Manitoba is one of five Canadian and 46 global locations in 23 countries participating in the 2022 Caravane des dix mots (Ten Words Caravan). Three Manitoba groups, the Maison Gabrielle-Roy in Saint-Boniface, the Alliance française du Manitoba, and the Centre culturel franco-manitobain have come together to support this project.
The Caravane aims to help Francophone communities around the world connect and have fun, work and share around the ten words selected under a theme. This year’s chosen words—décalé, divulgâcher, ébaubi, époustouflant, farcer, kaï, médusé, pincemoi, saperlipopette, and tintamarre all relate to the theme of “surprise”.
The Caravane des dix mots was established in 2003 by Thierry Auzer, the director of the Théâtre des Asphodèles. At the theatre’s Fête des dix mots event he got the idea to go out onto the streets of Lyon, France to ask passers-by the meaning they gave to the ten words. He describes the experience as “fishing for the meaning of words beyond their own definition to show the richness and diversity that every human being carries within.”
Francophones and Francophiles can submit a piece of work (video, text, audio) before May 27, 2022, to info@maisongabrielleroy.mb.ca or participate in writing workshops or Just(e) Slam evenings at the maison Gabrielle Roy.
Catherine Fisher, blogger
