Today we celebrate the International Day of the Francophonie
20 March 2022 News
Every year on March 20 we celebrate the International Day of the Francophonie - on this date in 1970 the first intergovernmental structure of the Francophone countries was established - the Agency for Cultural and Technical Cooperation, which grew into today's International Organization of the Francophonie (IOF).
Bulgaria joined the Francophonie in 1991 as an associate member and two years later as a full member. Bulgaria's participation in the Francophonie is a political priority, based on traditional linguistic, educational, and cultural ties, as well as on shared values and interests.
During these 30 years Bulgaria has shared its experience in teaching French, acquired within the national network of bilingual high schools with French, received assistance in teaching French, whereas six French departments operate in Bulgarian universities, and Sofia hosts two international structures of the Francophonie - the Specialized Institute of the Francophonie in Administration and Management (ESFAM) and the Francophonie Regional Centre for Central and Eastern Europe (CREFECO).
Bulgaria actively participates in the Francophonie by supporting the preservation of cultural and linguistic diversity, promoting democratic governance and respect for human rights, and contributing to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.