The Maison de la jeunesse et des associations in Val-de-Reuil (Eure) hosted a ceremony on Saturday, May 2 organized by the FI.MPI.MA association, dedicated to promoting Malagasy language and culture.
The event marked the awarding of diplomas to new speakers, as well as the presentation of new promotions in traditional attire.
Sixty diplomas were awarded to students from the five sections of northern France, emphasizing cultural transmission, family exchanges, and the promotion of Malagasy traditions.
Jacqueline Ralanto, president of the local branch Sampana Rouen, recounted the association’s history: “FI.MPI.MA (or Association of Malagasy Speakers) was created in 1963 in Madagascar, when 14 people realized the colonization by the French language. They feared the disappearance of their language.”
The organization works to preserve the art of oratory and intricacies of the Malagasy language, once enriched with proverbs and cultural references common to the various ethnicities of the region.
Since 2010, the association has been offering courses and training through several local sections. In Val-de-Reuil, three teachers currently instruct a dozen students.
For this ceremony, the president of FI.MPI.MA France, Sedera Razafindrazak, and former president Dera Ramandraivonona awarded diplomas to participants after two years of training.
Jacqueline Ralanto emphasizes the importance of preserving the language despite its evolution: “It is a great pleasure for me and for all of us. We have so much to share. There is a real evolution of the language but we must preserve it. New words that did not exist among us, coming from French, have been integrated.”
