CANALOLYMPIA: UYI GETS ITS OWN CINEMA

The first cinema hall of the CANALOLYMPIA network was officially handed over to the “mother of universities” by the CANAL+ Group this Thursday, April 3, 2025. The ceremony was presided over by the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo.

At the outset, the President of the CANALOLYMPIA cinema network, Christine PIGEYRE, expressed her emotion and pride in this wonderful journey with the Yaounde audience since the inauguration of the facility on June 14, 2016. Jacques DU PUY, representing the CANAL+ Group, stated: “Our strategic intention was to give an impulse, to create a cinema hall accessible to local communities, allowing them to experience cinema in a theater, and also to have a dedicated space for live performances and African talents.”

In his speech, Prof. Remy Magloire Etoua, Rector of UY1, emphasized that the CANAL+ Group and the prestigious university institution he oversees have, through this act of transfer, written a golden page in their history. He then expressed his gratitude to the entire group for its commitment to actively contributing to the cultural and intellectual development of UY1. Prof. Etoua did not hide his hope that this facility would foster the emergence of cinema legends like Sembene Ousmane, Bassek Ba Kobhio, and others.

In his address, Prof. Jacques FAME NDONGO congratulated UY1 for proudly maintaining its pioneering role. As the first higher education institution in Cameroon, both historically and chronologically, the “mother of universities” is also home to the very first of the 18 CANALOLYMPIA cinema halls in Africa. The Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, also pointed out that since the Faculty of Arts, Letters, and Humanities at UY1 offers a program dedicated to Performing Arts and Cinematography, this hall will help align Cameroonian cinema with international standards.

As a reminder, the facility handed over today consists of a multipurpose hall with 300 comfortable seats, a 10-meter-wide screen, and a security system adapted to all types of events. Its esplanade features a stage and can accommodate thousands of spectators.

CIS-UY1