WFD and CinéSourds signed a MOU to promote cultural and linguistic identity of the global Deaf Community

Colin Allen, President of the WFD, and David Keyer, Director of CinéSourds, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organisations in London, the United Kingdom, on 15 March 2017.

The MOU acknowledges the WFD as an official patron of the Clin d’Oeil Festival, an international festival of deaf culture and performing arts organised by the CinéSourds. It also outlines the two organisations’ commitment to promote the richness and diversity of deaf culture and the arts in sign language.

Founded in 2003, Clin d’Oeil Festival is held every two years in July. It showcases deaf performing arts including theatre, dance, film, visual arts, and street shows in sign language as well as exhibition. It also hosts workshops for children and youth.

This festival aligns with the WFD’s goal and the Articles stipulated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in recognising sign languages as equal languages on par with spoken languages, as well as being an essential part of the cultural and linguistic identity of the global Deaf Community.

Mr Allen commented, “The main focus of the WFD is to highlight the importance of sign language in all aspects of life. The Clin d’Oeil Festival supports this goal by offering a platform to showcase theatre, film, and other performing arts through sign language. Such cultural and linguistic festivals empower deaf people and create awareness in the wider society The WFD is pleased to partner with Clin d’Oeil Festival through this collaborative agreement.”

Mr Keyer added, “This is the first time in history that both organisations are partnering each other to promote our common goals. It is important to demonstrate through our mutual cooperation how organisations with similar goals can collaborate. Clin d’Oeil would like to express our thanks to the WFD for supporting the global deaf culture.”

The  next Clin d’Oeil Festival will be from 6 to 9 July 2017. Learn more here.