The first full length opera Samson & Delilah by famous French composer Camille Saint-Saens debuts in Le French May 2004
Brilliant French violinist Augustin Dumay will play with the Hong Kong Sinfonietta
Rave, a modern ballet, is a fusion of electro music, fashion and classical dance

Le French May, the annual festival of French arts and culture is gaining in popularity and is now one of Hong Kong's major festivals as well as being the largest French arts festival in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sarah Goettelmann, cultural attache of the Consulate-General of France, the organiser, said Le French May has evolved over the years and has now outgrown its original limited beginnings.

"In the past few years, it has attracted an increasingly diverse public. Now recognised as one of the city's major festivals, Le French May has contributed to the emergence of a vibrant and truly international artistic and cultural life reflecting Hong Kong's unique character as a place where the east meets west," said Ms Goettelmann.

Started in 1993, the 12th edition of the French festival (28 April to 4 June) will feature 24 presentations covering the visual arts, dance, music, design, food, nightlife and film. For the first time ever, Le French May will open with an opera Samson & Delilah by Saint-Saens. Le Ballet de Lorraine will be staging Rave which combines classical dance with techno music and high fashion while La Compagnie L'Eventail will do a more traditional rendition of Don Juan. World acclaimed violinist Augustin Dumay will perform and saxophonist Claude Delangle will be featured in a selection of music from Paris to Buenos Aires.

Hong Kong partners to reach a wider audience

Le French May has also developed partnerships with Hong Kong's major arts and cultural institutions such as the Arts Centre, the Museum of History, the Academy for Performing Arts and the City Contemporary Dance Company to "achieve high visibility in Hong Kong and reach an ever growing audience."

"Le French May is a large window opening French lifestyle, culture and traditions to Hong Kong. It is also a channel to develop artistic cooperation between local and French institutions. Besides, Le French May can only exist and get better thanks to a strong partnership with the local government," said Ms Goettelmann.

Le French May 2005 promises to be even bigger as it incorporates the huge "Year of France" in China festival. "There will be a diverse selection of large scale exhibitions and performing arts events," promises Ms Goettelmann. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will be one of the major partners for this massive festival.

Related link
Le French May