The Alliance Française de Kotte, Sri Lanka’s newest French language and cultural centre, celebrates “Fête de la Musique” (International Music Day) with a gala concert at the Galle Face Hotel on Sunday, 20 June, commencing at 3.00 pm and going well into the night.
This musical event is entrance free and features a varied and interesting line-up representing different forms and genres of music.
Billed to perform at this grand event are students from the University of Kelanyia as well as from the Colombo French International School and a number of young Sri Lankan artistes such as Slipping Chairs, Triloka and maestro drummer Ravibandhu Vidyapathi. Also performing will be Jean-Claude Meurisse’s “Minimal Trio” from France, the local rock group “French Connection” and Sri Lanka’s popular music outfit ‘Anno Domini’
This popular event began in 1982 when the French Minister of Culture Jack Lang declared June 21 as ‘Fête de la Musique’. The significance of June 21 lies in the fact that it is also the first day of summer in France, the day of the Summer Solstice and the ‘longest day of the year’ when the sun sets well after 9.00 pm.
In keeping with the spirit of Fête de la Musique, the whole of France literally explodes into one big musical extravaganza on this day with both amateur and professional performances taking place at every conceivable venue all across the country – village squares, railway stations, churches, hospitals, town squares, the banks of the river Seine in Paris etc etc, etc …
Since then Fête de la Musique has spread its popularity beyond the geographical boundaries of France and is now a worldwide musical festival. Sri Lanka too has been celebrating Fête de la Musique for many years. Since 21 June is a Monday, celebrations in Colombo will take place the day prior for greater convenience.
As the ONLY recognised French language teaching centre in Colombo and Greater Colombo affiliated to the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris and recognized by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka, the Alliance Française de Kotte is proud to take the lead this year and celebrate with its Sri Lankan partners a joyful ‘Fête de la Musique’. |
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