(The Prince Imperial Memorial)
This
year marks the 21st Anniversary of the establishment of La Route du Prince
Impérial, Louis Napoléon (The Route of the Prince Impérial, Louis Napoleon), a
bold tourism initiative that follows the scenic pilgrimage route through
KwaZulu-Natal, taken by a mother in mourning as she followed the footsteps of
her son to where he was killed during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879.
The
Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon was killed in an ambush at uQweqwe, near Nqutu,
on June 1, 1879. The following year on the anniversary of his death, his
mother, the Empress Eugénie, spent the night in vigil at the very spot, which
is now marked as a monument to him.
Who
would have thought that 138 years later, the monument would play an important
role driving a small, but vital tourism injection into the community at
uQweqwe.
This
year, the Alliance Française, Pietermaritzburg, and the French Presence in
KwaZulu-Natal cultural tourism research development project, present a
programme of engaging activities with a number of partners during the month of
May – Africa month. Both associations play a valuable networking function in
connecting France, Reunion Island and other Francophone countries with South
Africa.
Early
May sees a call to action for people to support Art in the Park. The
Pietermaritzburg Amateur Music Society then sets the tone for French week with
its Musique Sacrée concert of French
sacred music at the Lutheran Church, Hayfields in Pietermaritzburg on May 21 at
14h30, 2017.
A week
later, on The Midlands Amble, a Sunday gathering at Albert Falls commemorates
the first night’s “camp” of the Empress Eugénie, when she came on her sorrowful
pilgrimage.
On May
28, a guided visit to the Msunduzi Museum will see a programme of school
activities which includes a history presentation on the Anglo-Zulu war as well
as readings and worksheets on related topics.
The
Empress Eugénie and The Prince Imperial wines produced by Domaine des Dieux of the
Himmel-en-Aarde Valley in Hermanus are celebrated during this week, and on
Africa Day, May 31 at 13h00, the annual Prince Imperial lunchtime concert takes
place at The Old Prison / Project Gateway in Pietermaritzburg. The concert
features the Sobantu School Choir, the Sobantu acapella group, the dance
performers from Chistlehurst Arts & Academics, as well as the Impisi
Emnyama Zulu dancers, and Exquiniqué Fashion that will present its own unique
brand!
That
night, a Franco-Italian pizza evening at Pizzology further celebrates the
historical genealogy of the Bonapartes and the present day entente cordiale
that exists in our country.
Dr
Andrew-John Bethke will give a special anniversary organ recital at 19h00 in
the Lutheran Church, Hayfields on June 1 - the commemoration day of the
Prince’s death and the anniversary day of the Route.
On June 2,
The Embassy of France, the French Institute, the Alliance and the Napoleon
Foundation, Paris present a concert at the Tatham Art Gallery to celebrate
local talent and welcome His Excellency the Ambassador of France, Mr Christophe
Farnaud and other international guests.
The
evening starts with the launch of the publication by Otterley Press of The French Prince: Tragedy to Transformation
by Glenn Flanagan followed by the award ceremony of Les Palmes Académiques
to Heather Peel, Head of French at Hilton College for her contribution to the
teaching of French. A concert follows featuring Sandile Mabaso, a celebrated
opera singer from KwaZulu-Natal, the Sobantu Secondary School isicathamiya
performers, the Impisi Emnyama Zulu Dancers and the Chistlehurst Academics and
Arts Dance group, who promise a finale with great French flair.
A
memorial mass will be celebrated on June 3 at 09h30 at the Allard House Chapel,
KZN’s first Roman Catholic Church (built in 1852) performed in association with
the memorial mass in the Imperial Chapel in Biarritz, France. Well-known choral
leader Michael Lambert, will direct the Scola Musicae Sanctae choir.
Following
this mass, the dignitaries will depart for Dundee along the Prince Imperial
Route pausing for tea with the French Augustinian Sisters in Pomeroy,
culminating in a French soirée at Elisabeth Durham’s Chez Nous B ‘n B in
Dundee. At the soirée the convener and project leader of La Route du Prince
Impérial, Louis Napoléon, Glenn Flanagan, will present a visual résumé of
highlights of the past 21 years of Route development.
The next
day the delegation will visit the Jojosini Primary School in the community
where the monument is situated, to inspect the sponsorship of rain tanks and
library donated by Panteix /Antalis and local donors.
The
ceremony to commemorate the 138th anniversary of the death of the Prince begins
at 10h15.
The
Ambassador of France will lay a wreath on the Prince Imperial memorial; inkosi
Mdlalose and Induna Mbatha will lay wreathes on the tombs of Trooper Abel and
Trooper Rogers and Gugu Buthelezi (voluntary site guide) will lay a wreath for
the nameless Zulu guide killed in the same ambush on June 1 1879.
After
the ceremonies, sporting events organized by Nathi Sibisi of the uQweqwe
community will take place.
“We have
an exciting line-up of Franco-Zulu related activities in Pietermaritzburg, in
Dundee and the uQweqwe community during May and the first weekend in June,’
says Glenn Flanagan. “We welcome Francophiles and everyone who enjoys a slice
of history, as well as those who are keen to experience the value of creating
and developing fascinating historical and cultural links between different
cultures and how this can benefit our communities – both rural and urban.”
The 21st
Anniversary celebrations of La Route du Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon is
supported by the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française, TKZN, SA TOURISM,
local municipalities, local tourism authorities and the Napoleon Foundation,
Paris.
For the
full programme go to the Facebook Page: French Presence in KZN: La Route du
Prince Impérial, Louis Napoléon.
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