On April 11, 2025, the Political Observatory presents the Cultural Policies Laboratory: Between Lusophony and Francophony: Culture in Action. This is an initiative of the Political Observatory in collaboration with the University of Ottawa and with the support of the Diplomatic Institute (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal).

Date: Friday, April 11, 2025

Location: Diplomatic Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal – Queen’s Library, Lisbon – Portugal

Concept note:
The Laboratory of Cultural Policies Between Lusophony and Francophony: Culture in Action presents itself as a space for reflection and analysis of cultural and political interactions between countries that share the Portuguese and French languages. These two linguistic and cultural universes represent, in themselves, complex and dynamic networks that cross continents, linking European and colonial histories, experiences of cultural resistance, and identity and development policies.

Historically, both Lusophony and Francophony are legacies of colonial empires that shaped territories, populations and cultures. However, with decolonization, these linguistic spaces became platforms for cultural and political affirmation. The cultural policies adopted by Portuguese-speaking and French-speaking countries reflect both the search for the preservation of local traditions and the desire to enter global cultural markets. These realities coexist with the attempt to maintain a status quo of political culture. In this context, it is important to reflect on the spaces of Lusophony and Francophony as political constructions that unequivocally condition the present and the future.

At the government level, it is possible to observe how policies to promote language and culture have been used as instruments of cultural diplomacy. France, for example, with the support of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), implements programs to support the dissemination of French and cultural production in African, Canadian and Caribbean countries. In turn, Canada faces challenges in maintaining Francophone realities in minority contexts, seeking to build bridges for the joint construction of the Francophonie of today and tomorrow. Portugal, amplified by Brazil, and through the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), encourages cultural cooperation between Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), and also between Asian and South American countries.

However, in addition to government policies, market and cultural industry dynamics play a central role in the construction of these networks. Music, cinema, literature and other artistic expressions circulate in these spaces, creating new hybrid identities. Francophone African cinema, for example, is a vibrant field that engages with both the colonial legacy and contemporary issues related to identities and processes of globalization. Similarly, music from the Portuguese-speaking world, such as Portuguese fado, Brazilian samba and Cape Verdean morna, crosses borders, creating, establishing and updating cultural and emotional but also political relationships.

Another important aspect to be highlighted results from the role of peripheral and/or autonomous initiatives that emerge outside the traditional and mainstream state or commercial circuits. Local cultural movements, independent festivals, alternative publishers and collaborative artistic networks are examples of how Lusophone and Francophone cultures are constantly reinventing themselves. These initiatives often challenge official narratives and create spaces for marginalized voices, promoting cultural diversity that goes beyond national and linguistic boundaries.

The intersection between Lusophony and Francophony can also be explored in contexts where these cultural spheres meet directly, as is the case of African countries that share these two linguistic heritages, such as Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. In these contexts, the interaction between languages ​​and cultures generates both tensions and opportunities for innovative cultural creation.

The Laboratory of Cultural Policies Between Lusophony and Francophony: Culture in Action seeks to analyze and understand the multiple layers of interaction between the Lusophone and Francophone worlds, through government policies, market dynamics or peripheral initiatives. The study of these relations may offer different perspectives on the relations established from the Lusophony and Francophony, in a post-colonial and post-global world, undergoing profound change, promoting diversity and intercultural dialogue.

Proposals:
Proposals for papers should be presented in Portuguese, French or English, up to 300 words (approximately), and sent to Carlos Vargas in (PDF) format: carlos.vargas@fcsh.unl.pt by March 11, 2025. The working languages ​​will be French and/or English. The costs of participation are the responsibility of each participant.

Publication:
The scientific committee plans to edit and publish a book. A call for papers in English will be launched in the meantime. Authors must submit their text with approximately 7,000 words, including bibliography, in APA format (7th edition) by May 30, 2025. Final texts (in Portuguese or French) can be sent by email to Carlos Vargas: carlos.vargas@fcsh.unl.pt

Organization: Political Observatory in collaboration with the University of Ottawa

Scientific Committee: Cristina Montalvão Sarmento, Carlos Vargas, Patrícia Oliveira
The Cultural Policy Laboratory is an event organized by Political Observatory (Lisbon, Portugal) with the support of the Chaire de recherche en francophonie internationale sur les politiques du patrimoine culturel and of the Collège des chaires de recherche sur le monde francophone of the University of Ottawa (Ottawa, Canada).

All information is available for download at: Cultural Policy Laboratory “Between Lusophony and Francophony: Culture in Action”. (available in Portuguese and French)

The Political Observatory invites all interested parties to participate in this initiative.

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