“La Fête de la musique” World Music Day 2008
Saturday 21st June 2008 – 7:00 pm
Venue: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium,
Faisalabad Arts Council

Launched in 1982 by the French Ministry for Culture, La Fête de la Musique or The World Music Day is held in more than hundred countries in Europe and over the world. It takes place every 21st June, the day of summer solstice in the northern hemisphere.

It is organized for the second time in Faisalabad.

French Centre Faisalabad is joining hands with City FM 89 and Faisalabad Council of Arts to present free music concerts for the general public.

Sufi Music Night: Exhibition, Book Presentation & a Qawwali Concert
Wednesday 28th May at 6:30 pm
Venue: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium, Faisalabad Arts Council

French Centre Faisalabad, requests the pleasure of your company, at a Sufi Music Night. We will have a book presentation, an exclusive exhibition of Nusrat Fateh Ali khan's portraits and a sufi performance by Rizwan Muazzam Qawal.
“Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the messenger of Qawwali” will be presented by Dr. Pierre Alain Baud. Pierre Alain Baud presents the first ever biography on Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan published in the French speaking world. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was in a league of his own. He once commanded the Qawwali music scene with such a strong presence and authority that left many in a trance. Shortly before his death, this extraordinary man paved his way to many hearts all around the world. Nusrat was coined the “Qawwali Emperor”. His unique voice with his rich lyrics of poetry brought ecstatic celebrations.
Mian Asem Khurshid, the President of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), has kindly consented to grace the evening.

« Singing Bouddha » au Japon, « Quintessence du chant humain » en Tunisie, « Voix du Paradis » aux États-Unis, « Pavarotti de l’Orient » en France…, le chanteur pakistanais Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, a fait résonner partout dans le monde le qawwali, un chant soufi séculaire propice à l’extase divine.
Sa voix à l’intensité et à la souplesse déconcertantes, sa présence embrasée sur scène, ses multiples rencontres et ses métissages musicaux bigarrés, l’ont mué en star des musiques du monde, suscitant l’adhésion des publics les plus différents alors qu’il restait fidèle à son message : « Quand je chante, la distance entre Dieu et moi est moins grande. » disait-il. « Cette musique est la voie du rapprochement».
Trait d’union déjà mythique de son vivant entre tradition et modernité, Orient et Occident, sacré et profane, il n’a cessé, depuis sa disparition en 1997, d’être repris et prolongé par des artistes du monde entier.
Cet ouvrage évoque les racines, la lignée, le parcours de ce "météore" habité par le divin ainsi que les traces qu’il a pu laisser dans son sillage.

Exhibition “Indian Princes & French Jewelers”
Saturday 3rd May at 6:00 pm
French Centre Faisalabad Gallery

 

An inspirational display of jewelry worn by Maharajas of the subcontinent and created by French craftsmen can be seen, as two-week Indian Princess and French Jewelers exhibition will be inaugurated at French Centre Faisalabad on Saturday 3rd May at 6:00pm.
The exhibition reflects golden colors of past and classical combination of the Indo-French cultures and crafts.
As inspirational as the sub-continental culture itself; the jewelry created by Cartier, Mauboussin and Van Cleef & Arpels, is ever alluring with ranges from intricate details and patterns to basic modern simplicity on its own.
The wearing of jewelry itself has always been admired, as it is today and intrinsic part of the Indian life. The precious metals and stones represent riches, possessions or even the necessary adjunct of the power and glory, as the great Mughals have epitomized the saying that the glory of a prince is made tangible by their buildings, library and jewels.
One can, therefore, imagine the Indian princes’ passion for jewels and the importance of their relationship with the world of elite jewelers.
Though occasional contacts were made between the Maharajas and European jewelers in nineteenth century, the Indian style is still proving recurrent theme for the French designers of jewels.
Coming from Islamabad and Lahore the exhibition will also travel to Karachi.
The exhibition will be inaugurated by Mr. Robin Yameen, Chief Traffic Officer Faisalabad.

A Beautiful Bedding, Jewelry and Exquisite Paintings 
Exhibition by Heart & Home
Monday 26th November 2007, 5:00 pm
French Centre Faisalabad Gallery

Heart & Home brings you a beautiful collection of fancy sofa & floor cushions, sheets, quilt covers, bed spreads & bedding for youngsters. A wedding collection of embroidered silks, velvet, jamavar & jacquards available. Exquisite paintings & panels to match your rooms will also be on display. There will be a special display of hand made jewelry.

Mr. Muhammad Ayub Sabir, the President of Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), has kindly consented to be The Chief Guest at the opening ceremony.

The exhibition will remain on display till 30th November 2007.

“l’Usure du Monde” Exhibition of Photographs
by Frédéric LECLOUX, inspired by
Nicolas BOUVIER's book "L'usage du monde".
Saturday, 27th October, 5:00 pm.
French Centre Faisalabad Gallery

A photographer working for the agence VU, Frédéric LECLOUX, admirer of Nicolas Bouvier’s books, decides to follow the steps of the writer and starts a journey following the same route, taking pictures of the faces and places that the writer might have come across, dozens of pictures. Later, he came up with the idea the exhibition could follow the same path.

The exhibition entitled “l’Usure du Monde” inspired by the title of Bouvier’s book is now in Pakistan, final stage of its tour. 

Mr. Alain FREYNET, Counselor for Cultural and scientific Cooperation of French Embassy in Pakistan has kindly consented to be the chief guest for this occasion.

Fête de la Musique 2007
Thursday, 21st June, 7:00 pm onward, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Auditorium, Faisalabad Council of Arts.
 

As like every year in France the 20th June is celebrated as the day of music “Fête de la Musique”.
This festival taking place on June 21, the summer solstice. It began in France, but spread to Belgium, Britain, Germany, China, Lebanon, Malysia, Morrocco, Pakistan and many other countries. Its sole purpose is to promote music by organizing free concerts and making all genres of music accessible to public.

It is the very first time in the history of Faisalabad that La fête de la musique going to be celebrated here.
Three organizations have joined hands to bring this worldwide event in the city of textiles:
- French Centre Faisalabad - Faisalabad Council of Arts - City FM 89

Four concerts are planned for the event. The evening will start by the performance of Muhal de Band who will play alternative and metallic. They will be followed by another band Black Souls. Then we will have the qawwali performance by BJS (Bakhshi Javed Salamat Qawwal). They will sing "fusion qawwali" by blending the eastern system with western pop, rock, hip hop and samba percussion. Finally Madam Surraya Khanam will delight the audience with her melodious vocal performance. 

Exclusive Painting Exhibition of recent works of
Raja Najjam Ul Hassan
Tuesday, 29th May 6:00 pm till 11th June 2007,
French Centre Faisalabad Gallery

There are no figures inhabiting the landscape paintings of Raja Najjam Ul Hassan, only the tranquil pattern of nature reflected in deserts, fields and seas. Inspired by Dubai, where he currently lives and works as a full time artist. He portrays unsullied golden beaches that stretch outwards to mingle with brightest blues of sea. The viewer's gaze continues to travel across the surface until the sea becomes one with the sky on the horizon.
There are arch ways, stairs, towers and streets heavily textures through the medium of a palette knife technique with out the finesse and detail of brush strokes, Najmi endeavors to bring a vigorous and spontaneous feel to his work through paint layered densely in toning shades. Exploring the tonal qualities of colour, compositions are often brought together by a single focused point. The artist appears fascinated by rich and bright yellow of mustards and fills the canvas surface with vast mustard fields, in a aesthetically rich manner.
Exploring the phenomenon of light and shade he examines interesting contrasts, shadows appearing almost as separate entities. Najmi's work documents his impressions of places meaningful to his life lived in several parts of the world.
His bold, impasto use of palette knife creates diverse textural interest on the canvas surfaces and it is obvious that, Najmi is not just painting, but capturing the moments, places and romance of the endless beauty of nature. Marjorie Hussain - Art critic.

Mr. Jean Paul Bouilou, Counselor for Cultural and scientific Cooperation of French Embassy in Pakistan has kindly consented to be the chief guest for this occasion. Mr. Rana Zahid Tausseef, City District Nazim (Mayor), will be the Guest of Honor at this opening ceremony.

Official inauguration
20th March 2007, 04:30 PM

French Centre Faisalabad was officially inaugurated by His Excellency Monsieur Régis De BELENET on 20th of March 2007. This day was celebrated all over the world as "La journée de Francophonie". A large number of faisalabadis attended the event. They were from all walk of life: businessmen, lawyers, educators, professors, etc.

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