On March 20th, 2022 while many were already attempting to fight off the first signs of the Sunday Scaries, an unveiling ceremony in the municipality of Foundiougne in Dakar, Senegal, gathered a jovial group of culture enthusiasts.
Against the melodious backdrop of five women harmonizing tunes to the drumming of calabashes, the Foundiougne Cultural Centre and Maison de la Francophonie was ushered in with the appropriate gusto.
Every dignitary and guest present gave ears to jubilant songs in Serere (the third national language of Senegal and most widely spoken in Sine-Salom) celebrating local heroes, the rich history of Foundiougne and praising those who have made such an event possible.
One after the other, religious and customary authorities alike reminded the audience of the rich history of Foundiougne in Senegal, more specifically in the Saloum region. In fact, the choice of Foundiougne was appropriate for more than one reason. As one of the foremost port cities of Senegal, the department was illustrious for being the center Groundnut Basin of the Fatick region and the primary exporter of peanut and peanut plants. Today, a series of investments in and around Foundiougne shows a willingness to restore the region to match its potential. The toll bridge inaugurated in the past month, the surge in economic activity expected with the oil exploration in neighboring Sangomar and the recommissioning of the port all concur to validate the soundness of this initiative in that region. With this installation, Foundiougne is reclaiming its place as a crucible of culture in the Saloum region.
Starting with the Minister of Culture, Abdou Latif Coulibaly, all artists, political, and literary figures present saluted this initiative from Abdoulaye Racine Senghor. Both men spent their childhood and formative years in the Saloum region and went on to prove themselves as outstanding examples of excellency in the fields of journalism, academia and literature. They are the living embodiment of the generosity of spirit that is so dear to all lovers of art and culture. The same principles championed by the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
If ever more proof was needed that love of culture and education is one of the strongest bonding forces, let us summon the words of Mrs. Rennie Yotova, a member of the OIF French Education Delegation. In her address, she composed an acrostic where Creativity, Union, Lecture (reading), Teranga, Universality, Radiance and Espoir (hope) were conjugated to spell out the word culture.
It was also the opportunity for the co-president of the Maison de la Francophonie network, Christian Philip, to reiterate the unifying role of the organization. He emphasized the fundamental need to share common values in order to take action as a collective. In this case: the overarching values of diversity, multilingualism and peace are espoused and promoted by the Francophonie with a far-reaching and inclusive network of over 50 structures similar to the Maison inaugurated in Foundiougne.
In more ways than one, the Foundiougne Cultural Centre and Maison de la Francophonie is akin to the recently inaugurated bridge. It serves as a connecting agent for people to rise above their differences and find common ground in shared appreciation for culture and education.
