The French Embassy in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Alliance Française and the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex), is celebrating the 2026 edition of Francophonie Month. Under the theme “Esencias y matices” (Essences and Nuances), this year’s program features over 100 activities across the country, highlighting the cultural, linguistic, and diplomatic ties between the Dominican Republic and the 88 member states of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).
French Ambassador Sonia Barbry has explained that French is more than a language; it is a “political, cultural, and human project based on democracy and solidarity.” Highlighting the local impact, she noted that approximately 900,000 Dominican students learn French in secondary education, supported by a network of 2,000 teachers.
During the 2026 Francophonie event, a first ADEF Prize was awarded to Milton Ray Guevara, former president of the Constitutional Court. The award, granted by the Association of Dominican Graduates in France (ADEF), recognizes his career-long contribution to strengthening legal and academic dialogues between the two nations.
For those in Santo Domingo, a Saveurs Francophones event, an international gastronomic contest, is scheduled for 27 March at 7pm at the Club Libanes Sirio Palestino on the Malecon.
Schedule of key events: March 2026
The festivities span multiple cities, including Santo Domingo, Santiago, La Vega, Barahona, and San Pedro de Macorís.
Upcoming events:
16–28 March (all day virtual tours): Immersive experiences featuring the Louvre Museum. Alliance Française (Santo Domingo)
21 March at 4pm. Magisterial conference: Focus on Francophone cultural heritage. Centro León (Santiago)
25 March at 7pm. Film screening: Showcase of contemporary Francophone cinema. Casa de la Cultura (La Vega)
27 March at 7pm. “Saveurs Francophones”: International Francophone Gastronomic Contest. Club Libanés Sirio Palestino
28 March at 10am. Specialized French-language guided tour of current exhibits. Centro León (Santiago)
Additional highlights
• Francophone Film Cycle: The Cinemateca Dominicana is hosting a month-long special program featuring films from France, Canada, Haiti, and Switzerland.
• Art Exhibition: The exhibition “Ombría” by artist Ara Starck remains open at the Alliance Française de Santo Domingo until 17 April 2026.
Read more:
French Embassy
19 March 2026