Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 27: The Department of French at St Aloysius Pre-University College organised ‘Fierte - The French fest on Saturday, October 25, celebrating the charm and richness of the French language and culture. True to its name, Fierte - meaning ‘pride’ in French, provided students a vibrant platform to showcase their intellect, creativity and appreciation for global cultures. The fest was coordinated by the French students under the guidance of Mark Pereira and Shane Pereira.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ, principal; Fr Avinash D’Souza SJ, chief guest; Vilma Fernandes, vice principal of Commerce and Arts; Inas Dias, dean of Commerce and Arts; and staff convenors Mark Pereira and Shane Pereira.

The programme began with a prayer, followed by a symbolic sand-pouring ceremony in the French tricolour - blue, white, and red, marking the official inauguration of Fierte. Cimantha Crizzle Tauro extended a warm welcome, while Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ commended the department’s efforts in promoting intercultural awareness and encouraged students to embrace diverse cultures to foster unity and respect.

Fr Avinash D’Souza SJ began his address by singing Edith Piaf’s classic ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’ (‘I regret nothing’), inspiring students to live passionately, dream boldly and cherish their choices. He also highlighted the beauty of the French language and urged students to explore its art, music and heritage.

The fest featured seven creative competitions - Rhapsodie de Strasbourg (Group Singing), Eclat de Voix (Solo & Duet Singing), Temoins de la Mode (Mock Court), Noir et Blanc (Pencil Sketch), Saveurs & Savoir-Faire (Cookie Decorating), Grace en Marche (Fashion Show), and Mr & Ms Fierte. Colourful stalls featuring French-inspired delicacies, handmade crafts and art exhibits added a festive charm to the event. The band Inversion and the college dancers enlivened the atmosphere with their energetic performances.

During the valedictory ceremony, Mark Pereira highlighted the vision behind Fierte as a celebration of creativity and cultural exchange. Shane Pereira proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to everyone who made the event a success. St Agnes Pre-University College emerged as the overall champions, while St Aloysius High School secured the runners-up trophy. The ceremony was compered by Jazlyn Saldanha and Anneira D’Souza.