This is the first of three listings on “Voilah! 2016”. This piece features the Arts and Film highlights of the seven-week festival, which will see events exploring French Visual and Performing Arts, Food, Film, Science, and Culture.
If you’re concerned about the dearth of exciting cultural events after last year’s SG50 bonanza, fear not, for the Institut Français Singapour, together with the French Embassy in Singapore, French Chamber of Commerce, and Alliance Française are kicking things up a notch to celebrate 51 years of friendly diplomatic and cultural relationships between France and Singapore.
“Voilah! 2016” has just about something for everyone, offering inimitable French creativity and innovation in visual and performing arts, gastronomy experiences, retrospective cinematography, science, and cultural symposiums in a peerless French festival in the region, sans pareil. Never complain again of having nothing to do on a lazy Sunday afternoon from the 15th of April to the 31st of May as a festival for the masses arrives right at your doorstep.
Whether it’s a romantic evening, a night out with friends, or fuelling your budding Francophilia, in the words of His Excellency Mr Benjamin Dubertret, Ambassador of France to Singapore the organising partners hope to “provide the platform for French and Singaporean communities to meet, exchange ideas and contribute to the cultural vibrancy in both countries”. Immerse yourself in the arts. Take advantage of the great deals on French food and wine. Be a part of the leading edge of French engagement with the region and the co-creation of a nouveau flavour for a truly transboundary cultural phenomenon.
Main Stage
The “Voilah! 2016” opening weekend (15-17 April) is set to stun whether the way to your heart is through your gut or glowing balloon art. These fantastic shows set the stage for the following seven weeks of film, performing arts, gastronomy, exhibitions, and cultural immersion.
Luminéoles Ballet
15 April, 7:30PM, Marina Bay Area
16 April, 7:15PM, Supertree Grove, Gardens By The Bay
Hailing from the Lyon Festival of Lights, the intricate dance between coloured kites and flowers will transform the atmosphere at both prominent Singaporean locations.
Gourmet Picnic and Classic Concert on French Repertoire
17 April, 6PM, Singapore Botanic Gardens
Taking direction straight out of the opening lines of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”, music and food come hand in hand at Botanic Gardens as The Open String Qaurtet pairs with Marianne Yi’s martial arts performance to deliver an innovative cross-cultural exploration.
Transboundary Rivers By Franck Vogel
16 April – 30 May 2016
Colonnade and Supertree Grove , Gardens By The Bay
Vogel brings global water issues surrounding transboundary rivers to the public fore with a photo exhibition featuring his forays into seven major rivers, following up with a conference on 16 April 2016 at 3:30PM.
French Animation Film Festival
27 – 29 May 2016
Alliance Française Theatre
For children and adults alike, featuring: The Little Prince, Les Moomins Sur La Riviera, Phantom Boy, La Montagne Magique, and more.
Cine-Club May
3 – 31 May 2016
Alliance Française Theatre
A quintessentially french cinematic take on the most accessible subject of them all: love. With titles such as: Le Nom Des Gens, La Belle Saison, 9 Mois Ferme, and more.
Gaumont: 120 Years of Cinema
15 Apr – 15 May 2016
National Design Centre
Casting light on the Gaumont Film Company’s 120 Years of screen history, the newly minted National Design Centre plays host to a cinematic adventure for the ages.
Superstars of Ballet
29 April – 1 May 2016
Marina Bay Sands Theatre
A phenomenal movement of 12 principal ballet dancers in the world, including three from the Paris Opera Ballet, showcasing highlights from beloved world-class ballets such as Gislle, Don Quixote, and Le Corsaire.
Le Clown des Marais
16 May – 22 May 2016
72-13
Come meet Lucky from Waiting for Godot or Shakespeare’s Richard III incarnate in one actor – Jean Lambert-wild, Artistic Director of Theatre de L’Union – Centre Dramatique National du Limousin. It promises to be exciting beyond belief.
Yves Saint-Laurent “Birth of a Legend” Photo Exhibition
28 Apr – 21 May 2016
Alliance Française Gallery
Featuring photographs by Pierre Boulat about the legend of Yves-Saint Laurent and his first collection in 1962.
Voilah! 2016 isn’t to be missed, come and get your French fix.
For more information, visit www.voilah.sg!
