Bonjour India! France to stage mega festival this December

The firendly atmosphere has already heightened with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attending the French National Day celebrations in Paris this week.

The festival was announced on the French National Day in Paris, a statement issued by the French Embassy in the capital said Thursday.  
       
"Bonjour India" will feature over 150 events and 250 artists, musicians, researchers and entrepreneurs from France who will collaborate with their counterparts in India between December 2009 to January 2010. Planned during the festival are exhibitions, concerts, literature, cinema, debates, conferences, food festivals and economic and scientific exchanges.

"Bonjour India" will touch base in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur and Pondicherry.

French ambassador to India Jerome Bonnafont said, “Bonjour India is an initiative to strengthen the Indo-French relationship, and to further increase cooperation in the fields of trade, science, technology, education and culture.”

"Bonjour India" will focus on three central themes which are intrinsic to both countries - innovation, heritage and sustainable development.
The festival will also focus on environment with 30 architects showcasing their sustainable development models.