French festival Voilah! celebrates all things French: from food, film and art to gaming and cooking classes.
We do like our French culture around here. With Voilah! French Festival Singapore rolling into town this week, it’s time to indulge our inner Francophiles… Animated art, Angkor Wat, cooking classes, that’s just the tip of the iceberg at this month-long festival!
The French take on animation
8 – 21 April
Besides deep, black-and-white films and French New Wave, the French have also put out some animation classics. Teaming up with independent cinema The Projector, you can catch some of the best in French animation at Voilah! including the coming of age epic set in the Middle East, Persepolis and the visually arresting Ghibli-esque surrealist masterpiece, The Triplets of Belleville.
French Animation Programme, 8-21 April, The Projector, 6001 Beach Rd, Golden Mile Tower #05-00, The Projector, Singapore 199589
Join a cosmic rave with Martin Solveig
4 May
As part of the closing festivities of Voilah!, French (of course) house and electro DJ Martin Solveig will be lending his hand in making it a closing ceremony to remember. Returning to Zouk, this sought after DJ will be playing his signature blend of melodic disco. Where the party at? The ultimate party pad, Zouk of course!
Martin Solveig, 4 May, Zouk, 3C River Valley Road, The Cannery, Singapore 179022
French cooking with a French chef
22, 23, 28 April
What’s a French festival without any French food? French chef Frédéric Coiffe from So France, Le Bistro-Epicerie will be presenting a special series of cooking classes at Voilah! for the public. From delightful canneles to savoury French butter, your tastebuds will thank you for the classes.
So France cooking classes, Cannelés (22 April), Butter (23 April), Oysters (28 April).
Explore Angkor Wat through the eyes of the French
8 April – 22 July
This revered UNESCO World Heritage site is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological wonders. But before the late 19th century, this place was virtually unknown to the outside world. In this exhibition, visitors will get to see rare Khmer sculptures, French drawings, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of the French encounter with Angkor and its sensational emergence onto the international stage. Angkor: Exploring Cambodia’s Sacred City, 8 Apr-22 July, Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place, Singapore 179955
What’s in a game?
19 April – 25 May
French gaming giants Ubisoft (who are based in Singapoee will be at the National Design Centre to launch an interactive exhibition that will dive in the history of French gaming company Ubisoft; the Assassin’s Creed saga, its rich historical setting and the contributions of the Singapore studio to the franchise. Why? It’s their 10 anniversary this year. Peek the game creation process like researching characters, sound, design and music.
The Art Behind the Game – The Ubisoft experience, 19 Apr-25 May, National Design Centre, Atrium & Design Gallery, 11 Middle Rd, Singapore 188969