What began in 1985, with elephants marching down the Trocadero Alley in Paris across the Eiffel Tower as a part of a cultural exchange between India and France and in 1989 with French artists visiting Mumbai and fireworks lighting up Marine Drive, culminated in Bonjour India in 2009. Travelling to 18 cities, the three month long festival included dance, music, literature, sciences, new circus, design, exhibitions, opera, architecture, economic meets and more
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institut Francais and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations along with the Alliance Francaises network in India are organising the second edition of the Bonjour India this year.
Encompassing exhibitions, visuals and digital arts, performing arts, food festival and film festivals, literary and educational events, seminars and round tables, the festival will be held through January-February-March in different cities including Jaipur, Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Goa and Pune.
“With India set to open a full fledged cultural centre in France, such interactions will gather momentum with time bringing people to discover the offerings of a culture entailing deeper understanding of each others country through cultural dialogues,” said Suresh Goel, Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
Apart from celebrating the birth centenary of Albert Camus through a series of events, contemporary French films will be showcased in seven cities, composer Pierre Thilloy and the symphonic orchestra of Avignon will give an original rendition with sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and Nandita Das will be cast by Eric Vigner in the play ‘Gates to India Song’, written by Marguerite Duras.
