Discover France in shades of grey at ‘Nostalgie02’

The Minister of International Monetary Cooperation Dr. Sarath Amunugama will inaugurate ‘Nostalgie02,’ an exhibition of black and white photographs celebrating France by Kumar de Silva on Friday, 29 June 2012 at the Harold Peries Gallery at the Lionel Wendt Arts Centre.

Minister of Water Supply and Drainage Dinesh Gunawardena will be the Guest of Honour.

Presented by the Alliance Francaise de Kotte and sponsored by Canon Metropolitan, this exhibition is a sequel to last year’s successful ‘Nostalgie’ which showcased France and her multi-dimensional splendour through the inquisitive and probing lens of the photographer. 

Kumar de Silva who describes himself as “an incurable francophone cum Francophile,” has had a long association with France for more than quarter of a century when he made his debut on the little screen with the legendary French television programme ‘Bonsoir’ on ITN in 1986.

“That journey which began 26 years ago has enriched my life, my love for France, her culture and the arts and has broadened my horizons. Yes of course, speaking the language has always enabled me to get a totally first-hand experience of all that France has to offer. It is perhaps my experience as a television producer which makes me look at the world around me in frames, both their natural composition and their sometimes discordant feel. It is this that inspires me to freeze sights and scenes on camera, which I thoroughly enjoy doing”.

Representative of the Fondation Alliance Francaise de Paris in Sri Lanka and Director of the Alliance Francaise de Kotte Bertrand Dufieux stated, “We are very happy to present this exhibition of photographs on France. Our long time friend Kumar de Silva has a definite penchant for France and always presents our country in the most amicable manner. We thank him, as a recognised communicator in Sri Lanka, for his generous vision and his sense of celebration.”

‘Nostalgie02’ will take visitors through random scenes of Paris and across different parts of France on Saturday, 30 June and Sunday, 1 July 2012 and will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days.

The Alliance Francaise de Kotte is affiliated to the Fondation Alliance Francaise in Paris and enjoys the full patronage of the Government of France and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka.