FrancoPhil 2014: a little something for all your senses

See, hear, taste, and experience France. Here in the Philippines.

Yes, you don’t need a ticket to Paris to do all these. The Embassy of France in Manila and the Alliance Francaise de Manille is bringing France to our country through these activities:

Brave New Worlds: My Utopia in Your Dystopia
Contemporary art exhibit
April 26 to June 12, MET Tall Galleries, Metropolitan Museum of Manila

A collection of 50 artworks by 24 European and Filipino artists, this exhibit showcases the parallelism of practice among Filipino and European artists, and how they create art in the verge of cultural breakdown. Painter Manuel Ocampo curated the exhibit. The exhibit opened April 26 and will run until June 12, as the country celebrates Independence Day.

In line with the exhibit, French artist Fabrice Hybert will be coming to Manila for a meet-and-greet session at the MET on May 21. French video and film screenings will also happen in May at the METlab. Sign up for the meet and greet here. I’ll be there so I hope to see you there, too!

Visit the MET at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Museum hours are from 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday; and closed on Sundays and holidays. For more Email info@metmuseum.ph, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/metmanila, Website: www.metmuseum.ph

Pockemon Hip Hop Dance Concert
May 28, Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier

The Pockemon Crew pays tribute to cinema and the origins of hip-hop in New York during
the 1940s through an electrifying dance performance.

Launch of “Photographing Heritage”
June 9, Alliance française de Manille

Renowned French photographer Ferrante Ferranti will be visiting the Philippines in June to photograph the UNESCO World Heritage declared Baroque Churches of the Philippines in Intramuros, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Iloilo. To raise awareness on the issues of the preservation of heritage and climate change, he will also be visiting Bohol, Cebu and Samar, areas affected by the supertyphoon and earthquake last year. Ferrante will be leading a
series of conferences in the country about ‘Photographing Heritage’.

French Film Festival
June 9 to 15, Greenbelt 3 cinemas

Bringing the best of French cinema to Filipino audiences for almost 20 years already, this year’s much awaited French Film Festival is set on June 9-15.

Quatuor Parisii String Quartet Concert 
June 10, Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier

Classical music lovers will be treated to a concert by Quatuor Parisii String Quartet on June
10 at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. The string quartet, composed of top prizewinners in instrument and chamber music, was formed in 1981 and is extensively touring the world, bringing both classical and contemporary repertoire to many audiences. This will be their first concert in our country.

Fete de la Musique
June 21, A-Venue Open Parking Area in Makati and Plaza Maestranza, Intramuros

Fete de la Musique is a much anticipated event in France. I remember passing by one event during one of our concert tours with the Madz. This year, watch out as two venues play host for this rocking event.

Tete d’enfant Modern Circus Show
October 7,  CCP Little Theater

Finally, this will push through! I heard about this project last year when I was still working at the CCP. Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino would be an interesting venue for this circus act.

Semaine du Goût – French Gastronomy Week
October 16 to 24, Manila and Cebu

French and Filipinos speak the same language–that is, food. “Gastronomique”, the two-week Semaine du Goût, or French “Week of Taste” will be celebrated in Manila and Cebu from October 16 to 24 to promote the art of choosing, cooking and eating good food in the Philippines through a series of seminars, workshops, dinners, and food markets. Renowned experts in winemaking and gastronomy will grace the festival.

So, mark your calendars! And share this with your friends and family, too. Activities like these open doors to different cultures without the need to travel abroad.

For further information about the events:
Sabrina Durand, Cultural Coordinator
Alliance française de Manille
0917 892 8986 / 895 7585
sabrina@alliance.ph
www.alliance.ph