It is a place destined to become “the beating heart of the French-speaking world”commented the Minister of Culture, Rima Abdul-Malak. The International City of the French Language is inaugurated, Monday October 30, at the Château de Villers-Cotterêts (Aisne), by the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron. “First project dedicated to the French language in the world”This site “brings together the strength of the French language and the recognition of its diversity”, according to the minister, who will be present alongside the Head of State. Follow our live broadcast, with a special edition broadcast on France 2 and franceinfo.
A speech by Emmanuel Macron scheduled for noon. Arriving in Villers-Cotterêts around 10 a.m., the president is currently visiting the City, before meeting children. He will deliver a half-hour speech starting at noon. The president’s departure is scheduled for around 4 p.m. He will then let the public take over and discover this new place.
A place steeped in history. The Château de Villers-Cotterêts, a jewel of the Renaissance where François I signed, in 1539, the ordinance imposing the use of French in the drafting of legal texts, has been completely renovated to become “castle of the francophonie”. In this town of 10,000 inhabitants, located 80 km from Paris, candidate Macron discovered a castle in an advanced state of disrepair in 2017. Once elected, he entrusted its renovation to the Center of National Monuments.
A political choice. Marked by unemployment and deindustrialization, Villers-Cotterêts has for several years turned towards the far-right vote. The town hall has been led since 2014 by National Rally elected official Franck Briffaut and, in Aisne, Marine Le Pen came well ahead in the two rounds of the last presidential election. With this place, Emmanuel Macron wants “show that the recovery of the territory does not require withdrawal, but much more and with much greater chance of success, through openness”underlines the Elysée.
More than a museum. “Magic Library” cubic containing thousands of works, where artificial intelligence provides the visitor with personalized reading advice, interactive dictation, shows and artist residencies… La Cité “is not a museum”underlines its director, Paul Rondin. “We are not here to preserve the French language, but to bring it to life, to reveal its extraordinary diversity”he enthuses.