Free Francofête to feed the soul in many ways
From 10.30am onwards, there will be daytime family activities in Sutton Park
ALLIANCE Française of Durban and eThekwini Municipality present a fabulous and free sixth annual Francofête on Human Rights Day, Tuesday, 21 March, which takes place under the trees in Sutton Park in Morningside.
The event takes place in two parts – a day time family event from 10.30am to 4pm and an evening sun-downer music concert featuring an array of Francophone world music from 4.30pm to 8pm.
The ever-proactive Alliance Française uses this annual opportunity to showcase some of the best French; Francophone and French-inspired music; dance; theatre; story-telling; workshops; visual arts; and of course wonderful food and crafts in the alfresco market.
The day culminates in a free music concert with a four band line-up starting from 4pm while the sun sets. The evening concert features iconic Malian band, BKO Quintet. Also on the bill is SA Roy and Forest Jam, a seven-piece, innovative Swiss-Malagasy music collaboration. From Durban comes The Meditators, performing their own brand of fusion reggae. The full line-up has come together to showcase collaborative musical talents and to bring people together through their music.
To ensure festival-goers don’t go hungry, Fusion French Café will co-ordinate the KZN leg of the third Goût de France / Good France which will celebrate French gastronomy in various locations worldwide on 21 March. Over 1,500 chefs on all five continents are expected to join the event. This concept will be brought to the Francofête Human Rights Day Festival again this year.
In addition will be the Swiss food village which offers authentic French-Swiss fare, a taste of homemade bakeries, French delicacies and local cuisine.
From 10.30am onwards, there will be daytime family activities in Sutton Park, with a full programme on the Assitej youth stage – face painting, gumboot dance, kiddies drawing corner, story-telling, dance and music. On the park lawns, there will be a series of activities such as dance programmes featuring various groups and interactive workshops facilitated by MC, Iain Ewok Robinson.
“The Francofête celebrates diversity and tolerance on Human Rights Day and Francophone week, bringing together all walks of life in Durban, transcending through all cultures, generations and communities. We look forward to a festive day of social cohesion in English, isiZulu, French, Swahili, Créole, sign language, and more,” said Alliance Francaise de Durban director, Vincent Frontczak .
“If a day out with the family is on the cards join us for the family programme from 11am to 4pm. Bring a blanket, pack your picnic baskets and settle in for a day of fun. If listening to great music and getting into a sun-downer party mood is your preference then join us from 4pm to 8.30pm for the sundowner concert programme. In both cases, the craft stalls and food stalls will be available,” enthused FrancoFête Human Rights Day committee member, Themi Venturas.
There will be a day-long market which offers clothing, handicraft, decor items and gift ideas; taste some authentic cuisine and take time to become acquainted with some worthwhile NGOs who will have info stands at the market, all while relaxing in one of Durban’s beautiful suburban parks.
Alliance Française thanked eThekwini Municipality, the French Institute of South Africa, Foundation Alliance Française, Embassy of France in SA, Stratostaff, Assitej SA, the Embassy of Switzerland in SA, the Swiss Art Council Prohelvetia, Forest Jam, and the Reunion Island province.
Entry is free and all are welcome. Visit Alliance Française at 22 Sutton Crescent, Morningside, call 031-312 9582.
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