We have the honor to invite you to participate in the International Conference "French Cultural Heritage in the Francophone World: Memory, Identity and Heritage Preservation", which will be organized at West University of Timişoara (UVT) on April 23 and 24, 2026. The opening of the event will take place on April 23, at 9.20 am, in the A01 event amphitheater (main headquarters, V.Pârvan 4).
The conference highlights the fact that in today's Francophone world, in a multicultural space made up of 90 states spread across all continents, French cultural and linguistic vestiges remain visible and vibrant. Whether in former French colonies or elsewhere, French culture and language have left significant traces. They have transformed the societies in question to varying degrees, by localizing the Francophone heritage.
The participants registered in the conference program will debate how French cultural heritage has been reappropriated by Francophone or Francophile societies and what are the processes involved in addressing the issue of French cultural heritage. It will also examine how French cultural heritage can constitute a resource for identity and a source of creativity within the Francophonie. The links between memory (tangible and intangible heritage), identity (acculturation, cultural exchange, dialogue) and development (education, cooperation, creative economy) in relation to French cultural heritage will be explored.
The event will include a first series of research and study activities of the group "Heritage and Renewal: French Heritage in Francophone Spaces: Interdisciplinary Perspectives", within the International Network of Senghor Chairs of Francophonie (RICSF).
The conference also aims to contribute to the understanding of how Francophonie is part of cultural diversity, promoting knowledge and the creation of symbolic and economic capital.
Representatives of UVT and partners will participate in the plenary opening of the works: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Valy Geta Ceia, UVT vice-rector responsible for internationalization strategy, university networks and relations with European institutions, Anne-Laure Rouxel, director of the French Institute in Timișoara, Laure Castin, director of AUF-PECO Bucharest, Alexandru Drăgan, vice-dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography of UVT, Ioan-Sebastian Jucu, director of the Department of Geography of UVT, Nicolae Popa, professor at the Department of Geography and holder of the Senghor Chair of UVT, organizer of this event.
Media representatives are invited to attend the event.
We are waiting for you!
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INFO:
Contact person: Prof. Nicolae Popa (nicolae.popa@e-uvt.ro)
