(One of
the exciting sights in store! Photo by Dominique Chauvin)
South
Africa applauds success of the France –South Africa Seasons 2012-2013 with
closing ceremony in Durban.
Earlier this year the heads of state for France
and South Africa entered a multifaceted bilateral collaboration, a wide-ranging
collaboration called "France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013". The
purpose was to improve mutual understanding and contribute to the diversification
of South Africa's image in France and, in turn, France’s image in South Africa
by emphasizing the modernity and values that the two countries share.
These reciprocal Seasons are led on the
South African side, by the national department of Arts and Culture, with the
support of a variety of government departments including Science and
Technology, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Higher and Basic Education.
Bongani Tembe, South African Commissioner-General
for the Seasons (who also heads the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra) hails the
endeavour as a huge success both here in South Africa and in France and has far
exceeded the organizers’ expectations in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.
“Two different hemispheres house these two
countries France and South Africa and yet there is a distinct commonality
between the two when it comes to areas of innovative economy, strong sporting
traditions, scientific and technological expertise and excellent universities,
for a start,” says Tembe. “The French Season in South Africa 2012 provided a
unique and varied platform from whence we could both explore these common
interests which resulted in the strengthening of ties between our two countries
without a doubt.”
Pointing out that high levels of activity
on social media platforms provided a good indication of the tremendous support
by South Africans of French Seasons projects, Tembe continued: “There were over
100 projects, exhibitions, concerts, performances, colloquiums and interactive
sessions which occurred across South Africa during the past six months of the
French Season. Within the programme was something for everyone and from the field
of arts and culture alone, the Season catered for lovers of dance, music, film,
theatre literature, visual arts and a variety of music genres, where the
programme appealed to young and old as well as to traditionalists and
supporters of cultural innovation. The French Season in our country allowed South
African’s to experience French exhibitions and performances which might
otherwise never have made their way to our shores.”
The closing ceremony of the French Season
in South Africa will take place in Durban on November 17, 2012, and will
feature a spectacular outdoor show called Place
des Anges (Angels’ Place) utilizing various buildings in the city centre,
including the Playhouse and City Hall (also known as the Durban Arts and
Cultural Precinct).
“Durban was chosen as the perfect
destination to hold the official closing ceremony for the Season because of its
large diversity of cultures,” says Tembe.”In a way never been seen before in Durban,
in fact on the African continent, France’s Studios de Cirque have created the
unforgettable aerial displays around the world for a decade now and this is a
once in a life time opportunity for the folk of the City of Durban to come out and
be the centre of the action.”
The public can expect nothing less than one
and a half tons of feathers dropped down onto them by
glorious angels floating across the sky above in one of the world’s most
splendid aerial displays. A half an hour of extreme happiness and joy promises
to be spread across all cultures and ages as these twisting and twirling angelic
trapeze artists release a cascade of feathers from suitcases and umbrellas on
the unsuspecting crowds below. Starting with a solitary feather, gently
fluttering to earth through the darkened sky, evolving into white plumes in its
wake, the onlookers will watch this unprecedented spectacle, a free show,
France’s cultural gift to them.
The French Season in South Africa opened in
June this year and closes officially with this event, and will be followed by
the South African Season in France between May and December, 2013. This follows
the request of the highest authorities in the two countries who wish to promote
and reinforce strong, deep bonds that unite each in the field of culture and to
establish long term relationship and to improve mutual understanding whilst
contributing to the diversification of France’s image in South Africa and South
Africa’s image in France by emphasizing the
modernity and values that the two countries share.
For several years, France has been engaged
in a series of reciprocal Seasons with its key international partners (China,
Japan, India, Turkey, Russia and Brazil among others). With South Africa, this
will be the first time that a sub-Saharan country is involved in the Seasons
with France.
Laurent Clavel, French Commissioner-General
for the Seasons, said: “The French Season has offered South Africans a glimpse
of the culture scene in modern day France, which is contemporary and dynamic,
and embraces the diversity of our society. In the areas of science, education
and trade, we have focused on the areas of mutual interest and once again have
brought some of our most innovative work to the fore.”
More information from Tanya van Agthoven
Marais on + 27 (0) 82 747 9738 or email tva_pr@global.co.za
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