A Morsel of France In Zambia: La Fête Français

the Exclusive By. The Lord Kempson Ari deVisé

@ZambiazHarshTag ● @KempsonAri

kalembaweyulu.wordpress.com/ 

Louis XIV the Sun King is the King that redefined and created the lasting legacy of French style and elegance we still celebrate today in many regards. French standards of elegant living, style, cuisine and luxury transcend all barriers both geographical and social. From the French engineered Renault, authentic crêpes and other delicious déjeuner favourites to petonque matches, the Alliance Français of Lusaka facebook.com/Alliance-Fran%C3%A7aise-de-Lusaka-334103683345900/timeline/?ref=br_rs Open Day (which was free) was a truly French affair indeed. Making the event official, the French Ambassador Monsieur Emmanuel Cohet (@EmmanuelCohet) and his family were also in attendance.

Samira attends to customers

For the young and old, lovers of French pastries there was a range of activities and treats to indulge the senses on 19^th September 2015. After winning coupons from the French Quiz stand, the next stop was the crêpes counter and the boulangerie. Madame Samira La boulangère was on hand to serve the freshet French as well as German breads and pastries which could be smelt from the entrance of the Alliance. Samira Graf-Nouira the proprietor and chief baker of Three Kings Bakery (who also offer

Kempson and Samira celebrate French food and fashion

services to the French and American consular) was on hand to showcase and sell her delicious treats which included La Baguette (The French national breakfast bread), Le Pain au Chocolat, Croissants and other French and German staples. With butter straight from Normandy and chocolate from Belgium, the ingredients and recipes are authentic in their making and taste. The prices dropped to 50% during the final hour the event and saw people flock to the Three Kings Bakery stand for more take home indulgences.   With flavours to nourish the taste buds, the eyes and ears also needed entertainment.

Mumba Yachi and Kasolo perform  

As promised, there was also musical entertainment with some Zambian flavour on the patio in the Alliance garden. Mumba Yachi (@MumbaYachi) and Austin Kasolo delivered a stellar acoustic indigenous musical expose. The set included humorous social commentary through songs such as Umwina Mobe (your spouse or partner) and Umuchele (salt), and was also coloured with pauses of conversation and descriptions of the various songs. To add to the pomp and musical diversity, guitar and musical maverick James Sakala (@JaySaThomas) and female vocalist and song writing sensation Scarlet (@Scarlet_MwanaOK) made a guest appearance much to the delight of the revelers. Theirs was a string of duets as well as renditions of Kalindula

James Sakala and Scarlet serenade the audience with ballads 

classics. I couldn’t resist joining the act on percussion as Jakob maintained the rhythm on bongo and the djembe. The 2 hour set was indeed a musical delight. For the dancers and funs of street culture, Street Culture also put on a dance clinic in the main hall. The clinic saw children and adults participate and learn the art of break dance and other street culture dance techniques.

Aside from French lessons, the French School of Lusaka is also located on the Alliance premises as well as the French library for those wishing to access French literature, media and material by such French greats as Hugo and Voltaire. There also local language classes on offer for those wishing to prefect the Zambianization process. The Open Day was just an eye opener to what the Alliance Français of Lusaka has to offer, and an invitation to the masses to be a part of this great long term ongoing cultural exchange between France and Zambia.    

 

Alliance Français Director, Street Culture founders Kapembwa Siame & Elijah Zgambo & crew member T-Bo 

40+ years on of existence in Zambia, the Alliance Français of Lusaka continues to be an institution and hub that supports all cultures and continues to be at the forefront of promoting both local and international aesthetic diversity. The current director Justine Delefortrie is doing a magnificent job at the helm of the institution, and the first ever Open Day is an example of the great work she's doing. The important endeavors are also supported by benevolent organisations and sponsors such as, République Française Ministrère Des Affair Étrangères facebook.com/france.zambie, Renault, The National Arts Council (NAC), Vibrant Africa ((@Vibrantafrica) the director Jakob Hoff was in attendance at the event), Power Fm (@PowerFM997), Hot FM 87.7 (@HOT877Zambia) and other radio stations as well as television stations such as Muvi TV, who contribute in various ways towards making events such as the Open Day a success. The event was well organised and delivered in true French style à la Français. Champagne

For those authentic Trois Rois French and German pastries go to 5C Kabulonga Road or call Samira on +260 975 908 100. Bon Appetite!  

The 3^rd Promenades Musicales as part of the French German Cultural Week  which also celebrates 50 years of diplomatic relations will be on from the 4^th to 17^th October 2015. Contact the Alliance on Facebook or on +260211253467.

Mumba Yachi will also be in concert at the Alliance Français on 23^rd October 2015 from 7pm.