Bombaysers from Lille

30 octobre 2006

(C) Ceraulen - 2006

Dear all,

Pleased to come back to Paris and had the opportunity to enjoy a short week-end in my hometown near Lille, in North of France. A great event takes place until January 14th, 2007 and I really enjoyed walking along Lille city to discover exhibition linked to India, Elephants Rambla, Bombay Station.

Indeed, two years after the success of Lille 2004 where we could discover a Chinese Tea House in front of the Commerce & Industry Chamber, advertising lights in Faidherbe Street, the main street of the city, now Lille celebrates India, the future Asian Giant and its culture, modernity and traditions.

Let us discover together some extracts of the official website of the event: www.lille3000.com

BOMBAYSERS DE LILLE > PRESENTATION
lille3000 in 2006 > Destination India!
The multiple facets of India - at the crossroads of art and modernity - represent the heart of the first edition of lille3000. We will be able to enjoy metamorphoses in the city, artists’ installations, exhibitions, cinema, performances and parades, tastes of Bangalore, Bombay (Mumbai), Brick Lane… and Finland.
Another recurrent theme of lille3000 is the avant-garde, with visions of the future interlinking with the Indian events. Examples include Les modernités recyclées, La Maison de l’Energie Vitale and the Futurotextiles exhibition, where innovation and technology come together in interaction with contemporary art.

OPENING CELEBRATION (shown on TV)
14 OCTOBER 2006 starts at 19.30
La Parade (Opening Parade) > Lille city centre

Switch on to India all night long, starting from seven-thirty in the evening! As a gateway to India and three months of special events, the opening Parade will be the first chance to discover the cultural vibrancy of this multi-coloured continent. Bollywood will meet the festive traditions of the Nord-Pas de Calais region of France.

Along the Ramblas of Lille city centre, join in with thousands of dancers, musicians, falleros, plus the famous giants from the region and India, in a great festive beginning to the Bombaysers de Lille event.
Inspired by Diwali, “the Festival of Lights”, the Parade is an invitation to a joyous celebration of the meeting of the cultures of the north of France and India. Starting at the Lille Flandres train station, Nitin Desai’s elephants provide the decor for the wanderings of Indian giants, giants from Flanders and the beautiful Fallas. Whilst evoking Lille’s Spanish heritage, the Fallas will wear Indian colours to recall figures of Shiva and Vishnu mythology. Marching bands from Rajasthan, joined by brass bands from the north of France, will be accompanied by hundreds of dancers coached by José Montalvo. Dancers and visitors will join together in enjoying a great evening, in celebration of the cultures of India and the North of France.
Later on, Indian DJs positioned in different points across the city centre of Lille will keep the street party hot and frenzied far into the night.

Diwali, The Festival of Lights

Among the many festivals in India, Diwali is by far the most important. Each year, over a period of five days around the time of the “black moon”, the noise of fireworks announces these much-loved celebrations. People offer gifts, sweets and jewellery. Mango leaves decorate doorways, frescos made from coloured rice powder are laid out on the floor to welcome guests to the home, and thousands of lamps illuminating the streets contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Let us introduce you some pictures I took this week-end: