, the third language for business, spoken by more than 300 million people on five continents, and also is known as the language of diplomacy. 88 countries are members of the International Organization of Francophonie, in 29 of which French is the official language.

The Francophonie week will be launched in Bishkek on March 11 with the French movie « Au revoir là-haut » (See you up there) to be screened at 18:00 at the “Ala-Too” cinema.

The Belgian movie “Tout nouveau testament” (The brand new testament) will be shown on March 13 at 18:00 at the "Rossiya" cinema.

The French-Moorish film “Timbuktu” (the second name is “The Grief of Birds”) will be shown in the French Alliance in Bishkek on March 14 at 18:30.

The Swiss film “MOKA” will be screened on March 16 at 18:00 at the "Rossiya" cinema.

All films are in French with Russian subtitles except the film “Timbuktu” (in the original version with French subtitles). Free entry to all movies.

Francophonie week 2019 includes numerous cultural, artistic, gastronomic and sports events: the French game "Petanque", competition of French songs, French in ballet, game quest, etc.

There will also be conferences on education in the French speaking countries (March 15 at 14:00 in the Alliance française 242 Ogonbaeva street) as well as on the “Erasmus plus” programme in Europe (March 12 at 14:00, same address).

This year, for the first time, a big concert of francophone classical music will be held at the National Conservatory on March 15 at 19:00.

The detailed program is presented online on the Facebook pages of the “Alliance française de Bichkek”, the “Ambassade de France au Kirghizstan”, “Swiss Embassy Kyrgyzstan” as well as on the website of the French Embassy.

This health program financed by the Swiss government through the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC), and implemented by the Swiss Red Cross started in 2003 and was successfully implemented throughout the country.

The aim of the program was to improve the quality of medical care through the prevention and control of hospital acquired infections, as well as development and implementation of an innovative model of medical waste management.

During yesterday event, a detailed report on the results and impact of the program was presented. The deputy Minister of Health, directors of regional hospitals, the Swiss Ambassador and a representative of the Swiss Red Cross attended the event.

The results of the program are impressive. Today the hospital acquired infection control system and the new model of medical waste management have been introduced in all health facilities of Kyrgyzstan. As a result, prevalence of hospital acquired infections, in particular for newborns, pregnant women and intensive care patients have significantly reduced and the safety of patients and employees of medical institutions was improved. In addition, the project contributed to reduce emissions of persistent organic pollutants and thus to protect the environment.  

The program also developed new legal and regulatory framework, established the infection control infrastructure and improved skills of medical workers. New standards of hospital acquired infection control have been integrated into the national postgraduate and continuous medical education.