Louise Mushikiwabo inaugurated the Francophonie Village alongside Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Phnom Penh, where Rwandan dancers performed at the opening of a cultural event expected to attract 100,000 visitors.
The two leaders cut a ribbon at Wat Botum Watey Park on Friday, November 13, officially opening the five-day programme ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Information confirmed the ceremony, while organisers said the Village would remain open until November 17.
“This is the magic of the Francophonie: bringing together peoples, histories, and sensibilities that might otherwise never have had the chance to cross paths,” Mushikiwabo said during the opening.
The ceremony brought together Cambodian artists and members of Rwanda’s National Ballet, whose performances gave visitors an early glimpse of the cultural exchanges planned throughout the week.
Mushikiwabo, who serves as Secretary-General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF), drew attention to the distance separating Rwanda and Cambodia and their shared desire to strengthen relations through culture.
She described the Village as an opportunity for people from different countries to encounter traditions, histories and experiences beyond their own.
Cambodia’s Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ing Kantha Phavi, said approximately 100,000 local and international visitors were expected between November 13 and 17.
The figure is an attendance projection for the entire event, not the number of people present at the opening.
The Village covers about 10,000 square metres in central Phnom Penh and is open to the public free of charge. It gives residents and tourists an opportunity to participate in activities surrounding the summit without attending the formal diplomatic meetings.
According to figures presented by organisers, the site contains 73 national and partner pavilions, alongside 130 exhibition booths showcasing products, projects, craftsmanship and business initiatives.
Another 30 stands are dedicated to food, allowing visitors to sample dishes from Cambodia and other countries represented at the event. The programme also includes discussions, workshops and more than 50 artistic and cultural performances.
Cambodia is using the occasion to present its heritage to international visitors. Displays include replicas of the Preah Vihear, Tamone and Ta Krabei temples, while national exhibitions introduce audiences to crafts, tourism and local traditions.
For Rwanda, the National Ballet’s appearance brings the country’s traditional dance onto a stage shared with performers from across the Francophone community.
The event also offers artists and entrepreneurs opportunities to meet international visitors. Cambodia’s Prime Minister described the Village as a way of bringing the Francophonie Summit closer to the wider public.
Cambodia is hosting the Francophonie Summit for the first time, with a ministerial meeting scheduled for November 14 and sessions of heads of state and government on November 15 and 16.
The summit will also elect the OIF’s next Secretary-General on November 16. Mushikiwabo, who has led the organisation since 2019, is seeking another four-year term against three challengers.
While the election will be decided by member governments, the Village will remain open to the public after the summit concludes, giving visitors another day to experience the cultures brought together in Phnom Penh.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10