PRESS RELEASE From March 6 to 22, 2015, Let`s Join Together for

 PRESS RELEASE For immediate release From March 6 to 22, 2015, Let's Join Together for the Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie ! OTTAWA, MARCH 5, 2015 – Today in Ottawa, the Canadian Foundation for Cross-­‐Cultural Dialogue is launching the 17th edition of Les Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie (RVF), to take place from March 6 to 22, 2015. All Canadians are invited to join in celebrating the French language and culture across the country. As a part of the festivities, over 2000 activities, shows, events, contests, and National Film Board screenings are planned throughout all of Canada's provinces and territories. A calendar of activities can be found at the website www.rvf.ca. "This year, the Rendez-­‐vous invites us to come together under the theme, 'La Joie de vivre: Ça nous rassemble!' Whether we grew up with French or discovered the language later in life, we all share a Francophone heritage that is a source of both pleasure and pride," said the Hon. Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. A THEME THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER For the past three years, "La Joie de vivre" has been the heart of the RVF theme. Representative of Canada's Francophone and Acadian communities, it is also a familiar expression to Anglophones. The 2015 edition of RVF incorporates a unifying element: "La Joie de vivre: Ça nous rassemble!" It is in this context that the General Director of the Canadian Foundation for Cross-­‐Cultural Dialogue, Guy Matte is challenging Francophones and Francophiles: "We are asking participants to discover the Francophonie in their surroundings, and to invite a non-­‐French person to participate in at least one activity." HUMOUR AGAIN HONOURED FOR THE 17TH EDITION Nationally, the RVF team enthusiastically pursues its partnership with the Just For Laughs Group. This collaboration has brought about the pan-­‐Canadian comedy tour, the Just for Laughs des Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie Gala, which will pass through fifteen Canadian cities and seven provinces by March 22. In addition, l’École nationale de l’humour will contribute to the celebration with video vignettes produced by its students in the national contest, Drôles des Rendez-­‐vous. "Laughter unites and promotes dialogue. It is a universal language and an interesting way of approaching Canada's linguistic realities," adds Mr. Matte. LES RENDEZ-­‐VOUS DE LA FRANCOPHONIE 2015 PAGE 1 JENNIFER BOTTERILL AND FRANÇOIS MASSICOTTE, SPOKESPEOPLE To bring the RVF to the attention of Francophiles and Francophone communities across the country, two spokespeople have lent their voices to the Rendez-­‐vous. Jennifer Botterill was a member of the Canadian women's hockey team from 1997 to 2011: "Having made the journey through French Immersion in Manitoba, I am honoured to serve as spokesperson for the 2015 Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie!" Well-­‐known comedian François Massicotte is RVF's Francophone spokesperson, and will perform in the Just for Laughs des Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie Gala tour. A RECORD NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES Over 2000 activities! This year, a record number of activities is listed in the national calendar, including a tour of Canadian movies with the National Film Board, covering 243 screenings listed in 78 Canadian cities, the Just for Laughs des Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie Gala tour, as well as other shows and official ceremonies, not to mention the countless activities that Francophones and Francophiles have organized in their local communities, constituting the true heart of the Rendez-­‐vous. The Canadian Foundation of Cross-­‐Cultural Dialogue, in conjunction with the Association of Universities of the Canadian Francophonie (AUFC) and TFO 24.7 have organized the Great Canadian Rendez-­‐vous des Francophonies on March 19, 2015. To take place at about half past one, this videoconference will feature students from AUFC's post-­‐secondary school members, and shine a spotlight on cultural programming from sea to sea. All Canadians are invited to join together in the celebrations. A full list of activities is available on the Rendez-­‐vous website www.rvf.ca MANY PRIZES TO WIN! The RVF team has organized several contests to take place between March 6 to 22, presented on its website: •
The Drôles de Rendez-­‐vous Contest: Ten video clips, produced by students at the National School of Humour on the RVF theme, will be subject to popular vote. Internet users will be invited to give a note of appreciation to each video vignette in order to qualify for RVF's national contest to win the grand prize of an Air Canada trip for two to Paris. •
The Écris-­‐moi sans fautes! Contest: The Canadian Foundation for Cross-­‐Cultural Dialogue, Canada Post, and the Language Portal of Canada invite you to participate in an online spelling challenge for a chance to win $1000. For participants under 18 years of age, a youth version of the contest will be presented, with the prize of $1000 credit from Scholastic Books for their school. •
VIA Rail is offering a $3500 travel credit in the contest, "Prenez la route de la Francophonie avec VIA Rail," accessible through the RVF website. LES RENDEZ-­‐VOUS DE LA FRANCOPHONIE 2015 PAGE 2 ABOUT THE RENDEZ-­‐VOUS DE LA FRANCOPHONIE The Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie are among the events surrounding the International Day of the Francophonie (March 20), organized every year around the world to promote the French language and its many cultural expressions. For the past 17 years, the Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie (RVF) has been an annual opportunity for all sectors of Canadian society to celebrate their connection to the French language in Canada. During the RVF, all Canadians are invited to join the celebrations. Since 2005, the RVF have been overseen by the Canadian Foundation for Cross-­‐Cultural Dialogue, which aims to promote and support dialogue and reconciliation between Francophone and Acadian communities and all other parts of Canadian society. – 30 – REQUEST AN INTERVIEW To request an interview with Francois Simard, representative of Just for Laughs , Jennifer Botterill or François Massicotte, spokespeople for RVF, please contact the Agence Sonia Gagnon. Nicole Desmarais Agence Sonia Gagnon Tel. : (514) 768-­‐6743 [email protected] [email protected] For all other requests for an interview: Nathalie Brunette NB Communication for Groupe Simoncic Rendez-­‐vous de la Francophonie Tel : (613) 321-­‐0102 EXT. 50 [email protected] LES RENDEZ-­‐VOUS DE LA FRANCOPHONIE 2015 PAGE 3