Some experiences don’t just stay in memory — they live in the heart forever.
And our journey to Le Concours de la Francophonie du Mayo 2025 was exactly that — a celebration where culture met creativity, and language became the bridge between hearts.Held from the 3rd to the 5th of October at Mayo College, Ajmer, this 12th edition of the Francophonie festival brought together schools from across India to honour the beauty of the French language — La langue française.
The first morning began with excitement sparkling in every eye. As we arrived at the majestic Mayo campus, we were greeted by grandeur and warmth. The day opened with an adventurous Treasure Hunt across Mayo’s green lawns and historic halls — a perfect ice-breaker that brought students together in laughter and discovery. Next came the Museum Tour, where Mayo’s rich history whispered stories of time, art, and culture. By afternoon, the entire campus had transformed into a living celebration of France — with stalls, food, music, and art lighting up the Francophone Exhibition and Food Festival. Our own exhibition stall, crafted with creativity and care, drew endless appreciation — a blend of colour, storytelling, and cultural depth. The evening closed with musical performances and dance — a joyful symphony of friendship and cultural exchange.
The next morning dawned bright and busy — the real test of talent began!
The Cuisine Francophone participants travelled to Mayo College Girls’ School for an exclusive session with none other than Chef Thierry Le Baut, who shared the art of French gastronomy before the competition began.
Back at Mayo, the campus buzzed with multiple events — Poetry Recitation, Olympiade de la Langue Française, Spell Bee, and Quiz Francophone — all happening with infectious energy.
After a refreshing tea break, we witnessed rounds of Solo Singing, screenings for the Francophone Film Festival, and an inspiring talk by Mr. Jatinder Singh, Deputy Attaché from the Embassy of France, who spoke about how learning French opens windows to the world.
As the sun set, the Kangra Amphitheatre came alive with the Opening Ceremony — a spectacle of art and expression. The evening included final rounds of Solo Singing and Poetry Recitation, French film screenings, captivating performances by Mayo students, and the Prize Distribution of Day 1 events. Dignitaries, guests, and principals filled the amphitheatre under the Ajmer stars, celebrating the power of language and art.
The final day was one of elegance and pride.
After lunch and the Solo Singing Senior rounds, everyone gathered for the Exhibition Polo Match — a thrilling display of Mayo’s royal heritage.
Then came the moment we had all been waiting for — the Closing Ceremony. The amphitheatre glowed with anticipation as the Francophone Film finals rolled, followed by heart-touching performances by students of Mayo and MCGS.
The festival was judged by Prof. Dhritabrata Bhattacharya Tato, Prof. Kiran Chadhary, and Dr. Jaivardhan Singh Rathore, and graced by the presence of Chef Thierry Le Baut, a representative of the French Embassy, and His Excellency Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in India.
Their words reminded us that “Learning a language is like living another life.”
Result :1st Position – Junior Spell Bee: Aadya Deedwania (Class VIII)
1st Position – Francophone Exhibition: Adwitya Saxena (Class XI) and Saanvi Jain (Class VIII)
3rd Position – Cuisine Francophone: Prachi Jain and Mayurakshi Nathawat (Class XII)
The Best Acting Award – French Film Festival: Priyal Jain, Avni Jain (Class XI), Samaira Katherine Dias (Class X), and Ahaana Arora (Class IX)
Participants included:- Devya Rathi(class VI), Dhruvi Mehta(Class X), Bhavi Mehta(Class X), Nishika Kumbhat(Class IX), Mehu Sunil Verma(Class XI)
As the applause faded and the lights dimmed, what stayed with us was more than trophies — it was the sense of connection, the friendships forged beyond borders, and the pride of carrying our school’s name with dignity and grace.
