Heritage and sustainability at French Spring Festival 2016

French Embassy Cultural Counsellor Michel Treutenaere, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs Additional Secretariat Bernard Wasantha, Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jean-Marie Schuh, Galle Face Hotel General Manager Antony Paton and French Embassy Press Attaché Dilusha Illeperuma  – Pic courtesy of the French Spring Festival 2016

By Shiran Illanperuma

The French Spring Festival is set to return for its 5th iteration this year. Showcasing a series of multidisciplinary events celebrating the arts from both France and Sri Lanka, the festival is set to kick-off on the 3rd of June and will continue until Bastille Day (French National Day) on the 14th of July.

This year’s festival will focus on the theme of heritage and sustainability. Said Ambassador of France to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Jean-Marin Schuh, “The embassy will host a seminar on preserving national heritage on the 7th of June. We hope to emphasise through our cultural activities and our conference that preserving and promoting heritage is as much a question of valuing a common national heritage that can be passed on to the next generation, as it is an opportunity for economic growth and the emergence of an attractive, vibrant and innovative society.”

Partnering with the festival this year is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs. Speaking on behalf of Minister S.B. Navinna, Additional Secretariat Bernard Wasantha said that the Ministry would be providing financial support for the festival. “These cultural events highlight the diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and France,” said Wasantha.

Last year the French Spring Festival in Sri Lanka attracted over 10,000 spectators according to Ambassador Schuh. This year the festival has expanded its scope outside of Colombo to the north and south of the island. Festivities will take place in Colombo, Galle, Matara, Kandy, Jaffna as well as Male in the Maldives. 

“This year again we will present a rich program with a variety of events in the field of music, dance, cinema, photography, literature, fashion and visual,” said Ambassador Schuh.