Fort Vauban, Longwy Vilhena Gate, Mdina

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March 2015
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Bonj(o)u(r)
The news magazine on France and Malta
EDITORIAL
Ambassador
Mrs le Fraper
du Hellen
welcomes you
on board this
new Bonj(o)u(r)
Page 2
DOSSIER
SPECIAL
French Cuisine
DOSSIER
SPECIAL
French Cuisine
DOSSIER
SPECIAL
French Cuisine
Gastronomic
meal of the
French is
Cultural heritage
on Unesco’s list
Michelin Guide
2015 edition
was unveiled by
French MFA in
order to
promote the
French cuisine
Operation
GoodFrance on
March 19: chefs
and gourmets
around the
world celebrate
French cuisine
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Page 4
Page 5
Vilhena Gate, Mdina
DOSSIER
SPECIAL
French Cuisine
Operation Good
France in Malta
Where will you
dine on March
19?
Page 6
CULTURE
EDUCATION
RADIO / TV
Visit of Saint
Clare College
by the
Ambassador.
French books
for the library.
Partnership
RFI-France24 /
PBS
Francophonie
on Maltese
airwaves
Week of
Francophonie
in Malta
Program, from
March 18 till 26
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Page 8
Page 9
IN THE NAVY
ECONOMICS
CALENDAR
Call of French
ship Adroit in
Malta.
Defense and
citizenship Day
for French
youngsters
The first
incubator in the
world
specializing in
tourism.
It’s in Paris
What to do in
Malta and
France in the
coming weeks
Page 10
Page 11-12
Page 13
Fort Vauban, Longwy
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Dear friends,
It is a great pleasure to introduce this new issue of Bonj(o)u(r). New Ambassador of France to Malta, I
know I can rely on the great work of my predecessors, but also on your dynamism - Maltese in love or
just curious of France, compatriots settled on the archipelago and French speaking communities - to
further enhance the richness of our common culture, this Mediterranean culture that is dear to me.
Over the last few weeks I have met, French companies already established or starting to work in
Malta, teachers animating various partnerships between the University of Malta and France, Maltese
schoolchildren who explained to me that Paris is "the city of love", young Maltese of the Malta Tourism
Institute paired with French hotel schools, French dancers in the Maltese national troupe Zfin, volunteers
mobilized for the reception of French people settling in Malta, and determined promoters of our
gastronomy ... Bravo!
The staff of the Embassy will always be available to listen to your ideas, support your projects and
contribute to enhance the cooperation areas and exchanges between our two countries.
This month of March 2015 is particularly suitable as the traditional week of the Francophonie will
be added this year to an exceptional event: the day of French gastronomy. Celebrated around the world
as part of "Operation Goût de France / Good France", on March 19, it will highlight the French cuisine and
fine dining which symbolize France, both reflections of ancient traditions and expression of our
adaptability and openness to the world.
Dear friends, in the difficult times our country had
gone through in January, the Maltese showed an unwavering
solidarity with France : it is a privilege for me to serve in this
friendly, European and Mediterranean country.
Important deadlines are ahead of us : the Paris Conference
on Climate Change in December 2015, of which the success is
essential for both our countries, the Maltese presidency of
the European Union in
2017, the year 2018
when Valletta will be the European Capital of culture .... All these
events will be opportunities to enhance and further strengthen our
ties, to address common challenges and work together to develop
sustainable solutions.
On the 5th of February, at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, H.E. Ms. Béatrice le
Fraper du Hellen - Ambassador of the Republic of France presented her credentials
to the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.
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The “gastronomic meal of the French”,
On the list of intangible cultural heritage of UNESCO
The “gastronomic meal of the French”, with its rituals and its presentation, has been inscribed in
2010 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, a category
introduced in 2003 with the aim of protecting cultures and popular traditions.
Unlike concrete world heritage – which
includes sites and monuments – intangible
heritage refers to practices, representations,
expressions, knowledge and know-how which
communities recognise as being part of their
cultural heritage, passed down from one
generation to the next, and that bring them a
feeling
of
identity
and
continuity.
This
intangible heritage thus contributes to promote
respect of cultural diversity and creativity.
“The gastronomic meal of the French plays an active social role within its community and is
transmitted from generation to generation as part of its identity” UNESCO
UNESCO has not singled out any particular French recipe. It was more about recognising the
identity ritual of the meal, a customary social practice for celebrating important moments in the lives of
individuals and groups (such as births, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, achievements and reunions),
that has been saluted. An original blend of conviviality and gastronomy where the French gather around
a dressed table to share quality dishes accompanied by an appropriate wine.
The idea of the French candidacy had been launched at the end of 2006 by a group of gastronomes
and Chefs convinced that “cookery is culture”. The support committee had collected 300 to 400
signatures of Chefs, including the renowned Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse, Pierre Troisgros, Marc Veyrat
and Michel Guérard.
France now has twelve cultural traditions on the UNESCO
list, the latest being Gwoka: music, song, dance and cultural
practice representative of Guadeloupean identity inscribed in
2014.
For more information, please consult www.unesco.org
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Michelin Guide and culinary diplomacy
With an already well-established reputation, the Michelin
Guide’s annual media publication causes its fair share of joys and
disappointments within France and the ninety other countries where
the "Red Guide" is distributed.
Through the use of a ‘one, two, or three-star’ classifying
system, Michelin is able to identify the best culinary, hotel and catering locations in France and abroad (notably
New York, Tokyo and the major European cities), acting as the global benchmark in terms of reputation and
recognition of these professions.
Since the guide’s first publication in 1900, the Michelin brothers began their venture by providing
practical information to motorists (on tire repairs, fuel depots, hotels, city maps) but over time the guide has
become a mark of excellence for French cuisine and is today endorsed by Laurent Fabius.
The 2015 edition has been unveiled at the Quai d'Orsay with the term "Gastrono-diplomacy" becoming
a key asset for foreign trade and tourism promotion, two fields which have been newly introduced under the
responsibility of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Development.
Based on creativity and prestige, French gastronomy is a distinct emblem of our diplomatic heritage,
served on a silver platter by the 609 starlit kitchens which our country will be counting on throughout 2015.
Excerpts from Laurent Fabius’ speech on February2 :
"The presentation of Michelin Guide in the Quai d'Orsay is a first. It is true that the Foreign Ministry was more
used to receiving seasoned diplomats and
starred generals rather than starred chefs, but
since you made me the proposal, I readily
agreed. Why? first, because the promotion of
tourism and foreign trade are now in the
jurisdiction of the Quai d'Orsay, this was not
the case before. I wished that it should be so,
and it's done. "
Where to find the starred chefs ? : http://restaurant.michelin.fr/
New three stars restaurants :
Le Pavillon Ledoyen, chef Yannick Alléno (Paris XVIII)
La Bouitte, chefs René et Maxime Meilleur (Saint-Martin- de-Belleville)
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Good France operation – March 19
Thursday, 19 March 2015, restaurants all around the world will offer more than 1300 dinners to
celebrate France’s gastronomy by inviting the public to share a “French dinner”. The Goût de/Good
France initiative is being organised by Alain Ducasse and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Development.
Restaurants from all over the world, from bistros to haute cuisine, were invited to apply by
submitting a menu that promoted French gastronomy: cuisine that uses fresh, seasonal and local
products; foods which are low in fat, sugar and salt; recipes which promote “healthy eating” and the
environment; and menus which give prominence to vegetables.
An international committee of chefs, chaired by Alain Ducasse and bringing together around forty
of the most internationally-renowned names in the field, approved the list of participating chefs based on
the coherence and quality of their proposed
menus.
Inspired by Auguste Escoffier, who in
1912 launched the “Dîners d’Épicure”
(Epicurean Dinners) initiative – the same
menu, on the same day, in several world
cities and aimed at as many diners as
possible. Similarly, Goût de/Good France
wishes to reproduce this beautiful idea by
seeking to involve restaurants from all
around the world.
During the project’s introductory
presentation, Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development declared:
“France’s heritage is its cuisine, its wines, (...). The Gastronomic meal of the French has been on the UNESCO
World Heritage list since 2010, but it is a heritage that should not simply be contemplated, glorified and
savoured; it is a heritage that should be built upon and showcased.”
This gastronomic journey is a perfect illustration of two important aspects of French culture:
promoting local specialties and providing openness to the world.
More informations on the official website, twitter and Facebook
Alain Ducasse is a Monégasque chef of French origin. From Gascony and
Mediterranean at heart, he has been awarded the three-Michelin-star rating
three times: the first at the ‘Le Louis XV’ Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo’ in Monaco
(in 1990), the second at the ‘Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée’ in Paris (in 1997)
and the third at the ‘Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester’ in London (in 2010).
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Good France operation in Malta
Where will you go for dinner on March 19 ?
For Good France in Malta, seven restaurants will propose a special menu :
Bacchus Restaurant
Antoine Mamo
1, Inguanez Alley,
Mdina
21 454 981
www.bacchus.com.mt
Cordial restaurant
Chez Cyrille
Cyrille Darras
123 old theater street
Valletta
21 239 576
Chez Amand
Amand P.Veranneman
Seafront Qbajjar
Marsalforn, Gozo
99 423 775
www.chezamand.com
De Mondion
Kevin Bonnello
The Xara Palace
Relais & Chateaux
Mdina
21 450 560
www.xarapalace.com.mt
Malata Restaurant
Godwin Mercieca
Palace Square
Valletta
21 233 967
www.malatamalta.com
Medina
Matthew Schembri
7 Holly Cross Street
Mdina
21 454 004
www.medinarestaurantmalta.com
Pegasus
Saul Halevi
The Mall
Floriana
21 255 241
www.phoeniciamalta.com
The Embassy of France in Malta has also edited for the occasion
a recipe book which soon will be available on our website www.ambafrance-mt.org
The Alliance française also offers a learning workshop
French around the kitchen on 24 and 26 March from 9am to 12pm..
https://www.facebook.com/events/841265105912001/
www.timesofmalta.com
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Visit of Saint Clare College by the Ambassador.
French books for the library.
As part of the support for teaching of
French, the French Ambassador to Malta Ms.
Béatrice le Fraper du Hellen paid a visit to St Clare
College in Pembroke. She was accompanied by the
Cultural Counselor at the French Embassy Mr
Laurent Croset.
The Ambassador was warmly welcomed by
school management, French teachers and some of
the 140 pupils learning French at school.
Ambassador Béatrice le Fraper du Hellen and Laurent Croset
with Doreen Farrugia (French E.O.), Mary-Rose Leone
(Director) and board members
This visit was also an opportunity to give
books
in
French
supplied
by
Biblionef
association, partner with the Embassy, to the
College library. (Biblionef Operation – French
Embassy in Malta on the association’s website :
www.biblionef.com/archives/2937 )
The Embassy wishes to give special
thanks to Ms. Doreen Farrugia, responsible for
French teaching (Education Officer at Junior
College) for organizing this visit.
In April, the Ambassador will be
welcomed in Santa Tereza College in
Mriehel by the principal Mr Robert N. Borg
and head of French department Ms Ruth
Bonello, member of the Association des
Professeurs de Français de Malte (French
Teachers’ Association).
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Partnership RFI-France24 / PBS
Francophonie on Maltese airwaves
As part of its mission to promote the French language and culture, the Services of Cooperation and
Cultural Action (SCAC) of the French Embassy in Malta has brought about an unprecedented agreement
between France’s “Radio France Internationale (RFI)”, France24 and Malta’s “Public Broadcasting Services
Limited (PBS)” for the transmission of French language courses for Malta’s non-francophone listeners.
At 6pm every Friday, ‘Radju Malta 2’ broadcasts one episode of a the 25-part educational radio
drama called “Le Talisman Brisé” (‘The Broken Talisman’), an audio course produced by RFI, the French
International radio Broadcaster. This series is specifically designed to assist secondary-school-level
beginners of French to improve their audio skills. Every episode is 7 minutes in length and will feature on
‘Radju Malta 2’, (http://www.tvm.com.mt/radio/radju-malta-2/ ) every Friday at 6pm till 26 June 2015.
These episodes will also be accompanied by online grammar exercises in order to visually assist
the listeners and to keep track of the plot.
These can be found at: http://www1.rfi.fr/cours_de_francais/le_talisman_brise
Le Talisman brisé – An African adventure to discover the French language
«Listen to the wind, that’s the Sahara crying.
She’s waiting for a man of integrity to make her green again.»
Kwamé is a South African gardener who works with Professor Omar, the man who ‘can make the
Sahara green again’, on an Agronomical Research Centre in Burkina Faso. One day, Professor
Omar is kidnapped by some mysterious visitors and Kwamé finds part of a broken talisman, left
behind by the kidnappers at the experimental garden. Where is Professor Omar and who has the
other half of the talisman? In order to save the professor and the desert, Kwamé sets off of on a
dangerous adventure to find the kidnappers. He has one major problem, however; since his French
is not up to par, Kwamé must learn to communicate in the language by following various clues…
This Franco-Maltese partnership will continue with the next release of :
-
« Mission Paris » ( 26 episodes)
-
« L’affaire du coffret » (60 episodes)
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Week of Francophonie in Malta :
Program, from March 18 till 26
WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH - 6PM - MALTA UNIVERSITY
The International Day of La Francophonie organised by the French Department
Preparation of Desserts, Poetry reading and Theatre excerpts, French Piano Music, Information on « Studying
in France »; French dishes and pastries
To participate please contact Derya Kizilgun at La Petite Auberge de France : 2340 2108
http://www.um.edu.mt/arts/french
FRIDAY 20 MARCH – 5PM - ALLIANCE FRANCAISE
A musico-literary evening organised by the Association of French Teachers in Malta (APFM)

5pm - Seminar by Prof. Carmen Depasquale « Theatre during the ‘Sun King’ era»
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6pm - Excerpts from the Musical Comedy « Le Roi Soleil » (“The Sun King”)
 6 :30pm - Scene from « L ‘Avare » (‘The Miser”),
by Molière, performed by the students
 7pm - Activities based on the musical suite « Le Carnaval des Animaux »
(The Carnival of the Animals) by Camille Saint-Saëns
 7h30 - Award ceremony for the competition on the 300th anniversary of the
death of Louis XIV, followed by closing reception and vin d’honneur
TUESDAY 24 MARCH – FROM 9AM
SAN GORG PRECA COLLEGE
The Franco-Maltese Centre organises its Franco-fête, dedicated to the Maltese secondary schools and colleges
Award ceremonies of the competitions « Make me a poster » and « Draw me a Map »
Questionnaires based on French Language, Culture and Civilisation
http://schoolnet.gov.mt/centrefrancomaltais/
THURSDAY 26 MARCH – 6PM - ALLIANCE FRANCAISE
Documentary film « La Cour de Babel » (French with english subtitles)
Keeping her camera in a classroom, Julie Bertucelli explores the immigrant
experience of a group of international adolescents that have just arrived in France.
http://www.alliancefr.org.mt/
http://www.dismoidixmots.culture.fr/
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Call of French ship Adroit in Malta.
Defense and citizenship Day for French youngsters
On the occasion of the
stopover of the patrol boat “L’Adroit”
in Malta, the embassy set up a
“defense and citizenship day” on
board. This session is the last stage of
the compulsory citizenship pathway for the French
youth aged 16 to 18 since the suspension of compulsory
military service in 1996.
After a guided tour of the French Navy vessel
“L’Adroit” calling in Malta, the young “conscripts”
received a citizenship training course by Major Patrice
LANOUE, retired from the French National Gendarmerie
and security officer for the French embassy in Malta. The
opportunity for our recruits to exchange opinions on
defence, the general principles of the French Republic,
values and symbols of the nation, risks and threats for
our country and its citizens, prevention and intervention
of defence. A brief presentation of the army, the navy, the air force and the gendarmerie has been done as
well as the various options to get involved both
within the reserve and various voluntary or civic
services.
At the end of the information session, the
French Ambassador Ms. Béatrice le Fraper du
Hellen and the captain presented each participant
with a certificate of participation, compulsory to
register to exams and competitive examinations
subject to control by the public authority.
See more :
About the Adroit : Ministère de la Défense
About Journée Défense et Citoyenneté
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The first incubator in the world specializing in tourism
It’s in Paris
It is the only initiative of its kind in the world: Paris is the first city to have opened an incubator
for tourism-related start-ups. The idea makes sense, given that the French capital is the world's
most popular tourist destination, with 32.3 million hotel arrivals in 2013. The number of foreign
visitors, meanwhile, rose by 8.2% in twelve months,
reaching 15.5 million in 2013. These figures alone justify
the creation of Welcome City Lab.
Located in the heart of Paris, the 1000m² site includes
an open-plan space for collaboration and conference rooms for
the thirty or so start-ups that have been selected. The
organizations behind this initiative include the City of Paris,
the Public Investment Bank (BPI), the Paris Convention and
Visitors Bureau, and private companies such as Aéroports de
Paris, Amadeus, Sodexo, Skyboard, Galeries Lafayette, Viparis
and Air France. The start-ups also enjoy the use of an
experimentation area and a monitoring unit. In addition, facilitated access to financing enables them to
gather the funds required to expand. The incubator even has a press service to allow small and mediumsized businesses to publicize themselves.
The entrepreneurs housed by Welcome City Lab offer a wide variety of products and services. Marins
d’eau douce, a hire company set up by two sailing enthusiasts, owns a fleet of 17 electric boats on which
tourists can sail without a licence along the 40km of navigable waterways of the Bassin de la Villette, the
Saint Martin canal and the Ourcq canal. The company Evanela, meanwhile, which already employs three
people, organizes visits to prestigious workshops of jewellers, designers and couturiers that are usually
closed to the public.
Some companies in the incubator are more traditional tour operators. Examples include Worldia,
which offers internet-users the opportunity to design a customized trip online, and Family Twist, which
markets luxury family trips to Paris, London and the châteaux of the Loire.
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The first incubator in the world specializing in tourism
It’s in Paris
The global success of smartphones has also encouraged certain Parisian entrepreneurs to launch
applications for passing tourists. With Mobilytrip, visitors can create a travel journal by adding photos,
videos and notes that can be shared day by day with their friends and family. SmArtapps, meanwhile,
offers audioguides and interactive guides, including interactive maps, a 360° panorama and synchronized
feeds for the capital’s main museums and monuments. The developers of Culture’Apps are promoting the
creation of the first web platform dedicated to designing applications for cultural sites. In the field of
gastronomy, thanks to the application Monrestoenpoche, it will soon be possible to order remotely from
many Parisian restaurants to avoid long queues.
Welcome City Lab has also opened its doors to collaborative tourism specialists. Bluenod, for example,
displays and organizes "communities" at connected events. This visual data representation service can be
used to map the participants at a congress, conference or trade fair. For those seeking culinary
authenticity, Cookening allows foreigners to be treated to a meal at someone’s home. Sejourning is a more
traditional platform on which property owners can rent out their home for short periods. Amateur filmmakers inspired by the capital can post their films about Paris online via the platform Crop the block.
“With the large number of enterprises in this incubator, we can share experiences and networks,” says the
founder of Evanela, Lucie Knappek. So long live Welcome City Lab!
Marco Rangi
www.welcomecitylab.com
https://www.facebook.com/WelcomeCityLab
http://mystartup.paris.fr/en/
At the time of the World show of Tourism, Welcome City Lab announces its new promotion of about
fifteen startups, selected within the framework of its call for candidate 2015.!
www.salons-du-tourisme.com/
http://int.rendezvousenfrance.com/en
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De Giotto à Caravage
L’exposition présente les grands noms
de la peinture italienne, du XIVe au XVIIe
siècle, redécouverts par Roberto Longhi (18901970), l’une des personnalités majeures de l’histoire
de l’art italien
Au Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris
Du 27 mars au 20 juillet
www.giotto-caravage.com/fr
www.giotto-caravage.com/en
From March 27 till July 20
In Jacquemart-André Museum, Paris
The exhibition presents the great names of Italian
painting from the 14th to the 17th century,
rediscovered by Roberto Longhi (1890-1970),
one of the major figures in the history
of Italian art.
«INTERNATIONAL SPRING ORCHESTRA FESTIVAL»
De nombreux artistes français seront présents
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Malta Community Chest Fund
Concert en partenariat
avec l’ambassade de France
Le pianiste Hubert Reynouard de l’Ensemble
Télémaque donnera un concert à la Présidence au
profit du Malta Community Chest Fund. Le 7 Avril
www.mccf.org.mt/
Concert in partnership
with the Embassy of France
The pianist Hubert Reynouard from Ensemble
Telemaque will perform for the Presidency in favor of
the Malta Community Chest Fund. On April 7
cette année encore au Teatru Manoel
dont l’Ensemble Télémaque
Du 7 au 11 avril. 2015
www.iso-festival.com
www.teatrumanoel.com.mt/
DAVID BOWIE IS
Après son immense succès londonien,
l’exposition arrive à la Philharmonie de
Paris récemment inaugurée.
3 mars au 31 mai 2015
http://philharmoniedeparis.fr/
Several french artists including
Ensemble Télémaque,
will once again perform in Teatru Manoel
From April 7 till April 11
120 ans de cinéma :
Gaumont, depuis que le cinéma existe
Des films de patrimoine restaurés ainsi que des films prochainement à
l’affiche seront présentés en avant-première. Et des ateliers ludiques et
originaux seront proposés à toute la famille pour découvrir les origines, les
techniques et les métiers du cinéma.
Au « centquatre » à Paris du 15 avril au 5 août
http://www.104.fr/
120 years of cinéma :
Gaumont, since the very beginning
Old films restored for the occasion and brand new
films to be presented in preview.
Fun and original workshops will also be offered to
the whole family to discover the origins,
techniques and professions of the film industry.
At the « centquatre » from April 15 till August 5.
http://www.104.fr/english/
DAVID BOWIE IS
After its tremendous success in London, the
exhibition is coming to Paris, in March 2015
at the brand new Philharmonie de Paris.
3 March – 31 May 2015
http://philharmoniedeparis.fr/en
Nous contacter / Contact us :
[email protected]
Sur internet / on the web :
www.ambafrance-mt.org
Retrouvez l’ambassade sur /
Follow the embassy on :
Facebook
And
Twitter
Éditeur : Ambassade de France à Malte
Directeur de publication : Béatrice le Fraper du Hellen
Rédacteur en chef : Frédéric Depetris
Auteurs : Tom Tambaktis – Alice Maumont - Alexander Zammit
Secrétaire de rédaction : Laurent Fontayne
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