An international project that reveals the richness of the cultural diversity of the Francophonie
The Ten Words Caravan was launched in Lyon in 2003 by Thierry Auzer, director of the Théâtre des Asphodèles. In conjunction with the organization of the French Language and Francophonie Week in the Rhône-Alpes region, an event initiated by the Ministry of Culture, he decided to travel to meet the region’s inhabitants, accompanied by filmmaker Eric Guirado, to ask them about the meaning they ascribed to ten French words chosen for the Week. This initiative was complemented in 2004 by artistic workshops designed to encourage people to express themselves through various creative forms.
Starting in 2005, the project expanded internationally with Ten Word Caravans in Senegal, Poland, and the Aosta Valley (Italy). In 2006, projects were also launched in Switzerland, Belgium, Romania, Madagascar, Morocco, and Quebec. That year, Francophone artists and citizens from ten countries gathered in Bucharest and Lyon for the 1st International Forum of Ten Word Caravans. Since then, each year, around thirty artistic teams from all five continents organize a Ten Word Caravan project in their respective territories, showcasing the richness of Francophone cultural and linguistic diversity.
To explore the meaning of words,
beyond their literal definitions, in order to reveal
the cultural richness and diversity
that every human being carries within them.
Building on this intercultural experience and a network of international actors, since 2008 the Caravane des dix mots has been developing various tools on language and Francophonie (publishing books, creating educational tools, etc.) and organises the International Forum of Caravanes des dix mots every two years as part of the Francophonie Summit.
Although the French language belongs to all those who speak it, not everyone has equal access to speech. In light of this observation, the Caravane des dix mots brings together artists and citizens committed to their local communities to promote authentic Francophonie among peoples.
When it was created, the Caravan was inspired by the philosophy of Coluche and Abbé Pierre: if everyone has the right to eat, drink and sleep, then everyone has the right to express themselves, using whatever means they have at their disposal!
Anticipating the 2007 Fribourg Declaration on Cultural Rights, the idea of a Francophonie of peoples that takes into account the needs and concerns of populations who share the use of French in all its diversity was born in 2006 in Bucharest.This Francophonie of peoples is both the death knell of a certain linguistic colonialism and the beginning of a genuine recognition of the richness of cultural diversity.
The Caravan of Ten Words is living proof of a Francophonie that is “easy” to implement, participatory, and capable of adapting to our times and to all continents. It affirms that language is a vehicle for connections and cultures, but also a game, a challenge…
You have to play with words!
The French language, a shared asset at the heart of our missions
Through its various activities, the Caravan of Ten Words has set itself the following objectives:
- Create conditions conducive to all citizens embracing the language as a means of communication, thereby facilitating cultural exchanges between peoples.
- Promote the role of language in cultural identity, thereby promoting cultural and linguistic diversity in all territories.
- Implement everyone’s right to express themselves with a view to accessing citizenship and participating in cultural life.
- Promoting access to artistic and cultural activities in order to contribute to greater social cohesion and combat discrimination.
- Enabling every citizen to speak out and assert their cultural identity through the languages of their choice, including French, is the essence of the Caravane des dix mots project and the principles that guide its actions.
Languages in question…
Download the PDF file containing the 24 question cards that appear below:
The team
Thierry Auzer
Chairman / Director
A musician and then an actor, passionate about Commedia dell’arte, he founded the Théâtre des Asphodèles company in Lyon in 1992. Now director of the Théâtre des Asphodèles, which is both a theatre company and a cultural venue, he is the founder of the Caravane des dix mots project.
Christine Perego
Educational Coordinator
With a PhD in language and culture teaching, and as a teacher and trainer of French as a foreign language, she supports the Caravane des dix mots initiative to develop training and promote linguistic and cultural diversity.
Didier Martin
Educational speaker
Senior citizen, volunteer and community activist. 40 years of teaching French as a foreign language abroad (Alliances Françaises and embassy cultural services) and in France (UPE2A). Active in the Caravane des dix mots and AGIRabcd, a recognised public interest association.
Léa Darcq
Project manager for education and culture
With a degree in Italian studies and modern philology, she considers languages to be bridges to a better understanding of the world, but also of her own language and culture. She has developed an intercultural and multilingual approach. At La Caravane des dix mots, she is responsible for implementing educational and cultural initiatives, helps organise the 2026 Language Biennial, and coordinates educational and international projects.
Jean-François Galmiche
Cultural project manager
A socio-cultural facilitator at the Cultural Centre in Huy (Belgium), he joined the Caravane des dix mots just over two years ago. Impressed by the richness of the project, he gradually became involved in the life of the association, strengthening the team in coordination, international network facilitation and fundraising.
Youna Bonansea-Lemaistre
Project Assistant
As a civic service volunteer at La Caravane des dix mots, Youna is interested in music and theatre, which nourish her way of seeing the world and creating connections. She supports the team in implementing initiatives, including workshops to raise awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity, organising the 2026 Language Biennial, and educational and international projects.
The Administrative Committee
Liliane Bajard, Nathalie Blanc, Anne-Caroline Jambaud, Michel Kneubühler, Egidio Marsico, Christian Philip, Thierry Renard
The Scientific Committee
- Romain Bethoule, Head of Academic Affairs, International Institute for Francophonie (2IF), University of Lyon 3
- Nathalie Blanc, Senior Lecturer in Education Sciences at ESPE-Lyon 1, ICAR Laboratory, Labex ASLAN
- Mathilde Delarue, Academic coordinator of CASNAV (Lyon Academy and teacher at UPE2A)
- Anne-Caroline Jambaud, Director of Arty Farty’s Ideas Division
- Michel Kneubühler, specialist and lecturer in cultural policy, former French language advisor to the Rhône-Alpes Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs (DRAC)
- Egidio Marsico, linguist responsible for scientific mediation at the Maison des Sciences de l’Homme Lyon/Saint-Etienne
- Maud Sérusclat-Natale, Teacher, trainer, doctoral student at Paul-Valéry Montpellier University
- Marie Van Effenterre, Translator in social sciences and literature, English and Serbo-Croatian – French
- Cécile Vesin, Librarian, head of the Pop-up Bookshop at the 2nd Biennale
The volunteers
The Caravane des dix mots team works with volunteers to assist and support it in the context of events or specific tasks (logistical organisation, communication, etc.). It is always looking for people who wish to join the adventure.
Participate
The Caravan of Ten Words is an activist project that you can participate in in various ways!
- Join the Caravan
Are you an artist, a company, or a cultural organisation interested in leading a project on the French language, focusing on linguistic issues in your region? Come aboard the Caravan! A call for projects is launched every year in July and closes at the end of October. - Become a volunteer or join the team as a civic service volunteer
The Caravane des dix mots team is based in Lyon (France) and is regularly looking for people who would like to give their time and skills to various tasks: organising events, awareness-raising workshops for children, students or the general public, translations, dissemination of calls for projects, etc. Contact us!