The 20th of March annually marked la Journée de la Francophonie, an occasion to celebrate French cultural and language. On 18 March 2025, UM’s French Department within the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Languages and Humanities in Education invited Year 10 students and their educators from State, Church, and Independent schools, met at Sir Temi Zammit Hall. They were addressed by Dr Anne-Marie Bezzina Busuttil, Head of the Department of French, who spoke about career prospects and the importance of studying French as a foreign language. Her Excellency Madame Sandrine Lelong-Motta, French Ambassador, emphasised the added value of knowing French for employment and travel in today’s globalised world.

A cooking competition was organised in connection with the event: Le concours de recettes francophones for Year 10 students. The four top-placed videos of budding chefs in action were screened, and the winners received book prizes along with a French conversation course to be held during the summer holidays. Students also took part in a treasure hunt and games about French culture, and winning schools were awarded books.

Nadine Cassar and Naomi Mangion of class 10.1 at St Thomas More College, Secondary School, Santa Lucija placed 1st in this competition. These two talented students worked together to create an outstanding French recipe video, showcasing their skills in the French language and their culinary talents. The recipe they presented was that of Financiers aux amandes.  Their creativity and teamwork earned them top honours, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievement! Well done, Nadine Cassar and Naomi Mangion!