Regine Whittlesey, left, introduces Cecile Thornton, moderator for La Francophonie in Maine on Friday at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston. The discussion featured panelists from five French-speaking countries: France, Canada, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Panelists and several audience members spoke about their connection to the French language. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Lucien Mathieu and Marj Patrick attended La Francophonie in Maine on Friday at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston Auburn College in Lewiston. Mathieu was raised in Lewiston where his first language was French. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Panelists for La Francophonie in Maine held Friday at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College in Lewiston are, from left, Nicole Morin-Scribner, Edho Mukendi, Mohamed Ibrahim and Huguette Carolle Cyatengerwa. The panelists and several audience members spoke about their connection to the French language during the hourlong discussion. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal