Congrès de la Culture Française en Floride is an annual event taking place on Feb. 6 and 7 that brings together French students from across Florida. For over 70 years, the event has fostered connections among students, promoted the French language, and provided opportunities to compete in various categories, including theater, poetry, singing, and academic knowledge.
“The idea is obviously to promote the French language, but also to show students that they are not alone,” French teacher and French Honor Society sponsor Elena Khlyabich said. “There are other kids who love French, who may have French posters in their room, and who want to connect with others who share their interests.”The competition offers a range of events for different levels, from French I to Advanced Placement students. Participants engage in theater, singing, writing competitions and an academic-style contest called “Casse-Tête,” which tests students’ knowledge of French culture and history.
“I always like theater because French writing is beautiful and has a rich tradition,” Khlyabich said. “I also love the trivia aspect because we practice it weekly, and it helps students engage with the language in a fun way.”
Competing at Congrès presents challenges, but according to students who attended in previous years, learning from experience is key.
“I remember last year when I did my pièce de théâtre I knew my lines forward and backward, but when we performed some of my partners forgot theirs and had to improvise,” sophomore Samiya Neely said. “This ended up changing the story and really affected our performance. If we had worked together more as a team, we could have been better prepared and probably would have earned a higher score overall,”
Neely added that nerves can also be a challenge.
“I recommend not paying attention to the judges,” she said. “When I did my competition, we had Penelope do our introduction. I looked at the two judges and they seemed so bored and annoyed to be there. It was really discouraging, especially because I worked so hard to prepare for that exact moment, and they already seemed disappointed before we even started.”
Khlyabich emphasized that while some schools treat Congrès as an intense competition, she prefers to see it as a retreat for her students — a way to bond, learn and enjoy French culture outside the classroom. The event remains a highlight for many students, fostering a love for French and strengthening their skills in a dynamic and engaging environment.
“I watched different students compete, and the ones who really stood out were the ones who made it clear how much effort they had put into their performance,” Neely said. “I remember watching a girl perform a poetry reading — I didn’t even understand the words, but the way she presented herself, with so much emotion and even a costume to match the theme, made the meaning clear. It was one of the only times I saw a judge actually look happy to be there.”
Neely said she encourages students to focus on the experience of Congrès rather than just the awards and competition.
“While Congrès is a great opportunity to work, improve and showcase skills, I think students should focus on the fun of it,” she said. “Meeting new people, getting to know their classmates better and enjoying everything the event has to offer. Focusing only on the awards can be discouraging, especially if things don’t go as planned, but embracing the experience makes it much more rewarding.”
By Jenna Naters