LEWISTON — The Franco-American Collection at the University of Southern Maine, along with the Alliance Française du Maine, are hosting “La Francophonie in Maine … Qu’est ce que c’est?”

The event is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston campus, 51 Westminster St. There is no fee for the programs, which are made possible by the sponsorship of the Consulate General of Canada in Boston, the Québec Delegation in Boston, TV5MONDE and the Villa Albertine.

This collaboration is the second panel event under the same name — the first took place in March 2023. This time, panelists representing Burundi, Canada, Chad, France, Haiti, the Ivory Coast, and the United States will be featured.

Panelists will discuss how the French language has influenced their lives, their hopes for the future of the French language in Maine, and passing French on to the next generation. Presentations will be in English, but questions are welcome in either English or French, according to a news release from Anna Faherty, Franco-American Collection archivist.

Each panelist will give a short presentation. Marceau Crespo de Nogueira, education and cultural project manager at the Villa Albertine’s Boston office, the cultural division of the French Embassy, will give remarks on educational opportunities to promote French language in Maine. Refreshments will be provided.

Those unable to join can access the Zoom link at usm.maine.edu.

For more information or to register, contact Faherty at [email protected] or 207-753-6545. Those who have questions about disability access or need to request disability accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, materials in electronic format) can contact Faherty. Requests should be made as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for the accommodation process.