Nigerian arts have strong messages – Ambassador Blatmann

The Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, has said Nigerian arts have strong messages, adding that the French government is working on helping young artists develop in their journey.  She made this known while addressing journalists as part of events to celebrate the 2022 Francophonie Week in Abuja.   Senate gets ultimatum to probe […]

The Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Emmanuelle Blatmann, has said Nigerian arts have strong messages, adding that the French government is working on helping young artists develop in their journey. 

She made this known while addressing journalists as part of events to celebrate the 2022 Francophonie Week in Abuja.  

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She said Nigerian artists were remarkable, describing their works as socially engaging.  

“I have seen quite a number of artists. What is really vibrant, incredible and fascinating about Nigerians is their skills in art in particular.

“I have seen photographers, painters, dancers, all sorts of artists, I am not sure I can say that anybody can do better. They are doing already fine,” she said.  

She, however, said the French government was trying to partner with different young artists to help them in their journey by sending them to France to do art residency.

“We try to have artists come here and partner with the Nigerian artists also. We are trying to do a lot with several partners. training and helping Nigerian artists,” she said. 

The 52nd Francophonie Week was celebrated in a week-long series of events, welcoming more than 500 visitors to Abuja. 

This year’s Francophonie programme titled, “Griots et Contes,” had various events, such as concerts, movie screenings, writing competitions, live shows, a master class and games.

Every year, on March 20, 88 member states of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) celebrate the French language and Francophone cultures.

These celebrations are a great way to learn about the diversity of French-speaking cultures and explore the creative artistry of the many countries that speak French.

There are over 300 million French speakers in the world, on all continents. 

French is the official language of 32 sovereign states and the International Olympic Committee. It is also one of the official languages of the United Nations and the African Union.

It is the world’s fifth most spoken language and the second most studied.