THE FRANCE - UKRAINE NIGHT AT THE CFO
On April 22, 2026, the French Omani Cultural Center (CFO) hosted a profound cinematic and photographic showcase, marking a historic milestone for the "Muscat-Kyiv-Paris Axis". The evening, held in a spirit of Franco-Ukrainian friendship, brought together the Omani diplomatic community and art enthusiasts to witness a powerful demonstration of how the Sultanate of Oman serves as a vital platform for global solidarity and cultural truth. In their welcoming speeches, both Ambassador of Ukraine H.E. Olga Selykh and Ambassador of France H.E. Nabil Hajlaoui accentuated the power of arts, the engaging influence of culture, and the necessity and strong universal wish for peace across different regions of the world.
Christophe Beyssier's "Life Despite Everything"
The centerpiece of the evening was the screening of "Ukraine: La vie malgré tout" (Ukraine: Life Despite Everything). Christophe Beyssier, a seasoned photojournalist, spent months in late 2025 documenting the "invisible" side of the conflict—the daily struggle to maintain normalcy, to raise children, and to rebuild lives amidst the echoes of war.
His documentary is a masterclass in empathy, showing the world that life in Ukraine doesn't just "continue"—it thrives in defiance of hardship.
Maya Stephany: A Visual Bridge of the Heart
Accompanying the film was a unique exhibition by Maya Stephany. Known for her evocative portraiture and witty scenography, Stephany's lens captures the individual, pulsating human souls behind the raw headlines. Together, the film and the gallery create a profound visual "Bridge of the Heart," seamlessly linking the classic French Art de Vivre with the unyielding, resilient Ukrainian spirit.
Under the joint patronage of the diplomatic missions, this strategic initiative at the CFO proved that even in an ever-shifting global environment, culture and creative expression remain our most resilient, unbreakable currency.
