The Hindu : New Delhi News : Commemorating French language, literature

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Commemorating French language, literature

Madhur Tankha

An interesting line-up of activities planned by Swiss Embassy, Alliance Francaise

WHEN THE MOUNTAINS FELL: `Derborence' by C.F. Ramuz.

NEW DELHI: The Embassy of Switzerland has announced its participation in "Francophonie Week" celebrations at various venues across the Capital beginning March 17. The festival is celebrated across the world to commemorate French language and literature.

On March 18 there will be a reading of "Derborence" (When the Mountains Fell) at the Swiss Embassy on Nyaya Marg. The novel was written by one of Switzerland's most renowned authors of the 20th Century, C.F. Ramuz.

Prof. K. Madavane from the Centre for French and Francophone Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University will give an introduction to Ramuz by reading out excerpts from the original as well as the English translation of his book.

A 94-minute film titled "Derborence" based on the original novel by Ramuz will also be screened. The film has been directed by Swiss filmmaker Francis Reusser. The screening will be followed by an open discussion on the film as well as the author.

At the poetry reading session on March 21, a performance titled "Le Petit Village" based on two poems by Ramuz will be held at 50-N Shantipath in Chanakyapuri.

An interesting line-up of activities has been organised in Alliance Francaise at 72 Lodhi Estate on March 24. There will be a screening of the film "La Guerre Dans Le Haut-Pays" directed by Francis Reusser at M.L. Bhartia Auditorium from 5-30 p.m. The 105-minute film is based on Ramuz's novel.

At the Francophonie mela, a Swiss stall, "Lausanne Et La Region Lemanique", will give the visitors a taste of Swiss cheese on the lawns of Lodhi Estate between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. A quiz contest will be held in which the winner will get a surprise gift. The stall will offer information about the region around Lake Geneva, which was depicted by Ramuz in his works.

At "L'elastique", a Swiss game, visitors can re-discover the fun of hopping and jumping around like a child.

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