Tribune. I must express my sadness and my astonishment after having read the press release made public by the French Institute of Valence announcing the final closure on June 30 of this center attached to the French Institute of Spain and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and this after one hundred and thirty-three years of history in our city.
Since its creation, the French Institute of Valence has been characterized by its mission of leading cultural dissemination and by its role as a carrier of the Francophonie and the democratic values of the French Republic in our city. In addition, this center has made it possible to connect the not only cultural, but also social and economic interests of Valence in France, and of France in our city, these interests now seeing a threat hovering over a single communication channel.
Furthermore, this closure comes as the creation and consolidation of more avenues for transnational collaboration becomes necessary in a global pandemic situation that has enabled us to shed light on the interdependence that governs our current world and the importance to maintain and strengthen the links between societies.
“Where will the Francophonie stay? “
However, I would not want to disregard equally important facts such as the friendships and affections forged over centuries between the city of Valence and France, the latter based on a close relationship whose origin dates back to the dawn of our time. history, without forgetting to highlight the cultural value that originates in the linguistic aspect, with the sharing of Romance languages which draw their roots from a common source.
In fact, the closure of the French Institute in Valence leads to the weakening of the Francophonie as an international lingua franca in our country, which, I am sure, must be a source of concern for the French Republic.
In this context, and as mayor of the third city of Spain in terms of inhabitants and economic weight, I hope that Mr. Macron will be grateful and reconsider the decision to close the French Institute of Valence, which includes remarkable professionals who work daily with the task of disseminating French culture and who have made it possible to preserve links which must last over time. Where else will the Francophonie stay?