1.0Fukuoka Nowhttps://www.fukuoka-now.comfukuoka nowhttps://www.fukuoka-now.com/author/fukuoka-now-editor/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="VCvrUjz2rQ"><a href="https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/francine-meoule/">Francine Méoule</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.fukuoka-now.com/en/francine-meoule/embed/#?secret=VCvrUjz2rQ" width="600" height="338" title="“Francine Méoule” — Fukuoka Now" data-secret="VCvrUjz2rQ" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.fukuoka-now.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://i0.wp.com/www.fukuoka-now.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Screen-Shot-2012-10-30-at-12.19.261.png?fit=502%2C501&ssl=1502501Francine Méoule, the new Director of the Institut français du Japon – Kyushu, is keen to get started in her new role bridging France and Kyushu through culture. Francine has spent nine years of her career in Asia and loves it! She sees much potential in Fukuoka and Kyushu and thinks the institute could diversify to include more pop culture such as manga and technology. She plans to visit many places around Kyushu to familiarize herself with the region and develop networks from which the institute can initiate new events and also broaden awareness of their existing activities. In addition to events by French artists and musicians and a monthly cinema night at Nishitetsu Hall, the institute also operates the area’s largest French language school complete with a resource library of books and DVDs. This year marks the 30th anniversary of sister city relations between Bordeaux and Fukuoka. The institute has many events already planned, details of which can be found on their website in French and Japanese. On a personal level, Francine is looking forward to biking around the city, joining a yoga school and getting settled in!