French Carnival in the Eastern Cape

The Keiskamma Art Project has exhibited the influence of French art on its own projects, such as the Keiskamma Tapestry and the Keiskamma Guernica. In French Carnival, artists from the Keiskamma Art Project depict the fantastic world of animals and nature from Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals.

In their synthesis of classical and African sounds, young musicians of the Keiskamma Music Academy will perform selections from this work on recorders, orchestral and indigenous instruments. Works by other French composers will feature, including arrangements of Maurice Ravel's Ma Mère l'Oye.

France-South Africa collaboration

A multifaceted bilateral collaboration between France and South Africa - the French Season in South Africa - was formalised last year by the French and South African heads of states. It was launched this July, and in November the Eastern Cape makes its unique contribution.

The France-South Africa Seasons 2012 & 2013 is an initiative conceived and facilitated by both governments to give the people of both countries an opportunity to understand each other better through cultural, scientific, sport, education and business engagement. The seasons comprise more than 100 exhibitions, performances, film screenings, literary events, workshops, conferences and round tables.

Performances

• East London: 17 November. Miriam Makeba Centre for Performing Arts. 7.30pm.Tickets: R50 at the door
  
• Port Alfred: 18 November. Port Alfred Presbyterian Church. 3pm. Tickets: R50 at the door or in advance at Kowie News Agency
  
• Hamburg: 23 November. Historic Old Hall. 4pm. Tickets by donation at the door
  
• Port Elizabeth: 24 November. Main Auditorium, South Campus NMMU. 7.30pm. Tickets: R50 at the door

For information or tickets, go to email [[music@keiskamma.org or tel: +27 (0)82 664 1190/073 914 5227.

Tickets for the Port Alfred concert will be available at Kowie News Agency, Port Alfred in advance. Tel: Anna +27 (0)46 624 2036.