More than 40 events lined up

FROM art to food, museum exhibitions and science trips, the French are serious about introducing their culture to Singapore, and discovering the parallels between the two countries' pursuits in areas beyond arts.

Even though the agreement signed in 2009 between France and Singapore specifically promotes bilateral cooperation and cultural initiatives, with many events involving French artists or professionals in Singapore - 140 in 2015 for example - this "intense partnership was not visible enough", says Benjamin Dubertret, Ambassador of France to Singapore.

Hence, the revival of Voilah! French Festival in Singapore last year, which Mr Dubertret believes to be the one and only multidisciplinary foreign festival here. As the festival celebrated SG50 last year, it saw 275,000 participants in seven weeks for more than 40 events.