French Arts Festival 2009

As you know, Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur and the French Embassy in Malaysia are bringing you the eighth annual French Art Festival. Clear your calendars from 7 to 29 May, because lots of fun is heading your way. You don’t even need to part with your hard-earned cash for a plane ticket to Paris or stress out with a French phrasebook! It’s all coming to you!

Catch an acoustic performance by gypsy band Beltuner led by an energetic accordionist on 8 and 9 May at No Black Tie at 10.00pm. Admission is RM45 inclusive of one drink. For something classical, enjoy a baroque duet by French countertenor Thierry Grégoire and Brazilian theorbo (similar to a lute or a Malaysian gambus) player Ronaldo Lopes at Dewan Filarmonik Petronas on 17 May at 8pm. They will perform pieces from the 16th and 17th centuries by several composers: Monteverdi, Luigi Rossi, Henry Purcell, Michel Lambert and Marc Antoine Charpentier. Songs are in French, Italian and English with admission at RM10 per person. It’s also a free seating event so chope your places early!

For theatre lovers, a French play directed by Odile Dupré titled Avare, malade et bourgeois will be performed at the French School of Kuala Lumpur on 23 and 24 May at 6pm. The original production is based on four of Molière’s plays (The Bourgeois Gentleman, The Miser, The Imaginary Invalid and The Pretentious Young Ladies). The performance is in French and admission is by donation.

For those who like imbibing, a philosophical conference and tasting of champagne is something to look forward to. This bubbly event starts at 6.30pm on 16 May at Holiday Inn Glenmarie. Admission is RM40 but places are limited to 40 participants. To reserve a spot, send your details to culture.afkl@gmail.com.

French Arts Fest would not be complete without a showcasing of French films. From 7–17 May, the French Film Festival will screen six movies at GSC in Pavilion, Mid Valley, and 1 Utama. Log on to www.gsc.com.my to make a booking and for info on the films and screening times. Check out www.faf09.com for complete program details. 

Text Maybritt Rasmussen