VOILAH! 2016 CELEBRATES THE BEST OF FRENCH CULTURE, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN SINGAPORE OVER SEVEN WEEKS
Over 120 local and French partners have come on board Voilah! 2016. 

SINGAPORE, 31 March 2016 – Discover your inner French with Voilah! 2016 as it returns to showcase the very best of French creativity and innovation this April with over 40 bespoke programmes, ranging from visual and performing arts, gastronomy experiences, cinema retrospective and science. HE Mr Benjamin Dubertret, Ambassador of France to Singapore, said, “The multi-faceted and organic relationship between Singapore and France for over 50 years has facilitated collaborations and exchanges which allowed us to develop an appreciation towards the different aspects of our communities. Singapore is also an important gateway to showcase French culture and innovation to the rest of Asia. In this spirit, Voilah!, in bringing the best of French culture to Singapore, will provide the platform for French and Singaporean communities to meet, exchange ideas and contribute to the cultural vibrancy in both countries.

A diverse and immersive festival experience with something for everyone

Organised by the Institut Français Singapour and the French Embassy in Singapore, in collaboration with the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and the Alliance française, Voilah! also partners the community to provide a diverse and immersive festival experience with something for everyone. The annual festival will open with the enchanting Luminéoles Ballet where giant dream-like changing colour LED light birds dance in a spectacular aerial ballet around Marina Bay with our city skyline as backdrop. Other highlights include the Asian premiere of Transboundary Rivers, an exhibition by French photographer Franck Vogel at Gardens by the Bay to increase awareness of global water issues; the Gourmet Picnic at the Singapore Botanic Gardens with French classical music; the Asian premiere of Gaumont: 120 Years of Cinema exhibition which offers the best of French cinema through posters and exclusive screenings of emblematic masterpieces from the French studio; Superstars of Ballet, a spectacular show of breath-taking classical ballet featuring 12 principal dancers from world renowned companies including the Paris Opera Ballet; Musical Meet-ups with the Baudoin Bros who will enliven the community through their music at public spaces; and the French Animation Film Festival at the Alliance française. More than 50 restaurants, bars, hotels and retailers will also be offering promotions and organising special events as part of Voilah! Food Festival.

There is also a focus on the Aquitaine Limousin Poitou-Charentes region in France through the showcase of some of their food products and talents including the world premiere of Le Clown des Marais that presents French arts practitioner Jean Lambert-wild and students from Lasalle College of The Arts. Post COP21, Voilah! 2016 will also continue its efforts in raising awareness of sustainable development through open air film screenings and conferences.

A multi-institutional effort The vibrant, multi-faceted festival also gathers the community to actively participate in the seven-week-long French savoir-faire. This year’s edition rallied more than 120 local and French partners, including Asian Civilisations Museum, Indochine, Centre Pompidou, Airbus, Musée du Louvre, Iggy’s and Musée National d’Histoire Naturelle. Festival director Bertrand Pous said: “The community is instrumental to the success of Voilah! The response to last year’s Voilah! had been very encouraging, and we are excited to present this year’s line-up together with our many local and French partners who have come on board to share and learn about the French culture. We hope to continue engaging the festival goers meaningfully and establishing Voilah! as a must-attend perennial festival for everyone in Singapore.” Voilah! 2016 will take place from 15 April to 31 May 2016 across Singapore. For more information on the festival, please visit www.voilah.sg, opening weekend and photo exhibitions.

About Voilah!

Voilah! is the signature French festival in Singapore. This annual festival presents the best of French creativity and innovation in culture, science, education and gastronomy through diverse and engaging events all across the island. A meeting point between the French and Singaporean communities, Voilah! is also a legacy and celebration of the strong relationships with Singaporean partners, institutions, and cultural and scientific centres. Held from 15 April to 31 May, Voilah! 2016 celebrates 51 years of diplomatic relations between France and Singapore, and is organised by Institut Français Singapour and the French Embassy, in collaboration with the French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore.

Source: Institut Français Singapour and the French Embassy

Editor’s note: This release coincides with April Fool’s Day, but it is no joke that the Voilah! Festival is seven weeks long in Singapore. If you are visiting Singapore and would like a catch some of the performances, you are more than welcome to join. Events will be updated on this site as the date draws closer to the showcase.

Featured image: A film production, 9 mois ferme.  24 May 2016, 8pm Alliance française Theatre, Singapore.