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The 25th edition of the Poetry Africa festival is sponsored by the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS)

About the Embassy of France in South Africa

The Embassy of France in South Africa serves as the main representative office of the French Republic, headed by Ambassador Aurélien Lechevallier. The Embassy works to build and strengthen cooperation and collaboration between South Africa and France in various fields, including politics, education, culture and business. This is done through close relations with the South African government and local businesses, non-governmental organisations, the media, and educational institutions. Embassy staff constantly monitors and analyses local developments and is responsible for looking after the interests of French citizens in South Africa. The Ambassador is particularly awestruck by the initiative of this festival for how “it honours poets who open up difficult conversations and use their voices to fight for equality”.

About the French Institute in South Africa (IFAS)

Over the 20 past years, IFAS has worked with multiple public and private partners in South Africa and more than 30 African countries, prioritising the development of skills and ecosystems for innovation in the cultural and creative industries sector. With each project, IFAS develops unique collaborations with the shared goal of making the exchanges between the countries within creative industries more rewarding, complementary, dynamic, innovative, creative and ambitious. The Institute facilitates and implements these collaborations with key players of the French creative industries in training, innovation, business development and public policies to design programmes with a win-win approach.

TotalEnergies is one of the most significant contributors to local and socio-economic development, particularly in communities where the company has operations. The contributions are made by the company to develop local communities in the spirit of good corporate citizenship and with a view to ensuring sustainable development.

With so many pressing challenges facing our country, the arts are all too often forgotten but they form a vital part of the tapestry of our country, adding richness to the lives of people from different communities and walks of life. The arts in all its forms play a vital part in South Africa’s history and, by providing a window into different ways of being in the world, have the power to bring about empathy and change. TotalEnergies is dedicated to the support and advancement of our cultural and artistic heritage across multiple disciplines.

It is our pleasure to once again partner with the Centre for Creative Arts during the Poetry Festival, and give access and opportunity to young people. TotalEnergies wishes everyone who will be participating in one way or the other, a week of fun, entertainment and learning.