Nashauna Drummond, Staff Reporter
As of Thursday July 6, 2006, Radio France Internationale (RFI), was heard in Kingston on 96.5 FM. The station was officially launched at Alliance Française on Lillford Avenue in St. Andrew.
At exactly 12 noon, French Ambassador to Jamaica, Francis Hurtut, the Director of International Affairs of RFI Georges Lory, and President of Alliance Française, Pierre Lemaire, turned the dial and French culture poured into Jamaica like never before.
Ambassador Hurtut stated that RFI will be a very important tool in promoting France, its culture and language. He noted that Jamaica is the first Anglophone country to have launched RFI.
President of Alliance Française, Pierre Lemaire, was of the view that nothing could be a better tool to carry the French language and culture, especially to teachers of French. He noted that RFI would bring the rest of the world to Jamaica; especially Africa, as 60 per cent of its listeners live in Africa. Jamaicans would also be introduced to music of the world by artistes who are already famous in their own country.
RFI is broadcast in 19 languages, with English and Arabic being most popular after French. For Director of Alliance Française, Thomas Curelli, this was a dream come true as RFI was a project initiated three years ago.
RFI will be a very important tool in promoting France,
its culture and language ... Jamaica is the first Anglophone country to
have launched RFI.
