Message from Dr. Jingjai Hanchanlash
Chairman of Alliance française de Bangkok
It is always a great pleasure to welcome the return of "La Fête", and as President of Alliance française, my pleasure is all the greater as the 2012 cultural festival celebrates our hundred years devoted to promoting French culture and language in the Kingdom.
"La Fête" embodies the meeting between our two cultures, as does Alliance française. And could this be better illustrated than in the opening event this season, a choir of 100 young Thais singing in French, under a French conductor and choir master with the Thai Bangkok Symphony Orchestra to launch the centennial "La Fête"?
But the most striking symbol of the strength and vibrancy of the ties between our two nations will also be the most visible, for the next hundred years and more: the new Alliance française Lumpini, which is to be built by France on land granted by the Crown Property Bureau at preferential terms.
On February 11th, an exceptional Gala in the garden of the French Residency will be held in the gracious presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The purpose of the evening is to raise funds to furnish and equip our new premises, and I hope all of you will come enjoy the dinner, show and fireworks before blowing the 100 candles on the birthday cake.
Come help us make the new Alliance everything you want it to be!
The weeks to follow shall be as exciting as ever: come laugh and gasp at the new circus, swing at the Music Day and hip-hop battle, and dream with the photography exhibitions. My sincere congratulations go to the cultural services of the French Embassy, who, along with Alliance française, are offering us such a fantastic program.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our sponsors who have again demonstrated how important "La Fête" has become for everyone, and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment.
And now, let the Centennial "la Fête" begin!
