With (often dubious) French shop names, French wine and French-style bakeries dotted about the city, it’s not a secret that Japanese are French culture enthusiasts.
Whether French is your mother tongue or you’re learning la langue de Molière, this festival may peek your interest. Organized by the resourceful Institut Français du Japon, which has a well-stocked library and holds many French-language events, the latest celebrating La Journée internationale de la francophonie (International Day of Francophonie), which takes place annually on March 20.
Head out to L’Institut for various activities on that day: a theatre performance of Blanche Neige (Snow White, yes), screenings of Kirikou et la sorcière by Michel Ocelot (A French animation) and J’ai tué ma mère by Xavier Dolan (a biographical drama by the young filmmaker from Quebec), a piano recital, French karaoke and a few workshops to learn French. You can even feast on the Déjeuner Spécial, complete with terrine and a choice between cuisse de canard (duck thigh definitely sounds less classy in English) or sea bream.
Journées de la francophonie (see detailed schedule)
When: Wednesday March 20, from 11:00
Where: Institut Français du Japon (see map)
