Francophonie Month 2026 events postponed amid escalation in Lebanon

Wednesday 04 March 2026 - 14:30

The events scheduled for Francophonie Month 2026 in Lebanon have been postponed until further notice due to the ongoing military escalation in the country. The announcement was made by Lebanon’s Ministry of Culture as tensions entered a third consecutive day of intensified violence marked by heavy Israeli bombardments.

According to an official statement, the Ministry decided to suspend all activities planned throughout March in light of the current circumstances. The decision was taken in consultation with partners involved in organizing the annual celebration, reflecting what authorities described as a sense of responsibility and solidarity during a period of national crisis.

Lebanon’s Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salamé, confirmed that new dates for the events will be communicated once conditions allow for their safe and appropriate organization. The Ministry also expressed appreciation to the public, artists, speakers and institutional partners for their understanding and continued commitment to promoting the French language and francophone culture in Lebanon.

Francophonie Month traditionally features a diverse cultural program, including film screenings, literary gatherings, poetry readings, writing competitions and university-led events. The initiative aims to celebrate linguistic diversity and cultural exchange while reinforcing Lebanon’s longstanding ties with the francophone world.

The annual event is organized through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Culture, francophone embassies, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie, the Institut Français du Liban and several francophone media outlets.

In their joint communication, partner institutions reaffirmed their strong commitment to the initiative, stressing their readiness to relaunch the program once circumstances permit. They emphasized that the events are designed to foster dialogue, cultural sharing and conviviality — values that remain central despite the current challenges facing the country.