Celebrating Francophonie

March is the international month for celebrating the French language, French speakers and Francophone cultures around the world. Like last year, we have a range of events lined up at the Alliance Française de Karachi to join these international celebrations. Check them out:

1. The World’s Greatest French Dinner at Côte Rôtie on 21 March 2019 (7 to 11 PM)

   Unsurprisingly, the celebrations begin with French food. Goût de France/Good France celebrates French gastronomy around the world in partnership with French embassies abroad and chefs from over 3,000 participating restaurants who simultaneously host French dinners on 21 March. This unique global event is held on 5 continents in over 150 countries, including Karachi, Pakistan at Côte Rôtie. This popular evening has limited seats that go fast! Book yours early by calling Côte Rôtie at (021) 35296345 or (92) 316 2882880.

2. A French Play: Où on va, papa ? (Where we going, Daddy?) on 22 March 2019 (8 PM)

   This poignant play, to be performed by Xavier Carrar and directed by Layla Metssitane, is based on a largely autobiographical novel by Jean-Louis Fournier telling the story of a father raising his two sons, Mathieu and Thomas, both born with debilitating physical and mental challenges. Free entry but please be punctual. Seats will be given on a first come, first served basis. The play will be performed in French with English subtitles appearing on a screen.

3. Francophonie Open Day on 30 March 2019 (11 AM to 2 PM)

   Are you interested in learning the French language and discovering French culture? Wondering why you should study French? Come to our yearly Francophonie Open Day on Saturday, 30 March 2019 and try out a free demo French class and other activities. You don't need to know any French to attend and the event is free and open to all. Just send us an email at frontdesk[at]afkarachi[dot]com if you or your child (we welcome ages 7 and up) would like to attend the demo French class. Last year, we had a full house with our current and prospective students and visitors who enjoyed a free demo French class, a quiz about French culture with prizes, a game of pétanque, and a French potluck lunch!

We hope to see you all chez nous. À bientôt !

Karachi's first French restaurant

Did you know that Karachi’s first French restaurant initially opened up in the Alliance Française de Karachi? Florence de Villiers, who had came to Pakistan from France and settled in Karachi many years before, wanted to be able to treat her Karachi-based kids to good French crêpes, the kind that she had grown up eating and which she couldn’t find anywhere in the city. She approached the then-director of the Alliance, Bernard Frontrero, who encouraged her to open a little café inside the premises of the French cultural center. What emerged from that conversation was Café Flo at the Alliance Française de Karachi.

Named after its founder Florence (pictured above), it began with a crêperie and slowly grew into a full-fledged French restaurant offering a menu with escargot, beef bourguignon and more. Its charming ambiance felt like a piece of Paris in Karachi. French doors. Lots of plants. Posters on the watermelon pink walls. Here and there, you could catch a conversation in French.

While Café Flo has since moved out to its own premises and continues to regale Karachiites with French cuisine, we at the Alliance Française are proud to have given it its first home and launching pad.

Today, the space is home to Côte Rôtie, another excellent space for French cuisine with an ambiance to match.

Et vous? Do you remember coming to the original Café Flo? What’s your favorite French food? If you’ve never had the chance to try it, come discover French language, cuisine and culture at the Alliance Française in Karachi for yourself to learn more.

Photo Credit: AFK / CAP Archive