Guinean singer and guest star Sia Tolno, will share her unquestionable energy, deep voice and pan-African musical vision on the Francophonie stage this year. Before rising to fame, Tolno’s life was full of obstacles and challenges, with civil war and exile among others. These experiences led her to produce remarkable albums. She has been compared to Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone and Tina Turner. The 2011 RFI Discoveries Award winner will perform afro-funk beats and songs in French, English and Kissi. Performances also include Congolese band Les Fantastique Guys and South African choreographer and dancer Fana Tshabalala.
Organisation Les Passeurs de Mots will take the audience on a literary journey with Walk on the Word Side in Zoo Lake, a public reading itinerary involving professionals and amateurs. The festivities will come to an end with the screening of the comic animation feature Titeuf’ for the young and adults alike. The French cultural network celebrates the French language and Francophone culture. In 2012, the celebrations will take place at the Alliance française of Johannesburg in Parkview. This year, the idea is to celebrate Francophonie Day in an outdoor location that will reach as many francophone communities as possible. The stage at Alliance française will welcome a medley of performances, a screening and a literary event. Moreover, the Embassy of France in South Africa is launching the 2012 edition of the Francophonie Competitions. There are 10 fabulous touristic and linguistic trips to France to win (Paris, La Rochelle, Perpignan) to practice your French in France! Whether you are in Grade 8, doing Masters’ or studying French in one of the Alliance française centre of South Africa and Lesotho, there is a contest for you.
PROGRAMME
| 31 March | Alliance Française of Johannesburg
12.30-14.30 Walk on the Word Side, Zoo Lake (Literature)
14.45-15.15 Welcoming ceremony with guest MC Nicky B
15.15-15.45 Band to be confirmed (Music)
16.00-16.30 Une Rupture by Fana Tshabalala (Dance)
16.30-17.30 Sia Tolno (Music)
17.45-18.30 Les Fantastiques Guys (Music)
19.00-21.00 Screening of the animation
feature Titeuf’ (Cinema)
LISTINGS
Francophonie 31 March from 12.30pm | Free entrance
12.30-14.30 Walk on the Word Side, Zoo Lake (Literature)
14.45-15.15 Welcoming ceremony with guest MC Nicky B
15.15-15.45 Band to be confirmed (Music)
16.00-16.30 Une Rupture by Fana Tshabalala (Dance)
16.30-17.30 Sia Tolno (Music)
17.45-18.30 Les Fantastiques Guys (Music)
19.00-21.00 Screening of the animation
feature Titeuf’ (Cinema)
LISTINGS
Francophonie 31 March from 12.30pm | Free entrance
Alliance Française of Johannesburg, Cnr Kerry Road and Lower Park Drive, Parkview
Event: Info damien.meyrignac@alliance.org.za | 011 646 1169 www.facebook.com | www.alliance.org.za | www.ifas.org.za/culture
With the support of the French Institute of South Africa, the Alliance française of Johannesburg, Dibuka, RFI, Mercure Hotels and the Embassy of Switzerland. CONTACT MEDIA | Gontse Mmutle | Public Relations Manager | gontse@redflag.co.za | 011 447 8283
***LITERATUREWALK ON THE WORD SIDE
The organisation Les Passeurs de Mots will take its audience on a literary journey through a unique and creative approach. Set in a public environment, the audience will also be the actor of this interesting experience. One, two or several people will read aloud a chosen text, poem or story therefore giving a new voice to literature.
MUSIC
SIA TOLNOAfter producing her first album entitled Eh Sanga, My Life in 2009, Guinean singer Sia Tolno is bringing out her second album this year under the label Lusafrica. After a violent childhood in Freetown in Sierra Leone, Sia was forced into exile when the civil war made life impossible. She learned the ropes in the harsh world of Conakry’s nightclubs. Today, Sia Tolno’s extraordinary life experience has-been translated into an equally remarkable album. Her vocal talents are also extraordinary and she has been compared to Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone and Tina Turner.
Extracts of Biography written by Francis Dordor LES FANTASTIQUES GUYSBorn into a musical family in Kinshasa (DRC), Nseka Bienvenu became a full time musician at the age of 18. He came to South Africa in 1995 and formed the band Les Fantastiques Guys with whom he has been performing Congolese flavoured music ever since. The band plays throughout Southern Africa.
DANCEFANA TSHABALALA
Up-and-coming South African choreographer and performer Fana Tshabalala, has established a strong relationship with France and in particular with French choreographer Michel Kelemenis. He is to perform his solo Une Rupture, which premiered at the New Dance Festival in September 2011, as part of a tour in the French cultural network in Southern Africa. In this work, Tshabalala reflects on the discrepancies between what we see and what reality is.
CINEMA
TITEUF’Nightmare! Nadia is celebrating her birthday and Titeuf has not been invited! Why is that? How could she have forgotten him when he takes care of his ultra-seductive attitude, each time he crosses her path? But an even greater upheaval will shake Titeuf's life and tip it into chaos. Once again, adults are really useless. They do everything they can to complicate life. Titeuf, the same as ever, will try to understand what is happening to him and will devise stratagem upon stratagem, with disastrous results, to fix up his life - while never losing sight of his objective: to be invited to Nadia's birthday party!
