By Albert Njebusi*
The French Institute of Cameroon (IFC) has opened a new multimedia library in Yaounde to promote the French language and culture and boost ties between Paris and Yaounde. Located at the transformed Contemporary Arts Gallery of the Ministry of Culture at the centre of the nation’s capital, the new multimedia library was officially inaugurated on Friday, March 21.
The inauguration ceremony, marked by eloquent speeches, the symbolic cutting of the ribbon and an immersive tour featuring local musical display, drew a distinguished crowd including the Minister of Arts and Culture (MINAC), Bidoung Mkpatt who presided the event accompanied by the French Ambassador to Cameroon, Thierry Marchand.
At the heart of the event was the celebration of a collaborative vision. The French Ambassador expressed deep gratitude to MINAC for generously providing the space, emphasizing the library’s role as a temporary haven for young readers and knowledge seekers during the ongoing renovations of the IFC building at the Avenue Kennedy precinct.
The multimedia library offers a diverse collection of materials, including books, comics, magazines, learning manuals, and teaching aids. Ambassador Marchand underscored the commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to these resources by the youth of the nation’s capital.
Minister of Arts and Culture on his part, echoed sentiment, highlighting the project’s significance in promoting cultural democratization and fostering equal opportunities. He pointed to the two-year old partnership agreement, inked between MINAC and IFC on October 23, 2023, as a cornerstone of this shared vision.
Armand Abanda Maye, Technical Advisor No. 1 at MINAC, further illuminated the collaborative spirit, emphasizing that the library’s contents and infrastructure would remain under MINAC’s ownership. He characterized the agreement as a “win-win” scenario, a shining example of how international cooperation can directly benefit the citizens of both nations.
Cameroon has two French Institutes of Cameroon in Douala and Yaounde. Both IFCs are attached to the French state services under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The supervision is made by the cultural service, and the centers enjoy financial independence, according to information on its website.
Places of cultural exchange, creation and cooperation, they contribute to the discovery, recovery and promotion of local talents. They are important tools of the French cultural cooperation, complementary to the five French Alliances.
The multimedia library in Yaounde, a beacon of knowledge and cultural exchange, now stands ready to serve the community, a testament to the enduring bonds between France and Cameroon.
*Albert Njebusi is a journalism student at the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ASMAC), Yaounde.
