Local arts groups take French stages next year in three-month festival

SINGAPORE – For the first time, Singapore’s contemporary arts and cultural groups will take the stage in France in a large-scale showcase, Singapour en France - le festival (Singapore Festival in France).

Held in prestigious institutions in major French cities, the festival is a key outcome of the cultural MOU between the two countries since 2009, and will mark 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries next year.

Kickstarting the festival on March 26 is a six-hour performance The Singaporeans directed by Ong Keng Sen, who also directed the recent Singapore International Festival of Arts. The piece will involve 30 new citizens and explore what it means to be a “Singaporean”.

The three-month showcase, which will end on June 30 next year, is co-organised by National Heritage Board, the National Arts Council and Institut francias, French’s agency for international arts and cultural projects, and supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

A call for partnership has been launched to open the festival to a wider range of Singapore and French artists and will close on December 1.