In France, a spirit of wine and festivity arrives with the third Thursday of November as the year’s ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’ makes its way around the world.
At a recent soiree at the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre (FNCC), France’s ambassador to Namibia, Cécile Vigneau marked the occasion with invited guests.
“Beaujolais Nouveau is a young wine from the Beaujolais wine region in eastern France. It is bottled six to eight weeks after harvest,” she said in her opening remarks.
Described as a light, fruity red wine made of Gamay grapes, Beaujolais Nouveau is a vin de primeur (early wine), produced shortly before it’s released for sale.
Events are held all over the world to celebrate the arrival of the wine, following the year’s harvest.
“Beaujolais Nouveau is a popular celebration in France, both in cities and in the countryside,” Vigneau said.
“I remember going from one bistro to the other in Paris to enjoy that third Thursday of November,” she said. “It is an opportunity to get together, and to meet friends over a glass of wine, some cheese and some delicacies.”
Serving this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, French cheese and charcuterie facilitated by Africa Global Logistics, the event was an enjoyable introduction to a beloved French tradition.
French wine, cheeses and other products are now available at select Model stores, particularly at Auas Valley in Windhoek.
Vigneau also took the opportunity to highlight the FNCC’s celebration of 25 years at its current location on Robert Mugabe Avenue.
The FNCC, as an institution,will mark its 35th anniversary next year.
“This building has really been a home of culture, art, education and community,” Vigneau said.
The ambassador encouraged patrons to join the FNCC’s 25th anniversary celebrations from 1 to 5 December.
The anniversary programme begins with an education open house at the French language centre and a photography exhibition, titled ‘Teachers’ Words/Paroles de Profs’ by French photographer Guillaume Haurice on 1 December.
On Tuesday, the FNCC will screen MichelGondry’s ‘L’Ecume des jours (Mood Indigo)’ at 17h30.
A round-table discussion titled ‘FNCC: Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow’ will take place on Wednesday from 18h00 to 20h00, followed by a pot d’amitié.
The aforementioned events are all free.
On Thursday at 18h00, patrons are invited to a ‘conversational dance performance’ with Marie Caroline Hominal and Nelisiwe Xaba.
The showcase is presented in collaboration with FNCC, the University of Namibia, Pro Helvetia and the embassies of France and Switzerland.
Tickets are N$50.
To close the 25th anniversary celebrations, the FNCC will host a French Cabaret Night with Lize Ehlers featuring DJ Rise Elders, the Ombetja Yehinga Organisation dance company and invited artists.
The show begins at 19h00 and tickets are N$100.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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