Macron’s French Language Center Celebrates Arabic Instead
A French language institution created by President Macron sparked controversy by dedicating a day to celebrating Arabic, drawing criticism amid concerns about its cultural mission and poor attendance.
The International City of the French Language, housed in the historic château of François I in Villers-Cotterêts, organized an event on June 27 titled “Our Arabic Languages” featuring Arabic calligraphy workshops, documentary screenings, debates, and a theatrical performance of The Epic of Bani Hilal by Palestinian director Bashar Murkus. The play was performed in Arabic with French subtitles.
The day concluded with a concert by Camélia Jordana dedicated to “Divas of the Mediterranean.” Jordana, of Algerian origin, previously made headlines for denouncing police violence in France and stating she did not feel safe when wearing her hair curly.
Paul Rondin, director of the International City of the French Language, defended the event to the newspaper L’Union by arguing that the institution has a mission to discuss not only French but also “the languages spoken in France.” He called the Arabic language day “obvious given the place of the Arabic language in France” and emphasized that there are almost 4 million Arabic speakers in the country.
While the 450 concert tickets sold out quickly, the event drew sharp criticism on social media. One commenter questioned whether young people should first focus on writing and speaking French correctly, while another sarcastically remarked that Arabic is celebrated year-round in the city.
Financial Failure Compounds Controversy
Beyond the cultural debate, the International City of the French Language has proven to be a massive financial drain. Originally budgeted at 110 million euros in 2019, the project ultimately cost 234 million euros. Despite this enormous investment, visitor numbers have fallen far short of expectations.
In 2025, attendance reached only 110,000 visitors, many of them school groups, compared to the projected 200,000. Observers suggest the Arabic language event may be an attempt by management to expand its audience and justify the failed investment.
The town of Villers-Cotterêts, home to nearly 10,000 residents, was notably the only municipality in its department not retained by the National Rally in recent municipal elections. Critics on social media warned that the erasure is advancing rapidly as French cultural institutions prioritize multiculturalism over French heritage.
President Macron originally presented the International City of the French Language as an “exemplary” project designed to promote French language and culture globally. The decision to dedicate programming to Arabic has raised questions about whether the institution has strayed from its founding mission.
With information from Valeurs Actuelles
