Le French Festival 2024

Le French Festival is over for 2024!

The annual celebration of French culture in Malaysia took place from 10th to 23rd June in Penang! This year we had films, exhibitions, workshops, French heritage trails, a pétanque tournament, classical music, a family weekend and a free concert for International Music Day.

In line with the Olympic and Paralympic Games taking place in Paris this summer, we celebrated sports, family and inclusivity across all of our events. We were delighted to welcome you at our celebrations and thank you for participating whole-heartedly!

Week 1

• 10 June – Photography masterclass by Serge Périchon at AFP

• 11 June – Theatre masterclass by Sophie Caritté at AFP

• 15 June – Penang Pétanque Tournament at Batu Ferringhi

• 15 June – French Heritage Trail: George Town

• 15 to 16 June – Experience France in VR at AFP

• 16 June – Chamber Music at the Courtyard at the Blue Mansion

Week 2

• 20 June – Theatre workshop by Marsu at AFP

• 21 June – Fête de la Musique: Marsu in concert at Gurney Plaza

• 22 June – French Heritage Trail: Pulau Tikus

• 22 June – Le Petit Festival at Gurney Plaza

• 22 June – Alsace Fan Day at The Hillside, Tanjung Bungah

French Film Festival

This year we present 16 of the latest French films being screened for the first time in Malaysia: from the historical epic of The Three Musketeers to dramas, comedies, films about sports and children's films.

The films include:

• The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan (16) (Marathon Screening)
  Les Trois Mousquetaires : D'Artagnan

• The Three Musketeers: Milady (16)
  Les Trois Mousquetaires : Milady

• A Chance to Win (13) – Pour l'honneur

• Final Set (16) – 5ème Set

• Houria (P12) – Houria

• Ride Above (13) – Tempête

• Epic Tails (P12) – Pattie et la colère de Poséidon

• Little Nicholas: Happy As Can Be (P12)
  Le petit Nicolas : qu'est-ce qu'on attend pour être heureux ?

• Bernadette (The President's Wife) (13) – Bernadette

• The Animal Kingdom (16) – Le règne animal

• A Difficult Year (18) – Une année difficile

• Beating Sun (16) – Tant que le soleil frappe

• Junkyard Dog (16) – Chien de la casse

• The Taste of Things (16) – La passion de Dodin Bouffant

• Divertimento (P12) – Divertimento

• On The Wandering Paths (13) - Sur les chemins noirs

Please book directly at
https://www.gsc.com.my/film-festival/le-french-festival-2024

Fête de la Musique : Marsu in concert

To celebrate International Music Day, French trio Marsu are travelling to Malaysia to perform an inclusive free concert at Gurney Plaza!

With a variety of classic French chansons, their own songs and French versions of popular English songs, this crowd-pleasing concert will have something for all tastes. Even better, it will be absolutely free for all to attend!

Friday 21 June 2024, 7.30pm–9pm

Alfresco area, Gurney Plaza

Free of charge

*Event finished*

In partnership with Gurney Plaza and G Hotel

Music Makers presents Chamber Music at the Courtyard

Penang's very own Music Makers group of classical musicians are performing a selection of French and German chamber music at the Blue Mansion.

The programme includes:

Richard Strauss: Morgen, Heimliche Aufforderung, Cäcilie, Allerseelen, Zueignung
Robert Schumann: Fantasiestück
Francis Poulenc: Le Bestiaire
Jules Massenet: Élégie
Camille Saint-Saëns: Tryptique, Danse macabre

Sunday 16 June 2024, 5pm

Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion

RM 80

*Event finished*

Book at https://www.ticket2u.com.my/event/35625/chamber-music-concert-at-the-courtyard

In partnership with Music Makers and Cheong Fatt Tze: The Blue Mansion

La longue course :
The Long Journey of Female Athletes toward Equality

An exhibition exploring the evolution of female athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games – from 2% in 1900 to 50% at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the first time that female athletes have been equally represented – as well as the obstacles still to be overcome.

The exhibition also celebrates two Malaysian sports scientists who have been supported by the Embassy of France in Malaysia to research female athletes.

Wednesday 12 to Wednesday 19 June 2024, 10am–10pm

Ground Floor Walkway, Gurney Plaza

Free entry

*Event finished*

 In partnership with Ambassade de France en Malaisie, Campus France, Cité Sciences et Industrie and Gurney Plaza

Pour la beauté du geste : The Beauty of the Sporting Gesture
by Serge Périchon

An exhibition of photographs of young athletes taken by Serge Périchon, photographer and youth sports teacher.

Photographs are available for sale, with proceeds going to Compa FC, a local youth sports organisation in Teluk Kumbar.

Tuesday 11 to Saturday 22 June 2024, 2pm–6pm
Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 June, 10am–6pm

Alliance Française de Penang, 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong

Free entry

Expérience de VR : Experience France in Virtual Reality

A selection of VR experiences of Paris landmarks and famous French artworks, including the Mona Lisa and Monet's Waterlilies!

Saturday 15 June to Sunday 16 June 2024, 10am–6pm

Alliance Française de Penang, 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong

Free entry

*Event finished*

In partnership with the Institut Français

Masterclass de photographie : Photography masterclass by Serge Périchon

Exhibition launch and photography masterclass by photographer and youth sports teacher Serge Périchon, who is visiting us from France.

Serge will speak about his own journey and experiences before talking about photography more generally, through the use of well-known photos as well as photos participants happen to have with them on their phones!

The masterclass will be held in French and English.

Monday 10 June 2024, 7.30–9.30pm

Alliance Française de Penang, 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong

Free entry

Registration required (limited to 25 pax)

*Event finished*

Register at https://forms.gle/yUGDbRUH5tXRzCUs6

Masterclass de théâtre : Theatre masterclass by Sophie Caritté

A theatre masterclass by acclaimed stage actress Sophie Caritté, who is visiting us from France.

Sophie will talk about her own experiences as an actress in many stage plays and films, followed by a more practical session focusing on using the body, space, listening and emotions.

The masterclass will be held in French and English.

Please wear clothing which allows you to move!

Tuesday 11 June 2024, 7.30–9.30pm

Alliance Française de Penang, 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong

Free entry

Registration required (limited to 25 pax)

*Event finished*

Register at https://forms.gle/iudWk25ZWmYcErkaA

Atélier de théâtre : Theatre workshop by Marsu

A theatre and movement workshop by performer and musician Marsu, who is visiting us from France.

The workshop will be in two parts. The first hour features guided group games, based around objects and sounds. The second hour focuses on improvisations, with the goal of developing participants' imaginations.

Participants of all ages are welcome.

The workshop will be held in English.

Thursday 20 June 2024, 7.30–9.30pm

Alliance Française de Penang, 46 Jalan Phuah Hin Leong

Free entry

Registration required (limited to 25 pax)

*Event cancelled*

Register at https://forms.gle/oYYhPSeM7nqfSF2k6

Tournoi de pétanque : Penang Pétanque Tournament

Join us for a day-long tournament of the classic French sport of pétanque!

Saturday 15 June 2024, 9am–5pm

Batu Ferringhi (location disclosed to participants)

RM 100, registration required

*Event finished*

Tournament format: 16 teams competing over 4 rounds
Teams: 3 players per team, with 2 balls each
Stages: Qualifying rounds in the morning, final rounds after lunch

Ticket includes: Coffee, croissant, BBQ lunch (sausages, fries, salads, fruits), water and soft drinks.
Traditional French "pastis" liqueur sponsored by Ricard!
Prizes sponsored by Martell.
Tournament T-shirt and prizes sponsored by Decathlon.
A bar with wine and beer will be organised during the day.

Please register with the following details:

Team name
Participant names (3 per team)
T-shirt sizes for each participant
Email and telephone number of team captain
Please specify if you will be bringing your own 6 balls and carrier (borrowing is possible on payment of a deposit).

In partnership with AGS, CCI France Malaysia and Decathlon

French Heritage Trail: George Town

Follow the footsteps of the first French arrivals in Penang and explore the impact they left in George Town, from the first church on the island to some of the first schools in Southeast Asia!

Featuring:
Church of the Assumption
Penang Diocesan Museum
St Xavier's Institution
Church of St Francis Xavier

Saturday 15 June, 9am–11am

Church of the Assumption, Farquhar Street

RM 50

*Event finished*

Register at https://penanghiddengems.com/products/leff-x-phg-george-town-french-heritage-trail

In partnership with Penang Hidden Gems

French Heritage Trail: Pulau Tikus

For the first time, discover the story of the French missionaries working in the spirit of St. Jean-Baptiste de la Salle and how their impact spread from Pulau Tikus in Penang across East and Southeast Asia.

Featuring:
Church of the Immaculate Conception
College General (Gurney Plaza)
St Joseph's Novitiate (Gurney Paragon)

Saturday 22 June 2024, 5pm–7pm

Church of the Immaculate Conception, 1 Lorong Maktab

RM 50

*Event finished*

Register at https://penanghiddengems.com/products/leff-x-phg-pulau-tikus-french-heritage-trail

In partnership with Penang Hidden Gems

Le Petit Festival : Le French Festival for Kids

In line with kids' movies being screened at GSC Gurney Plaza (Little Nicholas and Epic Tails), we're putting on a range of activities for children and families on the final weekend of Le French Festival. Activities include origami, virtual reality, and a mini-quiz with the chance to win cinema tickets and other prizes!

Saturday 22 June, 2pm–6pm

Art Safari, 3rd Floor, Extension Wing, Gurney Plaza

Free entry (films are payable)

*Event finished*

 In partnership with Gurney Plaza