Flagship annual event ‘French Weeks’ to begin in sultanate tomorrow
The Embassy of France in Oman has announced the 6th edition of its flagship annual event ‘French Weeks’ to be held from February 6 to March 5.
Just ahead of the official commencement of the celebration, a conference by French archeologist Vincent Charpentier, head of the French archeologic mission ‘Archaeology of the Arabian Seashores’ was held on Sunday at 6:30pm.
On the sidelines of the ‘Meet the French Archeologists in Oman’ conference, the visitors had a Virtual Reality experience on ‘Dawn of Art’ by Novelab.
Since its inception in 2018, French Weeks event has consistently pursued its ambition to spotlight French savoir-faire and culture, to strengthen FrenchOmani cooperation in multiple fields and to consolidate the deep and long-lasting friendship between our two countries, the embassy stated.
This year’s edition will revolve around the theme ‘Make it Iconic: Choose France’. Ranging from the fields of gastronomy, to arts, education, and business, a series of cultural events will showcase different facets of French talents that contribute to France’s renown.
‘This varied programme aims to satisfy everyone’s curiosity and tastes, with concerts, festive evenings, a conference, and other cultural events not to be missed,’ the embassy pointed out.
The month-long programme will open with a concert by the Muscat Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the French Embassy, on Tuesday at 6pm. There will be a repertoire that will intertwine classical French compositions with Arabic music.
This event is on invitation, the embassy, however, clarified.
On February 13 at 7pm, an electronic music and cinematic concert by the French-lebanese group ‘Love & Revenge’ will be held at the Crowne Plaza Muscat, in Qurm. Drawing on the large repertoire of Middle-eastern pop and Egyptian film from the 1940s to 1990s, the ‘Love & Revenge’ creates a fertile hybrid between the joys of the past and modern aesthetics.
'A hypnotic musical performance not to be missed,’ the French embassy asserted, adding that the 1h-30m long programme will offer free entry with mandatory registration.
On February 22, the FrenchOmani Friendship Association (OFA) will organise Oman France Clean Energy Conference during the first half of the day. The venue for the event is yet to be decided, officials informed.
The first edition of the Oman France Clean Energy Forum aims at enhancing the bilateral cooperation between the two countries at companies and institutions’ level in the clean energy sector. Discussions will address technical challenges and solutions, as well as other important topics where bilateral cooperation is needed.
The embassy confirmed that the entry for this conference will be free entry for members and students, or upon registration with the OFA.
SOUFFLE ARIDE photography exhibition will be opened at Stal Gallery on February 25 at 7pm, in the presence of French photographer Laura Bonnefous, whose photo portraits and landscapes from Duqum embark us on a poetic and inspiring journey.
The exhibition will be open to the public until March 7 in the first phase, with a reopened phase from March 14 to 21.
As part of this, there will be an hour-long talk and presentation by Laura Bonnefous on her photo series in Oman, the following day. This too is open to public.
For its first participation at Muscat’s International Book Fair, the French Booth will offer a range of activities and encounters with French graphic novelists working in Oman from February 22 to March 2.
There will be a film screening Anatomy of a Fall on March 4 at 6pm. Ii will be done in partnership with the Muscat International Film Festival’s 11th edition and will be free entry, on invitation and mandatory registration.
On March 5, Closing evening of the French Weeks will be held with a musical and gastronomical night to get a taste of France. Entitled ‘ Good France’, this evening of festivities intends to bring light to French gastronomy, in partnership with the chefs from the best hotels and restaurant in Muscat. Entry on invitation.