«Let’s rebuild Europe’s foundations through culture», this is the ambition expressed by French president Emmanuel Macron at the opening of the Romania-France Season, while the Romanian president, Klaus Werner Iohannis, declared: “This season will demonstrate that our nations have every reason to invest in culture and creativity and to propose new debating platforms for culture on which to build their European future.”
On November 27, 2018, the Romania-France Season was inaugurated at the Centre Georges Pompidou for Arts and Culture in Paris, an ample project meant to be a reminder of the tight relationship between the two countries and dedicated to the proposal of new platforms for cultural dialogue.
400 events were scheduled to take place in both countries. From visual arts to digital works, gastronomy, theatre and dance, to debates, heritage, economy or tourism.
Speaking about culture, Sibiu has always been on the list of cities that promote education through culture. A special section with more than 70 events dedicated to the Romania-France Season will be presented at the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS) 2019. Between 14-23 June, the productions of several major French theatres and companies will be performed in Sibiu. Théâtre de la Ville-Paris, Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Théâtre de Suresnes, Théâtre du Rond-Point or Cie Aérosculpture, one of the most sought-after companies by festival programmers all around the world, will be included in the FITS programme. Moreover, French director Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota will receive a star on the Walk of Fame. Once again, the famous company Plasticiens Volants will take over the streets of Sibiu. Several special conferences will also take place: “Matei Vișniec in dialogue with Jean-Michel Ribes”, “George Banu in dialogue with Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota” or “Romania – France Season at FITS” moderated by Octavian Saiu and special guests E.S. Michèle Ramis, Hèléne Roos, Jean-Jacques Garnier and Andrei Țărnea”.
Another major project included in the Romania-France Season is Micro-Folie Sibiu – Cultural Hotspot BRD Groupe Société Générale, a complex space destined to the familiarization with the most important works of art hosted by cultural institutions in France, but also conceived as a space of learning through play.
Created by the French Ministry of Culture and coordinated by La Villette, the project was implemented for the first time in Romania last year at FITS. Beginning with this year, Micro-Folie – Cultural Hotspot BRD Groupe Société Générale is going to become a permanent space for cultural interaction destined for audiences of all ages, hosted by Casa Artelor, with the support of ASTRA Museum.
During the Romania – France Season at FITS, there will also be book launches, play readings, film screenings and dance performances. All these, coupled with another hundred events that have taken place or are going to take place in other cities in Romania, will emphasize the current cultural dynamic between Romania and France and will generate new cultural collaborations.
The Romania – France Season will be concluded in Romania on July 14th, 2019.
Ilustration: Valentina Bădeanu
