The 70th birthday of the French Institute in Serbia

On June 21, in Knez Mihajlova Street in Belgrade, the 70th birthday of the French Institute in Serbia was marked. Manuel Boir, director of the French Institute in Serbia, Jean-Louis Falconi, French ambassador to Serbia, and Maja Gojkovic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture of Serbia, Aleksandar Ilic, professor of the Belgrade Dance Institute and the School of engineering management and choreographer, and students Mia Tufegdzic addressed the audience. and Tanja Basta.

Manuel Boir, director of the French Institute in Serbia, addressed the audience with the words: “This birthday celebration is important, and the health situation is finally improving and allows us to gather in larger numbers in a solemn way.” And as you know, meetings are the real reason for the existence of the French Institute. Creating connections between the Serbian and French worlds, culture and knowledge, that is the reason for the existence of the French Institute, and that is why I am delighted to see you here today. ”

The Ambassador of France to Serbia, Jean-Louis Falconi, also announced the upcoming events on the occasion of the jubilee: The birthday of the French Institute is also marked by events that will run until the end of the year, such as the upcoming exhibition dedicated to visual arts. which is a nice paradox, this June 2021. A dance performance by the author duo Christophe Beranger and Jonathan Pranlas-Descours – Sine Qua Non Art, performed by students of the Institute for Artistic Dance, will be performed on the stage of the BITEF Theater on Tuesday, June 29, starting at 8:00 PM. Several events dedicated to the popularization of science will be held later in the fall in cooperation with numerous partners.

Maja Gojković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture of Serbia, stated at the opening of the celebration: “Our ties and partnership in the field of culture and art are traditionally strong. Many intellectuals and artists from Serbia were educated and created in France. From composer Miloje Milojević, painter Nadežda Petrović, Sava Shumanović, Milan Konjović, through Parisian painters Vladimir Veličković, Ljubo Popović and others, all the way to modern days and Emir Kusturica, our famous director, composer Goran Bregović, violinist Nemanja Radulović, and many others which connect our two cultures and contribute to their constant dialogue. ”

Professor of the Institute for Artistic Dance and choreographer Aleksandar Ilic spoke about an important segment of education and support of artistic dance through the programs of the French Institute in Serbia, especially emphasizing the support and cooperation between the French Institute of Serbia and the Institute for Artistic Dance.

Throughout the day, in front of the French Institute in Knez Mihailova, artistic performances, culinary and wine surprises, free tests of French language levels, information about French courses and studying in France were announced. DJ Gringo presents contemporary French music, artists TKV and Caldea demonstrate their street art, the graphic collective Matrijaršija prints and sells T-shirts “70 years”, and the group Balkan Fury and Stanica – Service for contemporary dance perform contemporary and hip hop dance. The end and closing of the event are scheduled for 6 pm with the performance of the group Sine Qua Non Art and students of the Institute for Artistic Play in the windows of the French Institute in Serbia.

Photo: Anđela Petrovski.