KUALA LUMPUR: Women received great applause for their sacrifices, contributions, courage and dedication.
Romanian ambassador Nineta Bărbulescu led the way in forwarding bouquets and a standing ovation to the fairer sex, during an evening with French-speaking communities, recently.
"Women, all over the world – in whatever fields they have served - have shown courage and dexterity in every day lives.
"Many have been pillars of strength not only at home with their families but in various vocations in their own countries, to promote peace and unity among mankind," she said at the 'Le Buffet de la Francophonie 2022' at the Glasshouse at Seputeh in Bukit Seputeh.
Present were Higher Education Ministry's International Relations Division under-secretary Datin Noorazah Omar and the ambassadors and high commissioners to Belgium, Canada, Egypt, France, Guinea, Poland, Senegal, Switzerland and Vietnam.
The theme for the event was 'Women in Franchophonie'.
In celebrating the role and contributions of women and girls, Nineta singled out several of them.
They were Belgium's singer-songwriter Selah Sue; Vietnam's politician Nguyen Thi Binh; Ukrnaine's writer and feminist Lesia Ukrainka; France's ethnologist Jeanne Cuisinier; Senegal's writer Aminata Sow Fall; Canada's attorney and judge Louise Arbour; Switzerland's feminist activist Marthe Gosteli; Egypt's actress Faten Hamama; Poland's phycist and chemist Marie Curie; Guinea's politician Jeanne Martin Cisse and Romania's soldier Ecaterina Teodoroiu.
In her speech, Nineta shared the heroic story of the young Ecaterina, who was the first Romanian female Army officer.
Ecaterina was revered as the 'Joan of Arc of Romania' for her outstanding bravery, patriotism and self-sacrifice.
Nineta described how Ecaterina, born on Jan 15, 1894 in a small village of Vădeni, was educated as a teacher.
"But when World War I began in Europe, she became a nurse when Romania joined the Allied forces in August 1916.
"When Ecaterina's father was taken prisoner, she volunteered, unprecedentedly to serve in the front line with the combatant army," said Nineta.
Queen Maria of Romania heard about Ecaterina's intentions and courage, and supported her to serve in the military.
"Ecaterina was spurned to become a frontline soldier more so after one of her brothers, Sergeant Nicolae, was killed in battle.
"Despite later being captured during battle, she managed to escape with light wounds on her legs and was warded at Bucharest Hospital.
"There she was visited by King Ferdinand who awarded her the 'Scout Virtue Medal' and the 'Military Virtue Medal 2nd' and the '1st Class'," reminisced Nineta.
Ecaterina was later made an honorary second-lieutenant by King Ferdinand I and given the command of a 25-man platoon of the Army's 7th Company.
"Shortly afterwards, two of her other brothers were also killed in battle.
"Although she was wounded, again, Ecaterina implored to stay behind the front line!
"She strongly refused, requesting to be allowed to join her platoon in the upcoming battle.
"The Romanian lines were heavily attacked that early September 1917.
"While leading her platoon in a counterattack, she was hit by machine gun fire.
"Her last words before dying were: "Forward men, don't give up. I am still with you!" said Nineta.
Ecaterina died on Sept 3, 1917 at 23 years old!
Ecaterina was elevated to the status of a heroine by the people of Romania.
General Henri Berthelot, the brave French commander during WW I, bestowed her the the title of 'Joan of Arc of Romania'.
"Streets and schools were named, books were written, monuments erected all over Romania and movies were made in her memory," said Nineta.
She recounted how on Dec 1 last year – Romania's National Day – where the National Bank of Romania put into circulation a new 20 lei banknote with Ecaterina Teodoroiu's portrait, making her the first named female on a Romanian banknote.
"This story touches the Francophonic spirit of bravery and patriotism, despite all barriers!
"By sharing such unforgettable stories, by listening to our music and 'live' performances, and by tasting culinary delicacies from 11 francophone countries, we are also sharing our precious commonalities in multi-ethnicity and multi-faith with Malaysians!" said Nineta.
She explained that La Francophonie was an international organisation representing 88 countries and regions, where French was the official or customary language.
"A significant proportion of the population is francophones (French speakers) or francophiles, having an affiliation with the French culture.
"Every year on March 20th we celebrate 'The International Day of the Francophonie La Journée Internationale de la Francophonie'.
"In March we celebrate the global French-speaking community of more than 700 million people across five continents.
"March was also celebrated during the Roman Empire as the first month of the year!" Nineta said.
'Egalité, complémentarité, solidarité' is the motto of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) and it has global influence in culture, science, economics, justice, education and peace, worldwide spearheading the human rights.
"Romania joined the OIF in 1993." she said.
On another note, Nineta expressed her gratitude to the countries providing shelter, housing, clothing, schooling and medical services to the almost four million Ukrainian refugee children, women and senior citizens escaping the war with Russia that broke out, since Feb 24.
"They are in their basic human right seeking refuge in European countries, including my own, and we will continue to welcome them and pray that the war ends!"
Meanwhile, as guests savoured traditional food and beverages from the participating countries, several students put up dances and songs for the evening.
From Guinea, Fassou Pascal Koropogui, Oumar Sylla, Amadou Sanoh and Mamadou Thiana Cissé did a vibrant mixed dance.
Vietnamese International School of Kuala Lumpur student Bui Ky Nam did a medley (Edith Piaf; La Vie En Rose; Carlos Eleta Almaran; and Histoire D'un Amour) with his saxophone.
Tarshan Sharma sang Belgian and Malaysian songs (Mimpi - K-Clique; Tak Sangka – Yonnyboi; and Papaoutai – Stromae), while Nurul Izzah Zulkarnain played the acoustic guitar with songs (Camille's Le Festin; Sheila Majid's Antara Anyer dan Jakarta; and Zee Avi's Kantoi).
Lycee Francais Kuala Lumpur student Laurène Buriot sang several classical French numbers (A Paris - Yves Montand; La Java Bleue – Frehel; Mlle chante le Blues - Patricia Kaas; and Padam Padam - Edith Piaf).
From Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Bahasa Antarabangsa, Nur Nazirah Muhammad Din, Puteri Nur Aleesya Hadinin, Nurnasuha Zulkefli, Mahirah Aisyah binti Mustafa, Nur Ulfah Nailah Abdul Halim, Khairunnisa Mohammad Nahar and Nur Aliaa Athirah Fauzi performed traditional malay and indian dances.
Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysia France Institute's Muhammad Eelham Harraz Zuhaimee (vocals) and Muhammad Hezriq Aiman Hisham (guitar) played Gérard Blanc's 'Une Autre Histoire and sang Beyonce's 'Halo'.