www.fridayweekly.com.np Every Thursday | ISSUE 143 | RS. 20 SUBSCRIBER COPY 14 November 2012 | @( sflt{s @)^( ISSN 2091-1092 9 772091 109009 FRENCH SPECIAL ISSUE www.facebook.com/fridayweekly ENTERTAINMENT Enjoy different destinations in France at the perfect season, and grasp the short traveler’s vocabulary—gear 3 4 10 12 up for France! 16 PAGE3 FEATURE HALLOFFRAME GOURMET Four French nationals The French are known for We caught some vampires, Here is a peek into French currently residing in Nepal their chivalry and passion, zombies and other gastronomy with some share what Nepal and but they aren’t just limited notorious creatures in our delectable regional delights France have in common to that. Find out more frames from the night of from around France. and what they miss the about the French ways. Halloween. most about home. Saving Green with a Flair The Alliance Française of Kathmandu and the French Embassy are organizing the second edition of Planet Nepal to bring scientists, artists, and people in general together for an eventful festival to celebrate the environment. While bringing art and music together to speak volumes in an attempt to raise awareness for environment conserva- tion, it only makes sense for Planet Ne- pal Festival to gather people and attract their attention to the cause through public events. The beautiful Basantapur Durbar Square will be the venue for the performances that will gather people and artistes for lively performances while raising awareness for a cause that affects us all equally. For more, turn to page 2 2 Issue 143 | 14 November 2012 Fr!day cover Saving Green with a Flair Climate Change, Arts and Environment — Anne-Lise Heynen, Director, Alliance Française Katmandou Jean-Charles Demarquis, French Ambassador in Nepal ince artists can suggest their vi- in a mountainous country such as Nepal Questions of the environment and climatic change are today, more than ever, a priority of international diplomacy. More importantly though, it has become the concern of populations sion of the world and be a critical where the melting of glaciers has been across the globe. Nepal has manifested its role in the fight to preserve this planet by organizing vehicle for educating the public, and tangible through the years. This change an international conference of alpine countries on climatic change in April 2012. In doing this because these major issues are now will impact water resources and will be it demonstrated its engagement on the crucial question of the mountain ecosystem. In fact, it S must be remembered that today, 12 percent of the global population lives in the mountains and ubiquitous and are not solely the responsi- responsible for increased natural hazards. bility of scientists, it is extremely impor- The photographs are visual and valuable almost 50 percent of the world’s citizens depends on the mountains for water and other eco- tant that a festival such as Planet Nepal indicators for assessing climate change and system services. However, there is a real danger of losing the perennial source of water due to rising global temperatures and the consequent melting of glaciers. exists. global warming. The exhibition will be on The Planet Nepal Festival was first or- from 4 to 11 November at the Nepal Tour- It is with the same concern that the first Planet Nepal was created by France in November ganized in Kathmandu in October 2010. ism Board. 2010. This multi disciplinary festival included scientific meetings, art exhibitions, debates and The multidisciplinary festival of arts concerts with French and Nepali musicians of international renown. This audacious venture Performances and acts: proved a real success not only in the quality of its scientific exchanges, exhibitions and concerts and environment gave the opportunity to Karl Knapp’s artistic performance will give but also by the massive public participation. In consequence, the holding of this second edition French and Nepali artists to deliver their the impression of the human overcome from 9 to 12 November 2012 is more than justified. In addition to the exhibitions and concerts vision of the world and make the people the emphasis this year is on durable development and its perception by the younger generation with pollution trying to recapture nature. aware of environmental issues. – school children in particular. One of the ways Planet Nepal aims to reach out to them is by Knapp will create the performance by fab- Unfortunately, these are still relevant organizing inter-school competitions on their conception of cities of the future taking into ricating a costume in which a mound of today in Nepal, and time has now come account protection of the environment and durable development. It is effectively this young recycled plastic bottle wrappers and bags generation - the hope of the future - which should envision another way to develop a new to introduce the second edition of Planet will be attached to full body suit with hood. urban environment respectful of its resources and the fight against its destruction. Nepal which is thought on the same basis Similarly, Soazic Guezennec’s ‘While the as the first one. We insist on education and Moon is Shrinking’ is the confrontation of collaboration between scientists, students, and Italian scientists. The screening will be Going live: artists, French and Nepali, in order to ben- The greatest artists held on 9 November (Friday) at 2:00 pm. To highlight the festival outdoor events efit from the environment awareness in “Himalayan Meltdown”, produced by the are being organized which will be open Nepal. and scientists from UNDP and Arrowhead Films, is a 45-min- to the public. In the interest of cultural The second edition has been planned in Nepal will work with ute documentary which examines the hu- exchange, the stage will be shared by two phases: a five-month sensitization that man development impact of the glacial both a Nepali band and French artists. started on 5 June and a three-day festival French ones invited ice melt on communities in Bangladesh, Kutumba, the popular Nepali folk instru- from 9 to 11 November. For the festival, on this occasion. Bhutan, China, India and Nepal. It will be ment band will be performing live at 4:00 the Alliance Française of Kathmandu and screened on 10 November (Saturday) at pm on 9 November (Friday). NoJazz, a the progress of the city and the resilience the French Embassy offer a rich and varied 2:00 pm. Parisian electro-jazz five-piece dance of nature on the façade of the old Royal program including art performances, con- “Himalaya in the Middle of the Gla- band will be playing. Their concept of Palace in Basantapur. Both of these per- certs, documentary screenings, exhibitions, ciers” by Maurice Duchène will be screened music is to mix the original spirit of jazz formances will take place on 10 Novem- workshops and panel discussions. The on 10 November (Saturday) at 3:30 pm with hypnotic rhythms and contempo- ber (Saturday) at the Kathmandu Durbar greatest artists and scientists from Nepal which will be followed by a lecture from rary sounds. They will jazz you up at Square, at noon and 5:00 pm respectively. will work with French ones invited on this the director herself. “Water, Electricity & 7 6:00 pm on 11 November (Sunday). Ma- occasion. For cine enthusiasts: Billion Others” by the GoodPlanet Foun- demoiselle K and her band will be going Film screenings will take place at the Ne- dation will be screened on 11 November live at 5:00 pm on 11 November (Sun- An artistic message: pal Tourism Board on different dates. “A (Sunday) at 2:00 pm. “Climate Researcher” day). Mademoiselle K’s style is classic ‘Glaciers on Climate Proof ’, an exhibition Cloud on the Top of the World” by Agnès is another documentary to be screened at rock which she executes efficiently with of photographs of glaciers from all over Moreau will be followed by a lecture led the festival. Directed by Patrice Desenne, electric guitar, bass, drums and occasion- the world by Bernard Francou and Chris- by the director herself. It reveals that the the documentary will be followed by a lec- ally a little keyboard. All three perfor- tian Vincent. It represents the changing Himalayas are as polluted as the European ture by Patrick Wagnon. It will take place mances will take place at the Kathmandu climate which nobody can deny, especially towns, a fact revealed by a team of French at 3:30 pm on 11 November. Durbar Square. ! page3 one question make your statement As a French resident in Kathmandu, in what ways did you find Nepal and France similar? Four French people from different walks of life, currently residing in Kathmandu, reflect on their experiences of living in Nepal and compare them to nostalgic memories of home. — Suprasanna Aryal Living in Nepal reminds me of the summer holidays I used to spend at the countryside, in Northern France. As a child, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents’ and the living conditions and warmth of the people there were like the ones I’ve met in Kathmandu. When I really think about it, I can see that Nepali and French ways of Yet, what is very surprising here is the cosmopolitan nature of the city itself; and the diversity life aren’t so different. I come from of the catering facilities is amazing! One can have Mexican, Japanese and European cuisines. But a little village in Southern France. what I think I miss most from France is the bread and the cheese. And, quite a bit, the sea too. The place is warm and sunny, with Caroline Sarfati, Director, The French School of Kathmandu, Lazimpat kids riding their bicycle in the village square, their fathers seated on the café’s terrace, and grand-mothers commenting on life from their benches.