Savour the French flavours

Ruwini Jayawardana

Several main regions in Sri Lanka will be able to savour a bit of France as the second chapter of the French Spring Festival in Sri Lanka hits the isle.

French street artist performance

The Embassy of France, the Alliance Francaise de Kotte in Colombo and the General Delegation of Alliance Francaise in Sri Lanka and Maldives together with the Cultural Ministry have gotten together to organize this venture. French lovers will be dazzled by the art, cultural and gastronomic ventures in the line up which unfurls in several locations in Colombo and other areas in the island from June 18 to July 14.

Entrance for this multi-disciplinary festival is free of charge. Most of the events in Colombo will take place at the BCIS Auditorium in the BMICH premises and at the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel. Selected events of the festival will also take place in Kandy, Matara, Galle and Jaffna. Male in the Maldives too will join hands in this venture by hosting a few events.

Speaking at the press conference which was held to unveil details of the French Spring Festival French Ambassador in Sri Lanka Christine Robichon said that the festival is aimed at enhancing the bonds between the two counties.

“It will strengthen the friendship between the two nations and give a picture of each other’s cultures to the onlookers,” she said adding that the concept of the event is to share high quality contemporary artistic experiences with the audience.

The French Spring Festival has existed in various parts of Asia for the past 20 years. Sri Lanka hosted the first French Spring last year.

Around 12 events have been included in the the French Spring Festival 2013 schedule. These comprise music, dance, cinema, photography, street art, fashion, science, urban development, communication and gastronomy. Another highlight in connection with the Sri Lanka – France liaison is that Kelaniya University undergraduate Harini Kumarapperuma will represent Sri Lanka at France’s LabCitoyen 2013 Youth Camp.

She won the LabCitoyen contest held in April 2013 organized by the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldives in collaboration with the Institut francais (French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the Allaince Francaise de Kotte in Colombo. She will be in France to form alliances with other youth from July 6 to 16.

*********************

[French Spring Festival programme list]

June 21:
Fete de la musique at Mihilaka Medura, BMICH, from 3 pm to 11 pm

June 22:
Caravan Quartet Concert at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, 9 pm

June 24 to 29:
French street artist performance at BMICH. Opening on June 24, 6pm

June 29: Fashion Design Performance by Deneth at BMICH, 6 pm Caravan Quartet concert in Male

June 30:
Caravan Quartet Concert in Male

July 1 to 14:
Bon Appetit! French Cuisine at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel

July 2:
Book launch: The Bonsoir Diaries by Kumar de Silva at BCIS, BMICH, 6.30 pm Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu in Galle

July 3:
Caravan Quartet Concert in Kandy Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu in Matara

July 4:
Symposium on urban development at BCIS, BMICH, from 9 am to 5 pm Documentary film A thirsty World by Yann Arthus-Bertrand at BCIS, BMICH, at 6 pm Photo exhibition From Mirissa to Bouzigues by Senaka Abeyratne at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel from July 4 to 14

July 5:

Scientific exhibition Water at the Heart of Science at the BCIS lobby and corridors from July 5 to14

Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu at BMICH, 7 pm

Jean-Pierre Baraglioli Concert in Kandy

July 6:

Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu in Kandy Jean-Pierre Baraglioli Concert in Galle

July 7:

Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu in Kandy Jean-Pierre Baraglioli Concert in Matara

July 8:

Hybride contemporary solo dance show by Celine Pradeu in Jaffna (to be confirmed) Jean-Pierre Baraglioli Concert in Male

July 9:
Jean-Pierre Baraglioli Concert in Male

July 11:
French Film Festival opening at BCIS, BMICH, 6.30 pm. The opening movie is Flying Fish

July 12:
French Film Festival at BCIS: The Painting, 4 pm, and The Tree, 6.30 pm

July 13:
French Film Festival at BCIS: Snows of Kilimandjaro, 4 pm, and The Minister, 6.30 pm Book launch: The Bonsoir Diaries by Kumar de Silva in Kandy

July 20:
Book launch: The Bonsoir Diaries by Kumar de Silva in Galle

August 22:
Book launch and conference: Ethnicity, Politics and Cinema in Sri Lanka by Vilasnee Tampoe Hautin in Matara

August 23:
Book launch and conference: Ethnicity, Politics and Cinema in Sri Lanka by Vilasnee Tampoe Hautin in Colombo