For several years, Melun Val de Seine, in Seine-et-Marne, has been his home celebration 100% dedicated to India. First located in Mée-sur-Seine, the organizing association now focuses on Melun. He at the stopover What will happen? 9^e editing.

“One of”

That was in 2002 Vincent Appadourai creating with his family the association French-Indian cultural circle. “We didn't want to just be community-based, but we wanted to introduce this culture, especially through festivals,” he recalled.

If there are already Indian-themed events in the local area, then it is the association that presents real cultural events, festivals in the form of trade fairs, throughout the region. weekend, Saturday 13 April and Sunday 14 April.

“We want moments together exhibitorsfrom dance onstage, literature, or even read to the kids. This free festival unique in its kind, as we discovered handycrafts, welfare, statues, paintings and even dances that are uniquely Indian,” assures Vincent Appadourai. For the second edition, the French Ambassador to India, a native of Mée-sur-Seine, sent a letter of congratulations on the festival, a mark of appreciation for its organizers.

Discovery center

Several discovery centers are planned. “This will be something new for us: implementationa cinema center. “We have planned the presentation stages, from writing to presentation,” the organizers wrote. The godfather of the festival, Etienne Dubaille, was also an actor, producer and distributor of Indian films in France.

By his side will also be Mahina Khanumgodmother of Indian publishing, dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Bollywood and Odissi in Paris.

A center dedicated to mode will also be present, but in another form: “Usually we have fashion shows, but here we called in a tailor who revisited sari »

More broadly, visitors will be able to rely on Indian embroidery workshopecological mandalas or even games, puzzles and other aspects of Indian culture.

One of the important points, according to Vincent Appadourai, is the various discoveries that visitors can make such as the famous ones carom, a discipline similar to billiards. “In partnership with Fnac, we invite authors of works about India,” added Vincent Appadourai.

For culinary lovers

Lastly, for foodies, the chef Renaud Ramamourtyshow candidate top chef, will be present on Saturday. He will concoct dishes based on local productssuch as brie or poppy syrup, for a starter-main course-dessert menu priced at around €15.

Finally, everything will be enlivened with a live concert thanks to Usman Mohamed and his musician friends.

Meets on Saturday 13 April and Sunday 14 April at l'Escale, avenue de la 7^e American Armored Division, at Melun. FREE ADMISSION. Information on 07 62 25 36 55.

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