On April, 28th, 2017, V.G. Belinsky Teacher Education Institute, Penza State University, hosted XVIII International Festival of French Song. In his opening speech, O.V. Yagov, Vice-Chairman of the Penza Region government, Doctor of Historical Sciences, PSU Professor, emphasized the importance of the event.

“Songs, music, poems – they have always been a firm link between cultures, between languages. We are happy that we have been conducting this event for 18 years and there are generations of those who love and appreciate the language and culture of the other country. It is huge and very important work on developing international and cross-cultural dialogue”, said O.V. Yagov.

Pierre-Michel Werber, a French composer, arranger and producer, was the concert director and honorable guest of the Festival, while the organizers of the Festival of French Song 2017 were the Faculty of History, Languages and Literature of PSU, Resource Centre of the French Language, Department of “Foreign languages and methods of teaching foreign languages” of PSU, and the Association «CAP CULTURES» (France).

“This is a super event for both countries, you are learning about our culture, we are learning about yours. And the energy of this Festival is so huge that without it I wouldn’t be able to create. When you see the inspired look of children who are aspiring for knowledge, for another language, another culture, you not only want to help them but to inspire them to further achievements and victories. I want to emphasize that inspiration to create new music often comes to me while I am visiting this Festival”, - said Pierre-Michel Werber.

Over 50 participants from Penza Arts College, schools of Penza, Kuznetsk and Zarechny, students and graduates of Penza universities, PSU international students presented the beauty of the French languages to the audience.