The francophone retreat, organized every year for over 20 years, has always been an opportunity to bring together the lay francophone community in a warm and joyful atmosphere. Last year, for the first time in 20 years, Plum Village was unable to hold this annual “family reunion”. At the end of April 2021, the first online francophone retreat was organized with the title “In the joy of being together”. We came together to practice mindfulness and learn how to cultivate fearlessness, stability and inclusiveness in ourselves. There were about 400 participants who joined the retreat.
We would like to invite you to enjoy some photos of this retreat.
“Go as a river” 
Chanting “The Insight that brings us to the other shore” in French before the talk. 
The New Hamlet sisters singing before the talk. 
Sr. Dao Nghiem offered the talk “Cultivating joy in the face of the unknown”. 
Brother Phap Linh with the talk “The other shore”. 
Questions and Answers session with brothers and sisters. 
From Vietnam, Sr. Chan Không gave the talk “The power of compassion”. 
Some long-term lay friends joined the sharing circle online. 
Sharing circle 
Sharing circle 
French brothers translated some activities from French to English for non-French speaking brothers and sisters. 
The joy of being together online. 
Doing walking meditation in the beautiful green spring. 
A moment of stability 
Our brothers offered songs in the closing session. 
A warm and joyful moment.
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