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The 7th edition of the cultural festival — La Fête — will be held in Bangkok from June 3 until 6 September 2010.

La Fête is a cultural festival organized by the Embassy of France in Thailand and the Alliance française of Bangkok, in cooperation with the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Culturesfrance, the Thai Ministry of Culture, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and with the support of many partners and sponsors. Created in 2004, as a part of the “French Spring in Asia”, this festival offers something for everyone, given its high quality multidisciplinary programme, representative of the heritage and the artistic vitality of both Thailand and France.

Attracting more than 400,000 visitors last year, the festival has become one of the major cultural events of the Kingdom. Organized by the French Embassy in Thailand and the Alliance Française de Bangkok, La Fête attracts a very large and mainly Thai audience through the variety of its programme and a wide range of ticket prices.

For the first time, the festival will kick-off with a major open-air exhibition “Portraits of Asia”. This is an opportunity for organizers to offer an opening open to all, and thus thank the thousands of visitors who so enjoyed the two previous ones, “Earth from Above” and “Planet Ocean”. This year’s exhibition by French photographer Eric Lafforgue will pay tribute to men and women of Asia. These “Portraits of Asia” should attract more than 300 000 visitors between June 3 and September 6, and all are invited to discover them at the opening on June 3rd at 7 p.m. in front of ZEN Department Store, in the presence of the artist.

Many other free events are scheduled: the “Fête de la Musique” on June 19 at Siam Square with a concert by ModernDog (Thailand) and Java (France), the Hip-Hop Battle at Patravadi Theatre, juggling, puppets and street theatre shows in several different neighbourhoods of Bangkok, along with the many free exhibitions: photographs of Paris on the outside walls of the Alliance Française (South Sathorn/Sathorn Tai), fashion photographs at ZEN Department Store, more fashion photographs and iconic design artifacts at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Center (7th floor).

The rest of the programme is not free, but with the “early bird” system, the 100 THB student tickets and the range of ticket prices available, everyone should be able to find something to enjoy, for instance, don’t miss Julien Cotterau, this former Cirque du Soleil artist is an amazing clown. He will keep you all in stitches, and a daytime show has even been scheduled for those who want to take the whole family.

DJ Wax Taylor will make you dance at Bed Supperclub with his electro-cinematographic ambiance before the French Film Festival takes you to view the festival’s selection of the 10 best current French films. “Gainsbourg” which opens the series, is in itself a course in French culture, with Fréhel, Boris Vian, Juliette Greco… and Laetitia Casta playing Brigitte Bardot. At the Patravadi Theater, Thai, Lao and French traditional culture will be blended new-circus style (Pai Sai show) or in a Hip Hop version (”Fang Lao”).

For something different, you will be astonished at the way “Appris par Corps” (new-circus inspired dance) or “Mauvaise Graine” (modern puppetry) deal with human relationships.

For those who love classical music will have the very great pleasure of hearing Marie-Ange Todorovich (mezzo-soprano) interprets the most celebrated arias of the French music repertoire. Conducted by celebrated Maestro Roberto Benzi, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra will offer a climactic end to the festival.

	AROUND THE FESTIVAL
	SYMPHONIC CONCERT The Bangkok Symphony Orchestra invites Roberto Benzi (Conductor) and Marie-Ange Todorovitch (Mezzo-Soprano) June 28, 2010/20.00 hrs (8 pm) At the Thailand Cultural Center, Grand Auditorium (MRT Thailand Cultural Center)
	PORTRAITS OF ASIA An open-air photographic exhibition by French photographer Eric Lafforgue June 3 - September 6, 2010 Daily from 10 am to 10 pm. Free Admission. Venue: ZEN Department Store (outdoor arena) - BTS Siam or Chidlom
	MIME CLOWN SHOW Julien Cottereau (ex. Cirque du Soleil): “Imagine toi” June 4 - 5, 2010 / 8 pm (an additional show at 2 pm on Saturday) At Aksra Theatre King Power - BTS Victory Monument
	MODERN CIRCUS GIROUETTE POUR JARDIN (Garden weathervane) By Chant de Balles June 8, 2010 at 17.00 hrs (5 pm) near Express Boat pier 10 June 9, 2010 at 17.00 hrs (5pm) at Santichaiprakarn Park, Boat/Express Boat pier 13
	WAX TAILOR — DJ LIVE PERFORMANCE June 9, 2010 / 10.00 pm Venue: Bed Supperclub
	MODERN CIRCUS PAI SAI by Chant de Balles June 10 - 12, 2010 / 8.00 pm (No performance on 11 June) Venue: Patravadi Theatre - Boat / Express Boat pier 10
	THE PARISIAN PEDESTRIAN An Open-air Photographic Exhibition: Photography and Heritage 14 June to 15 July 2010 At Alliance française de Bangkok, South Sathorn/Sathorn Thai (BTS Saladaeng or MRT Lumpini), Daily from 08.00 hrs (8 am) to 18.00 hrs (6 pm) Admission is free.
	MODERN DANCE & CIRCUS APPRIS PAR CORPS by Un loup pour l’homme June 15 – 16, 2010 At the Centerpoint Playhouse, Central World – 7th floor (BTS Siam or Chidlom)
	FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL June 18 – 27, 2010 At SF World Cinema, CentralWorld (BTS Siam or Chidlom)
	FASHION STORY (IES) FASHION PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION June 18 – August 15, 2010 At ZEN Department Store (Level 3, walkway to BTS Siam or Chidlom) Every day from 10.00 (10 am) - 22.00 hrs (10 pm) Admission is free.
	FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE (Music Day) 19 June 2010, from 14.00 (2 pm) to midnight At Siam Square (Express parking) in front of Hard Rock Café (BTS Siam) Admission is free.
	MODERN PUPPETRY TUK TUK 26 by Compagnie à  June 19 - 22, 2010
	HIP HOP DANCE BATTLE LA FÊTE June 20, 2010, from 14.00 hrs (2 pm) onwards At Patravadi Theatre — Boat / Express Boat pier 10
	HIP-HOP DANCE FANG LAO by Compagnie A’ corps June 22 - 23, 2010 / at 8:00 pm Venue: Patravadi Theatre - Boat / Express Boat pier 10
	MODERN PUPPETRY MAUVAISE GRAINE by Compagnie à  June 25 - 26, 2010 / at 20.00 hrs (8.00 pm) At Alliance Française de Bangkok (MRT Lumpini or BTS Saladaeng)
	ICONS OF FRENCH DESIGN The Heritage of Design June 25 - August 15, 2010 Every day from 10.00 hrs (10 am) to 21.00 hrs (9 pm) except for Mondays At the Bangkok Art & Cultural Center, 7th Floor (BTS National Stadium) Admission is free.
	MOONLIGHT FASHION PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION By Jean-françois Lepage June 25 to August 15, 2010 Every day from 10.00 hrs (10 am) to 21.00 hrs (9 pm), except for Mondays At Bangkok Art & Cultural Center, 7th Floor, (BTS National Stadium) Admission is free.
	THE FLOURESCENT PEOPLE PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION By Marc Lathuilliere June 25 to July 25 2010 At Whitespace gallery (Lido Building 2nd Floor @ Siam Square Soi 3 (BTS Siam) Every day from 1 pm to 7 pm (except Monday) or by appointment. Admission is free.

Web site: www.lafete-bangkok.com