Learn French By Spring!

Some interesting facts to consider
French as a foreign language is the second most spoken in Africa after English and is also a widely growing influence in South Africa within trade, politics and social circles. As our African and international links increase, so the need for French speaking people in various fields (commerce, medicine, engineering, education, tourism, etc) increases; further developing and creating jobs, tolerance and acceptance across borders. With 31 African Francophone countries, Africa is the continent with the most French speakers in the world. French, as a foreign language, is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English. French is the only language other than English spoken on five continents.
French and English are the only two global languages, recognized by the United Nations. When deciding on a foreign language for work or school, consider that French is the language that will give you the most choices later on in your studies or your career.

LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR FRENCH CLASSES!

SPEAK FRENCH BY SPRING - WITH ALLIANCE FRANCAISE

With 31 African Francophone countries, Africa is the continent with the most French speakers in the world. For business, educational or personal development, learning French can open a world of opportunities.
French lessons are available for adults and children aged from 8 to 13 years old, and for adults from age 14 on. Lessons take place at Alliance Francaise in Parkview in state-of-the-art Smart Board equipped classrooms. The heated classrooms and the newly renovated Alliance Café provide a warm, informal and welcoming setting in which to learn. Take an advantage of AF’s early bird special on French instruction.
If you register before May 11th you will receive a 10% discount (for new students) and 5% discount (for existing students) from your tuition fee.

Registration Deadline: 11th May

Classes commence May 14th

Intensive Classes, four days a week for 2h15 per day – R2900.00 per Module
Extensive Classes, twice a week for 2 hours per day – R2700.00 per Module
Extensive Classes, Saturday for 4 hours per day – R2900.00 per Module

Interested? Then get in touch with Alliance Francaise on the details below!

17 Lower Park Drive
Corner Kerry Road
Parkview

EVENT: Opera in Soweto

Le  Devin du Village, Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778

To commemorate the 300th anniversary of Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s birth, the Durban-based Baroque 2000 ensemble will perform a concert version of “Le Devin du Village”, Intermezzo in one act composed by Rousseau in 1752. The philosoph and essayist, born in Geneva, was also a musician, and gained success with his “Devin”. It was intended as a demonstration of the superiority of the “Italian” style of opera over the French music of the time. It was performed for Louis XV at Fontainebleau and the King liked it.

The plot is a simple one: far away in the countryside, Colette and Colin, the shepherd, are in love, unbeknown to each other. Colin is afraid to be rejected in favor of a gentleman from the city. They each ask the village’s sorcerer, the “Devin” independently for help. The “Devin” soon arranges the situation so that the two lovers find to each other.

A peculiarity of the “Devin” is that Rousseau wrote the music as well as the libretto, something rather exceptional with operas. In this concert version, extensive parts of the original “Devin” are performed, excluding nevertheless some pieces and choirs.

The three characters are sung by:

Colette: Lauren Dasappa, Soprano

Colin: Warren Vernon-Driscoll, Tenor

Le Devin: Azola Mabutho, Baritone/Bass

under  the musical direction of Ralitza Cherneva.

In Switzerland and abroad, many activities are being set up to commemorate the 300^th anniversary of Rousseau’s birth –and to mark the actuality of his works. The March 2012 Tour of “Le Devin du Village”, in connection with the “Fêtes de la Francophonie”, with concerts in Durban/Marianhill on 25 March, Pretoria on 28 March and Soweto on 30 March, is all part of them.

The Tour takes place thanks to the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa.

Soweto, Diepkloof Hall, 30 March, 18:00 (entrance free), tickets from Alliance française de Soweto, tel. 011 042 65 53, Soweto@alliance.org.za,

Contact: 084 4390 664 (Bheki)

E-mail bhekiradebe@yahoo.com

NEWS: GUINEAN AFROSTAR SIA TOLNO AT THE FOREFRONT of Francophonie Day

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.

 

Download rules and register online on www.intofrench.org before 20 April 2012.

 

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

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!