Every year, the French Embassy supports a series of events up and down China to celebrate the wonders of French culture. Now celebrating its 14th edition, Festival Croisements is bigger and more diverse than ever, featuring everything from grand operas to film retrospectives and even an exhibition profiling photography legend Marc Riboud. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the most interesting events taking place over the next two months around the Pearl River Delta.
1. Marc Riboud’s China Exhibition
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
Marc Riboud’s portraits offer viewers insight into the changes that have taken place in China over the past half century. One of France’s greatest photographers, Riboud first ventured to China in 1957 and continued to visit regularly until his last trip to Shanghai in 2010. Mesmerized by the country’s age-old civilization and vast and diverse landscapes, he has explored how Chinese people have lived since the founding of the PRC. This series of 36 photographs traces the history of China over more than 50 years and is a testament to Riboud’s fondness for the country, and for Asia as a whole.
Tue-Sun Apr 26-May 25, 10am-5pm. Luohu Art Museum. See event listing.
2. The Diotima Quartet
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
Entirely comprised of Paris National Conservatory prize winners, The Diotima Quartet was formed in 1996 and is known for reenergizing classic works by such notable composers as Beethoven and Schubert, the Viennese trio of Schoenberg, Berg and Webern, as well as Janáček, Debussy, Ravel and Bartók. The quartet is regularly invited to perform at prestigious concert venues and festivals around the world.
Sat-Sun May 25-26, 7.30pm; RMB180-380. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets.
3. Superjava
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
It was shiny and solar electro-pop that brought the four members of Superjava together. Soon after Archibald and Alexandre met in the hallways of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in 2015, after spending their childhoods respectively in Jakarta and Lima, the first funky and swinging riffs of the band were played. Yet, it was in Paris in 2016, with Arnaud’s retro keyboard melodies and Antonin’s hectic rhythm, that Superjava really started to take off. With the release of their first single ‘All in All’ online, the band became the talk of the town and started touring summer music festivals. Check out their performance at The Canton Place.
Sun Jun 16, 7pm; free. The Canton Place. See event listing.
4. Music Day 2019
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
From June 21 to 23, Shunfeng Mountain Park in Shunde will again play host to the Music Day festival, a three-day (we know, the name is a tad deceiving) celebration of French and Chinese music. Don’t miss this amazing chance to catch French quintet ‘Le Concert impromptu,’ who will be performing on June 21 at 8pm. Additionally, catch French hip hop artist Orē and trap artist Dlyn/Ynsm, along with Chinese hip hopper Vyan, on the evening of June 22. The following day, a selection of Chinese and French rock bands will hit the stage to wow audiences with a selection of punk and jazz rock.
Fri-Sun Jun 21-23, 7pm; free. Shunfengshan Park. See event listing.
5. Don Giovanni By Mozart
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
As one of Mozart’s most celebrated operas, Don Giovanni is known for balancing comedy and tragedy, and for its incredible energy, which contains a strong dose of darkness and ardent cynicism. Premiered at the Bordeaux Opera in 2002, this fantastic production is directed by Laurent Laffargue.
Sat-Sun Jul 6-7, 7.30pm; price TBD. Guangzhou Opera House. See event listing. Tickets.
6. Panorama of French Cinema
Image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou
The 16th edition of Panorama of French Cinema offers Chinese cinemagoers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen the opportunity to discover an eclectic range of French films. Varda by Agnès Varda, By the Grace of God by François Ozon and Sink or Swim by Gilles Lellouche will be screened for movie lovers over the month of July, with each film a fine example of the vitality of contemporary French cinema.
Shenzhen: Jul, various times and prices. Broadway Cinematheque.
Guangzhou: Jul, various times and prices. Cinema Palace Liede.
Check out our weekly roundups for Guangzhou, released every Monday, for the latest event news. Click here for more events happening during this year's Festival Croisements.
[Cover image via the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou]
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