Festival of India in China and France

The Festival of India in China and France were announced by Virendra Gupta, director general Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) in the presence of Jerome Bonnafont, the Ambassador of France to India and Xei Fei, Cultural Counsellor of China, says a press release.
Gupta announced the six-month long Festival of India in China, which was inaugurated on April 7 in Beijing by the Minister of External Affairs in China. Dr. Karan Singh, President ICCR inaugurated the 14 month long Namaste France, which would have its formal opening in Paris on April 14.
"There is a lot of interest about India and the idea is to create a balanced presentation of its rich cultural heritage. The original paintings of Rabindranath Tagore would go out of India for the first time and negotiations are on with museums in Paris for space to exhibit 100 paintings. The Chinese Embassy in India and the Indian Embassy in China have expressed a preference for Bollywood and contemporary Indian performances. The Shanghai Expo would feature 40 dancers showcasing Bollywood Awards Nights on television," according to Virendra Gupta.
The Festival of India in China is to be inaugurated at the prestigious auditorium situated within the grounds of the historical Forbidden City. The opening event is a theatre presentation, "Uttar Priyadarshi" based on the life of Emperor Ashoka and choreographed by the eminent theatre director Shri Ratan Thiyam. The remaining months of the Festival will witness a series of carefully chosen presentations of various Indian dance and music forms by eminent artists.
Festival of India in France to be inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, president ICCR.
Namaste France is the reciprocal Festival for Bonjour India. A festival of India in France is taking place after a hiatus of 25 years.
Namaste France would open in Paris on with a folk dance performance by the well known danseuse Mallika Sarabhai. Many other prominent artists are to feature at the Festival.