The "Francophonie Week" is the festival of the French language and cultures of the French-speaking countries, which is celebrated in the middle of March across the world. The organizers and partners have prepared a program for the broad public, which consists of 16 offline events and activities and 3 online webinars. This year, the festival will centre around questions on how to protect our planet and the environment.

French is the fifth language spoken in the world, the third language for business, used by more than 300 million people on five continents, and also is known as the language of diplomacy. 88 countries are members of the International Organization of Francophonie, in 29 of which French is the official language.

The Francophonie Week will be launched in Bishkek on March 23 with a public screening of the movie "Legacy / Notre Héritage" by the famous French photograph and environmentalist Yann-Arthus Bertrand, followed by an exchange with the latter, starting at 18:00 in Ala-Too Cinema (free entrance).  

The detailed program is presented below.

• French Alliance in Bishkek: Instagram;  Facebook
• French Embassy Kyrgyzstan: webpage; Facebook
• Swiss Embassy Kyrgyzstan: Instagram; Facebook

The Swiss Ambassador Olivier Bangerter, the Country Manager of the World Bank Naveed Hassan Naqvi, the Executive Director of the Community Development and Investment Agency (АRIS) Mars Naspekov and other participants inaugurated the renovated kindergarten. 

The facility has been renovated in the frame of the “Heat Supply Improvement Project" implemented by ARIS and financed by the International Development Association and the Government of Switzerland.

To improve energy efficiency in the building, the following construction and installation works were carried out: thermal insulation was done, seismic stability reinforced, old windows and doors replaced with energy-efficient ones, heating system upgraded and electrical ceramic radiators installed, electrical wiring replaced, energy-efficient LED lamps installed, ventilation system improved and recuperators installed.

Main efficiency gain of the performed activities is a 40% decrease in the electricity consumption and higher level of comfort for 170 children and personnel of the facility. 

The project intends to demonstrate benefits of the energy efficiency in 21 municipal public buildings in all oblasts of the country leading to essential electricity savings - up to 40% per building, implying more efficient use of energy resources and reduction of the heating costs.