FRENCH WEEK

The French Week 2011 will be held from February 23 to March 1 under the theme of ‘Bahrain Je t’aime’ which means ‘I love Bahrain’ and will feature a series of activities focussed on culture, entertainment, fashion, sports, retail and food.

The event is being organised by the Bahraini French Business Club (CAFB) and the French Embassy of Bahrain.

Highlights

Friday, Feb 25

A French band, Les Grooms, will perform live throughout various leading malls in Bahrain. The Grooms promise a joyous mélange of music and comedy. The act’s varied repertoire ranges from folk to jazz, from ethnic to the classics, from medieval airs to film themes, with a smattering of original compositions thrown in. Sometimes, they even sing ... This multi-talented team can improvise a tune for a single passer-by or suddenly become a living red-carpet, are capable of inflicting an individual musical torture session, or of attacking a shop or a group of pedestrians and might well finish off with a tender serenade to a lucky bystander.

A French folkloric dance group, Arverne, will perform live throughout various malls in Bahrain.

Saturday, Feb 26

A five-course gala dinner featuring French cuisine. The dinner will be accompanied by mime from Mime Boutros, folkloric dancing from Bourree Arverne and magical entertainment from Rosemont the magician.

Venue: Gulf Hotel Gulf Int’l Conference Centre

Cooking & Wedding conference

Come and learn the French expertise from the master in high-end wedding planning and cuisine.

Venue: Capital Club

Wednesday, Feb 23 to Tuesday, Mar 1

A French Movie festival will take place for adults and children where five famous French movies will be screened.

Thursday, Feb 24, 8pm – 36 quai des Orfèvres – the opening of the movie festival with the French Ambassador and famous actress Aurore Auteuil, BD3.500.

Friday, Feb 25, 8pm – Vipère au Poing, BD1.500.

Saturday, Feb 26, 8pm – La Môme, BD3.500.

Sunday, Feb 27, 8pm – Les soeurs fâchées, BD1.500.

Monday, Feb 28, 8pm – Les mauvais joueurs, BD1.500.

Venue: Seef Mall Cinema 2

Wednesday, Feb 23

Local French and Bahraini paintings will be exhibited and there will also be a painting workshop for children.

Venue: Al Sahar Art Gallery

Thursday, Feb 24 to Monday, Feb 28

Photography exhibition featuring displays by Corinne Faure, Francine Burlet and Didier Audbert.

Venue: Jamsheer house (Muharraq)

Tapestry exhibition (France)

Atelier Pinton; famous French traditional innovation in modern hand-made tapestries, some with Arabic influence.

Venue: Beit Al Quran

Famous Parisian art gallery, Corianne Gallery, will feature works from prestigious

artists.

Venue: Art Centre next to Bahrain National Museum

A showcase of luxurious books on Jordan, Bahrain and Horses by Edition

Menges and L’ange Bleu

Venue: TBA

Thursday, Feb 24

In a game of verbal and melodious ping-pong, this unlikely and picturesque duet revisit the Boris Vian’s diverse universes from light or dark poetry to wildest humour. Then, they give themselves over to the pleasures of the virtuosity of plays on words by Boby Lapointe: his songs but also less known surrealistic texts which are marvels to be discovered. And the show ends in a surprising and clashing rap!

Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bahrein (Isa Town)

Time: 8.30pm

Saturday, Feb 26

Movie Premiere & conference with the famous French actress Aurore Auteuil

Venue: Seef Mall

Sunday, Feb 27

Rosemont’s amazing tricks and magical entertainment. The succession of comedies is a game between Benoît Rosemont and the public. The participation of the spectators is required. The goal is to play with emotions: laugh, tenderness, fear, surprise! A great time to share … in French!

Venue: Alliance Francaise de Bahrein (Isa Town)

Thursday, Feb 23 to Tuesday, Mar 1

Football tournament featuring 12  teams competing throughout the week.

Venue: Malaed Football facility, Karranah

Friday, Feb 24 to Sunday, Feb 27

Petanque tournament - Bowls from South France

Thursday: 5pm-9pm

Friday: 11am-2.30pm

Saturday: 4pm-6pm – Semi-finals and final

By team – Triplette (threesome) – 2 boules / doublette (2 buddies team) – 3 boules

Venue: Golden Tulip

Friday, Feb 25

Bahrain Road Runners – 10km run around the wildlife park

Venue: Al Areen Wildlife Park

Saturday, Feb 26

Mini Tour de France – 30km bike ride

Venue: from the Sailing Club (Sakhir) to Amwaj Island

Saturday, Feb 26

Golf Tournament ‘9 holes and 9 ways to discover a French region’ – 3pm to 6.30pm on the Wee Monty Course, organised by the French Speaking Association in Bahrain (AFBH) and the Royal Golf Club. The prize-giving ceremony will be held at 6pm. For registration, email info@afbh.net

Venue: Royal Golf Club

Monday, Feb 28

B-TO-B workshop (11am)

Mission CCFA /CGPME organised by the French Embassy, the CAFB and The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce: 15 to 20 small and medium French enterprises will take part in a B-to-B workshop with Bahraini companies.

Venue: Bahrain Chamber of Commerce

Tuesday, Mar 1

French opera (France). For those with an appreciation of Southern French cooking with a touch of Italian and a love of opera music, Bel Canto brings you the unusal dining concept of enjoying your meal while listening to the music of such classical composers as Verdi, Rossini, Mozart, and Puccini, perfomed by the talented young opera singers from the conservatory of the Paris Opera as well as a contemporary ballet ‘3 au cube’ by Xpress. Marinated salmon with fresh dill, strips of duck with foie gras all served to you by the same performers who will delight you with operatic interludes every 15 minutes, accompanied by a pianist who plays througout the course of your meal.

Venue: Sofitel Banqueting Room