Sunday Times 2
It’s time for the French Spring Festival
It is that time of the year when the French Spring comes to Sri Lanka. A festival of French culture, the fourth edition of the French Spring Festival
News conference to announce the event. Pic by Athula Devapriya
will come alive in several locations in Colombo as well as in other parts of the country from June 4 to July 14 with the participation of local and French artistes.
While different venues such as Galle Face Hotel, the BMICH, the National Art Gallery, National Film Corporation, Lionel Wendt Gallery, Lanka Institute of Fashion Technology and the Deanna School of Dancing will serve as the host venues for the programmes held in Colombo, the events promoting arts and cultural exchanges will be held in Kandy, Matara, Galle and Jaffna.
A multi disciplinary festival that celebrates the arts, literature, and culture, the festival is organised by the Embassy of France, the Alliance Francaise network in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Sri 
Lanka, Galle Face Hotel and Jet Airways as well as several other local and French companies.
At a recent news briefing to announce the inauguration of the French Spring Festival 2015, the Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Jean-Marin Schuh said it is an event that reinforces the cultural ties between the two countries. Last year’s festival had been a huge success attracting about 10,000 spectators, he said.
Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs of Sri Lanka, Bernard Wasantha pointed out that as much as the event helped develop cultural ties between the two countries, it is greatly beneficial to local artistes.
Speaking at the press briefing, the Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of France to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Michel Treutenaere elaborating on the programme said, that although in the previous years the festival started with International Music Day and concluded with Bastille Day, this year’s French Spring Festival will begin with a scientific and technical twist to it by way of forum, debates and an exhibition to raise awareness on climate change.
The photography exhibition ‘60 Solutions Against Climate Change’ by the French photographer Yann Arthus Bertrand will focus on themes of new development models, feeding the world, energy efficiency and sustainable development. Running parallel to the theme on climate change will be a half–day forum on the themes of sustainable urban planning, renewable energy, mitigation adaptation to the impacts of climate change, technology transfer and development, green finance and sustainable architecture.
A festival born in France 33 years ago, the ‘Fete de La Musique’ (Music Day) that brings together amateur and professional French musicians to perform is a much anticipated event. This year’s Fete de La Musique’ (Music Day) will see a popular French band Sonith playing in Colombo along with several Sri Lankan bands and artistes. Subsequent to the performances, several workshops will also be conducted by the artistes.
While the public will get the opportunity to experience the cultural diversity in Cinema through several animated movie screening, including the film Aya de Yopougon by the French film director and writer Marguerite Abouet, the famous French graffiti artist Noe Two will also invade public spaces in Colombo, Kandy and Matara with his creative art.
Also included in the French Spring Festival will be a fashion exhibition which captures not just the creations inspired by leading French designers but also a portfolio and photography exhibition that unfolds the behind-the-scenes experience of making of a couture dress.
Media personality Kumar de Silva will also present his annual black and white photographic collection- The Streets of Paris Nostalgie 05.
All the events, except the forum are open to the public free of charge. More inquiries can be obtained via 2639400.