This post was written by Christine Bonhomme
LE FRENCH FESTIVAL IN JERSEY
To celebrate the historical, cultural links and stronger relationship between France and Jersey, LE FRENCH FESTIVAL will take place in Jersey from July 7th to 16th 2017.
The event
In June 1986, the first Jersey-France Festival was launched! It ran for 3 years and brought various entertainment, concerts, plays and exhibitions to the Island. In 2017, a team consisting of various Jersey & French organisations decided to reboot the event and to create a new Jersey-France Festival!
Organisers and coordinators
The team behind the revival of the Festival is made up of Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche, the Alliance Française de Jersey, the Consular Agency of France in Jersey, the Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture Department of the Government of Jersey.
Our main sponsors are: the St Helier-Avranches Twinning, Jersey Electricity, Bruno’s Bakery, the County Council of La Manche and the Region of Normandy.
We also received donations from: the Jersey Normandie Twinning Association, the Grouville-Port-Bail Twinning, the St Lawrence-Barneville-Carteret Twinning.
We also would like to thank the Parish of St Helier, St Martin-Montmartin Twinning, Jersey Library, Jersey Art Centre, Jersey Development Company, Jason Maindonald, Jersey Buisness, CCI International de Granville, The Bailiff’s Chamber, St Helier Yacht Club, Granville Yacht Club, Jean Renaud, Gérard Pouchain, l’Office du Jèrriais, Geraint Jennings BBC Radio Jersey, Jersey Evening Post, Ecole FLAM, Manche îles Express, Carré International de l’Université de Caen,The Fonds Communal d’Art Contemporain de la Ville de Rennes, Opéra de Rennes & Rennes Métropole.
The programme
Choosing a meaningful date for the French community (the week of the 14th of July), the team decided to plan several events, from Friday 7th to Sunday 16th July 2017 in order to celebrate
The extensive programme will comprise not only cultural but also sport and business events: for instance, Maison de Normandie is organising business meetings between Norman and Jersey-based companies in order to set up long-term sustainable commercial relationships. The general public will be able to enjoy a wide range of outdoor free entertainment, such as participating in pétanque, watching the stopover of the Tour des ports de la Manche sailing race, following guided tours of St Helier’s French history & Victor Hugo’s exile in Jersey, and watching and listening to a street concert and an outdoor screening of a French film… not to forget a week-long Norman market at the Weighbridge giving Jersey residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy different products and French delicacies!
Obviously, the highlight of the event will be the 14th of July celebration of Bastille Day, the French National Day. The special relationship between Jersey and France will be particularly highlighted with the unveiling of the new street signs in Hilgrove Street known as French lane (and the first to be in 3 languages: English, French & Jèrriais). French flags and lighting of monuments in blue, white and red are expected in town!
All these events will take place in various venues in St Helier (Jersey Art Centre, Maison de Normandie, the Weighbridge, Alliance Française, Library, Old Magistrate’s Court and the Town Hall..).
website: http://lefrenchfestivaljersey.com/
facebook: @lefrenchfestivaljersey
Have a look & download at the programme (pdf) of Le French Festival
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