With more than 100 events from December 2009 to February 2010 across India and featuring close to 250 artosts, designers, researchers and etrepreneurs, the Bonjour India festival is France’s most significant rendez-vous with India.

From New-Delhi to Mumbai, Kolkata to chennai, moving on to Hyderabad, Bangalore and thereon to other places, more than eighteen Indian cities will usher in a host of events. Exhibitions, concerts, literary and cinematographic events, artistic meets, debates and conferences, economic and scientific exchanges, will be

organized over a period of three months by Cultures France and Embassy of France in India. With the support of both governments, regional communities

and French and Indian companies, this event will Celebrate the 200 year old Indo-French friendship.

Inauguration

Mr. Pierre Fournier, Consul General of France

Mrs. M.Kausalya Devi, Honorary Consul of France

Mr. Sripathi, Chief Secretary

Hip-Hop, Flamenco and Contemporary Dance

« TERRAIN VAGUE » KÄFIG COMPANY

9999thththth and 10and 10and 10and 10thththth Dec 2009 7.30pmDec 2009 7.30pmDec 2009 7.30pmDec 2009 7.30pm

Sir Mutha Venkata Subbarao Hall

Lady Andal School

One of the most prominent companies of French hip-hop! (Marion Carriau, Derradji Bounechada, Mohamed Rouabah, David Rodrigues, Mickael Arnaud, Jennifer Suire, Rémi Autechaud, Abdelkader Belmoktar, Mourad Merzouki,

Benjamin Lebreton, Jonnathan Girard, Cécile Robin).

The cultural diversity of France is put in evidence with this show which mingles

flamenco not only with contemporary dance but also with circus art forms

THE SHOW “Terrain Vague”THE SHOW “Terrain Vague”THE SHOW “Terrain Vague”THE SHOW “Terrain Vague” In January 2006 Terrain Vague (‘vacant lot’) was created in the Maison de la Danse of Lyon. This show revisits a world dear to the choreographer: the circus. Hip-hop dancers and artists originating from theatre and circus share the stage. Terrain Vague, a neglected and at once an open space, available where everything can happen… “For creating my show, I left one place: the vacant lot (…) this type of place where each one can come in complete freedom, build, destroy, play and create. A place of passages, encounters, lives…Considered usually as a “no place” in an urban landscape divided and concentrated, where the feeling of suffocation dominates, the terrain vague is also for me a bubble of air, (...) a place of all the possibilities. (…). The discrepancy with reality is voluntary. The precariousness of life in this type of place is evident but it is also about the strength of relations that are born in these places and of which I want to speak in the show.” Mourad MERZOUKI

CHOREOGRAPHY Mourad MERZOUKICHOREOGRAPHY Mourad MERZOUKICHOREOGRAPHY Mourad MERZOUKICHOREOGRAPHY Mourad MERZOUKI Born in Lyon in 1973, of Kabyle origin, Mourad Merzouki started off with martial arts and circus arts at the age of seven. At fifteen, his exposure to the hip-hop culture led him to the world of dance. In 1994, the company presented Athina, at the time of the Biennial of Dance of Lyon, a true success, which succeeded in transposing hip-hop from the streets to the stage, without making it loose its true identity. A journey took him to the refugee camps in Croatia, during the war. He experienced that dance could be a strong means of communication in difficult and extreme circumstances. Since 1996, Mourad Merzouki has not ceased revitalizing the language of hip-hop with a great choreographic, scenographic and aesthetic diversity. THE KÄFIG COMPANYTHE KÄFIG COMPANYTHE KÄFIG COMPANYTHE KÄFIG COMPANY Käfig, which means cage in German and Arabic, is also the title of the first item that the choreographer presented at the “Rencontres urbaines de la Villette” during which he got tremendous recognition from the public and professionals. In 1998 the Company shone with Récital, a mind-blowing meeting of hiphop with the concerto classique which led to a three year world tour. This tour gave him the opportunity to meet people who helped him put together other projects. The New York dancer Klown joined the Company following the United-States tour. The year 2003, was also the year of creation, at the Maison de la Danse of Lyon of Corps est graphique. In 2004, Mourad Merzouki worked alongside Claudia Stavisky for the direction of the play La Cuisine d’Arnold Wesker. www.kafig.com

Press ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress Release

The Hindu, Thursday 10 Dec, 2009The Hindu, Thursday 10 Dec, 2009The Hindu, Thursday 10 Dec, 2009The Hindu, Thursday 10 Dec, 2009

The Times of India, Thursday 10 Dec 2009The Times of India, Thursday 10 Dec 2009The Times of India, Thursday 10 Dec 2009The Times of India, Thursday 10 Dec 2009

Chennai Times, Thursday 10 Dec 2009Chennai Times, Thursday 10 Dec 2009Chennai Times, Thursday 10 Dec 2009Chennai Times, Thursday 10 Dec 2009

Alternatively you can contact AFM for all information.

CONTACT AFM 2827 9803/2827 1477

www.af-madras.org

A new circus showA new circus showA new circus showA new circus show

«Plan B»

17171717thththth and 18and 18and 18and 18thththth Dec 2009Dec 2009Dec 2009Dec 2009 7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm7.30pm

Sir Mutha Venkata Subbarao Hall Lady Andal School

The shows are open to the general public.

Contact AFM for invitations

Children below 8 years are not allowed

Please be seated by 7.15pm

Ms. Anita Ratnam has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest for

this evening

Four acrobats sliding on a mobile plane (inclined, horizontal, vertical), a few white balls somehow suspended in mid-air, a flurry of lights and music: this is «Plan B» for you, a show of Compagnie 111 directed by the New-Yorker Phil Soltanoff, combining the best of circus, theatre and video art. From an imaginative renewal of the experience of space and the laws of gravity, gradually emerges a poetic discourse. In «Plan B», dream and farce unfold in a new poetics of space.

Artistic movements of the 20’s such as constructivism or the Bauhaus have greatly influenced the creations of Compagnie 111. Other artistic forms present on stage, namely lights, sound, live and electronic music, video, dance, design, magic and shadow play, are all laced into one unique creation.

«Plan B» is not only full of creativity, humour and poetry, but also represents a mindboggling example of technical perfection. Their mastery of the circus arts leads the four men to defy the universal laws of space and gravity. What remains is slow motion, impetus, buoyancy.

The AF Jazz Club and the Taj Connemera bring you an evening of Jazz, by three The AF Jazz Club and the Taj Connemera bring you an evening of Jazz, by three The AF Jazz Club and the Taj Connemera bring you an evening of Jazz, by three The AF Jazz Club and the Taj Connemera bring you an evening of Jazz, by three talented young mudicians.talented young mudicians.talented young mudicians.talented young mudicians.

« The Sharik Hasan Paris Trio»

11th

Dec 2009 7.30pm

Taj Connemara Ballroom

The Sharik Hasan Paris TrioThe Sharik Hasan Paris TrioThe Sharik Hasan Paris TrioThe Sharik Hasan Paris Trio is an Indo-French group of three young musicians from diverse backgrounds who got together in Paris in 2008 searching for common musical vision. Their unique compositions are the result of combining different influences such as classical, hip-hop, rock and jazz while heavily rooted in improvisation. This trio will leave you with a lasting impression of what 21st century improvises music is to come.

Sharik HasanSharik HasanSharik HasanSharik Hasan was born in 1984. He formaly began studying classical piano at the age of 5 in Boston. He studied then in Bangalore, London, Paris and New York.

Gael PetrinaGael PetrinaGael PetrinaGael Petrina born in Equador picked up the electric bass guitar in Los Angeles at the age of 12. At the age of 15 he discovered jazz and plays since with numerous bands.

Thibault PierrardThibault PierrardThibault PierrardThibault Pierrard, Drummer, holds a university degree in musicology from La

Sorbone University and studied in a jazz school. He has shared the stage of many jazz bands since.

Sharik HasanSharik HasanSharik HasanSharik Hasan was born in 1984. He formally began studying classical piano at the age of five, studying at the Longy School of Music in

Boston under the tutelage of renowned Russian concert pianist Ludmilla Lifson, and later at the Bangalore School of Music. At sixteen, having finished the

curricula of the Royal School of Music, London and Trinity School of Music, Cambridge, he went to the United States to attend the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music. This was the first turning point to take place in his musical career, as he was instantly drawn to the new, dynamic sounds of jazz. He was acquainted with and taught by musicians such as Dave Holland, Eddie Gomez, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz and Joe Lovano. On returning to India he began performing extensively across the country with musicians from different styles, including jazz, funk, blues, fusion, Latin and Indian classical.

In 2007 Sharik moved to Paris to study at the Bill Evans Piano Academy. Here the young pianist integrated quickly into the International jazz scene, playing concerts in venues and festivals in Paris and in the south of France. He had the opportunity to study with some of his idols and to play with the legends he had listened to on CDs for years such as Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Werner, Tom Harrell, Dave Kikoski, Brian Blade, Bill Carrothers, Rick Margitza, Leon Parker,

Robert Glasper, Chris Dave, and Donald Brown among others. Currently, he is a part of several different groups and projects on the Paris jazz scene including his

own quartet for which he has been composing extensively.

In July and August of 2008 Sharik toured India with his trio consisting of two of

India’s most reputed musicians: Adrian D’Souza (drums) and Karl Peters (bass). The music included original compositions as well as fresh arrangements and interpretations from the standard jazz repertoire. A musical set, that was very inspired, was offered to a fascinated audience wherever they played.

Born in Equador in 1985, Gael Petrina, Gael Petrina, Gael Petrina, Gael Petrina picked up the electrical bass guitar in Los Angeles, California at the age of 12 after numerous years of classical training on flute. At 15, he discovered jazz and the up-right bass whilst already playing in several rockbands and performing in legendary clubs as the Whisky-A-Go-Go and the Martini Lounge on the sunset strip. At 16 years of age, Gael moved to West

London, England and obtained his grade 5 theory and grade 8 double bass certificates at the Guildhall Germany with The East Berkshire Jazz Big and the

Berkshire Symphony Orchestra. During this time Gael played in several London, Brighton and Reading based projects ranging from jazz, rock, hip-hop and electronic. In addition, he became the resident up-right bass player for the Lion and Lobster Jazz Club with Terry Seabrook (former Uk pianist for Chet Baker).

In 2005, Gael decided to enhance his jazz skills with bass mentor Peter Giron and moved to Paris to study at the American Scholl of Modern Music. The following

year was filled with concerts in and outside of Paris, with a number of diverse projects ranging from small jazz ensembles to full symphonic orchestras. He also performed in the Jazzy Colors festival with the Ludmila Stefanikova Quartet at the famous Parisian recital hall, la Salle Cortot in 2006. For a 9 month period, Gael resided at the Cameleon Jazz Club in the heart of the Latin Quartet.

In 2007, on being invited to the North Sea Jazz Festival, he had the opportunity to share the stage with Joshua Redman, Antonio Sanchez, Willy Joe Jones and

Randy Brecker. The following summer/fall included even more international

performances along the coast of California with several indie rock bands, Mexico with the Petrina Jazz Project and Slovakia with the Lightning Bug Orchestra.

Thibault PerriardThibault PerriardThibault PerriardThibault Perriard, drummer born in 1984 received the CFEM diploma in Classical percussion in the Conservatoire de Fontainebleau in May 2000. In 2004, he obtained a degree in musicology (ethnomusicology) with honors at the Sorbonne Paris 4, and a Diplome d’Etudes Musicales in jazz and music theory from National School of Music (ENM) of Noisiel. He also obtained a CFEM Classical Analysis. He has won several jazz awards such as the Versailles Jazz Festival, St Germain Jazz, Jazz in Vannes, Jazz Tours, Jazz in Vienna.

He also received the first prize of the SONOR in 1998, and a special Jury award at the 2007 Sunside Perceptual with the Oxyd quintet.

He has shared the stage with Magic Malik, Marc Ducret, Frederic Favard, Cugny Laurent, Hervé Sellin, Pierre-Olivier Gauvin, Laurent Ganzini, Marcus Miller,…

Currently in 2nd year at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, he works in various projects such as Oxyd or Word Out Trio, that you can listen in various Parisians clubs. Additionally, he composes, arranges and leads to different formations ranging from solo piano to big band.

http://www.myspace.com/sharikhasan

Entry is by invite only

CONTACT AFM 2827 9803/2827 1477

www.af-madras.org

We would like to thank Musée Musical for their support in

offering us the piano.

BERNARD FAUCON

Photography Exhibition

True Fiction

January 4January 4January 4January 4thththth to 18to 18to 18to 18thththth , 2010, 2010, 2010, 2010

The ApparThe ApparThe ApparThe Apparao Galleryao Galleryao Galleryao Gallery

Alliance Française of Madras GalleryAlliance Française of Madras GalleryAlliance Française of Madras GalleryAlliance Française of Madras Gallery

The exhibition is open to the public from the evening of the 4th

of January 2010

from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Bernard Faucon is one of the most celebrated photographers of the twentieth Bernard Faucon is one of the most celebrated photographers of the twentieth Bernard Faucon is one of the most celebrated photographers of the twentieth Bernard Faucon is one of the most celebrated photographers of the twentieth century.His photographiccentury.His photographiccentury.His photographiccentury.His photographic career spans for nearly two decades.career spans for nearly two decades.career spans for nearly two decades.career spans for nearly two decades.

One of the first artists to explore the universe of staged photography- the photographic ‘mise en scene’, Faucon was the recipient of the French National

Prize for Photography in 1989.

Born in 1950, Faucon Born in 1950, Faucon Born in 1950, Faucon Born in 1950, Faucon created hicreated hicreated hicreated his photographic works photographic works photographic works photographic work between between between between 1976 and 19951976 and 19951976 and 19951976 and 1995. It . It . It . It

is one of the most original collections of works of the late 20th century. Widely is one of the most original collections of works of the late 20th century. Widely is one of the most original collections of works of the late 20th century. Widely is one of the most original collections of works of the late 20th century. Widely exhibited, reproduced, borrowed and collected, this body of work remains, exhibited, reproduced, borrowed and collected, this body of work remains, exhibited, reproduced, borrowed and collected, this body of work remains, exhibited, reproduced, borrowed and collected, this body of work remains, paradoxically, little known, and its place in contempoparadoxically, little known, and its place in contempoparadoxically, little known, and its place in contempoparadoxically, little known, and its place in contemporary creation is still to be rary creation is still to be rary creation is still to be rary creation is still to be well defined.well defined.well defined.well defined.

This is due as much to its uniqueness, being a poetic, metaphysical, highly personal body of work, as to the diversity of groups that it has inspired: from the most orthodox in the photographic world to avant-garde artists, as well as novelists, theatre directors, psychoanalysts and even Japanese fashion designers!

““““The wish to face, once at least, the body only, The wish to face, once at least, the body only, The wish to face, once at least, the body only, The wish to face, once at least, the body only, beautybeautybeautybeauty withoutwithoutwithoutwithout artifice. The wish artifice. The wish artifice. The wish artifice. The wish to answer in my own way the question of the living: since the livinto answer in my own way the question of the living: since the livinto answer in my own way the question of the living: since the livinto answer in my own way the question of the living: since the living cannot be g cannot be g cannot be g cannot be photographed, we will try and photograph the gods!” Bernard Fauconphotographed, we will try and photograph the gods!” Bernard Fauconphotographed, we will try and photograph the gods!” Bernard Fauconphotographed, we will try and photograph the gods!” Bernard Faucon

Over the past 25 years, Bernard Faucon has shown extensively his photographs through 250 solo exhibitions across the globe.

True Fiction is an eclectic journey through the first five series of Faucon’s works; Les Grandes Vacances (Summer Holidays), Evolution Probable du Temps (The Probable Evolution of Time), Les Chambres d’Amour (Chambers of Love), Les Chambres d’Or ( The Golden Chambers) and Les Idoles et les Sacrifices.

This is one of the first exhibitions where Faucon, who has from the beginning remained loyal to an old photographic process named Fresson Printing, now

exhibits his images in the form of large format digital print

Press ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress Release

Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle, WednesdWednesdWednesdWednesday 30ay 30ay 30ay 30thththth Dec 2009Dec 2009Dec 2009Dec 2009

Madras Musings,Madras Musings,Madras Musings,Madras Musings, January 1January 1January 1January 1----15 201015 201015 201015 2010

Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle, Saturday 2Saturday 2Saturday 2Saturday 2ndndndnd Jan 2010Jan 2010Jan 2010Jan 2010

MayakkamMayakkamMayakkamMayakkam----OxymoreOxymoreOxymoreOxymore

Sangeetha Ishvaran, Cyrille Brissot and Marko 93Sangeetha Ishvaran, Cyrille Brissot and Marko 93Sangeetha Ishvaran, Cyrille Brissot and Marko 93Sangeetha Ishvaran, Cyrille Brissot and Marko 93

Tue 12Tue 12Tue 12Tue 12thththth Jan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pm

Museum TheatreMuseum TheatreMuseum TheatreMuseum Theatre

MayakkamMayakkamMayakkamMayakkam----Oxymore is an artistic colOxymore is an artistic colOxymore is an artistic colOxymore is an artistic collaboration between France and India that laboration between France and India that laboration between France and India that laboration between France and India that challenges the boundaries challenges the boundaries challenges the boundaries challenges the boundaries between art, technology and culture,between art, technology and culture,between art, technology and culture,between art, technology and culture, in which new in which new in which new in which new technologies and traditions meet, combining dance, painting and music.technologies and traditions meet, combining dance, painting and music.technologies and traditions meet, combining dance, painting and music.technologies and traditions meet, combining dance, painting and music.

There are three disciplines carried through by three artists: Sangeeta Isvaran, Bharatanatyam dancer and choreographer, Cyrille Brissot computer musician and researcher at IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordi- nation Acoustique/Musique), specialised in translating recorded gestures into music; and Marko-93 a graffiti artist pioneer in the development of light-painting in real time video.

The unifying thread here is movement, whether it be coded or abstract, each one uses it in their own way: body expression, light or sound.

The artistic challenge of the project consists in blending very different artistic skills, where new technologies serve an ancestral art form, by blending them subtly to find points of convergence. Our aim is to create a seamless whole that takes the spectator for a journey that appeals to all their senses.

Sangeeta Sangeeta Sangeeta Sangeeta began her training of Bharatanatyam in 1980 at Abhinayasudha, the dance institution founded by PadmabhushanSmt. Kalanidhi Naraya. She has since then extended her fields of expertise to Nattuvangam, Kuchipudi, Kalaripayattu, Rabam Boran and Javanese and Balinese dance forms.

Sangeeta has more than one string to her bow, not only is she a perfectly skilled dancer, and fully proven choreographer, but she is also the author of many pu- blications, has been invited to give lectures in semi- nars around the world, and achieves important field work in the educational and social domain.

Sangeeta considers her art to serve the Human Being, not only in an aesthetic and cultural manner but in education or social issues, and even therapy to populations that are in great distress. She has carried through many projects around the world, more specifically in Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Byrma, France, Canada, United-States and Mexico.

« The aim of these projects is to use art as an efficient vector for social change, personal emancipation, and economic development. Dance, music, theatre give a voice to the ones who have been marginalized, excluded from our society»

Emblematic French graffiti artist, MarkoMarkoMarkoMarko---- 93939393 largely contributed to making urban arts enter the fine world of contemporary art.

He embraces hip hop in 1988, and is particularly attracted to graffiti- which is at the time strongly influenced by the American styles. In 1994 he starts incorporating abstract Arab calligraphy to his graffiti and tags. He carves his caps like calligraphers carve their calligraphy tools to get upstrokes and down strokes. A style he calls Kalligraffism and that he is now famous for.

1999 is a productive year for Marko, he discovers bodypainting (The Pillowbook de Peter Greenaway) and light-painting. These two approaches have in commun a particular way to deal with the medium, and new possibilities that flat 2 dimensional surfaces don’t allow.

«Light-painting allows me to make new and artificial atmospheres by creating environments for urban sceneries, portraits, objects, and sometimes all three at once. » - Marko

As soon as he begins working with the light painting technique, Marko feels the possibilities are endless, both from an artistic and technological point of view, he considers it’s the «painting of the future» In fact, Marko has opened the path to video light painting both by post production and in real time.

Born in Paris in 1972, Cyrille BrissotCyrille BrissotCyrille BrissotCyrille Brissot combines technical and artistic skills. Graduated from Arts et Métiers in acoustic engineering, he handles acoustic problems that come up in European Raves, works as a sound engineer at the Square in London, and teaches computerized music at the famous IRCAM Institute in Paris.

As a producer, he organizes the CoolOut events at the Elysées Montmartre and the Divan du Monde in Paris. He is also the President of the Protocole Multimédia that supports and publishes electronic music, still very poorly distributed in France.

Cyrille has also collaborated on very original projects as the Chopin à Nohant disc that reproduces the piano sounds of the Romantic period. He is regularly produced in concerts of improvised electronic music (Point Ephémère, Glaz’art, OPA withECCE, and in Berlin) and for the events around pour les soirées “Cinéma Muet En Concert” (translation: «Silent Film In Concert» ) in which he uses instruments of his own invention to create music in real time (l’Entrepôt).

In 2002 he starts working with French composer and pop singer Emilie Simon, on stage and in the studio. Cyrille concieves, builds and plays «controler instruments» (C.A.D.R.E, B.O.B.B.I, B.R.A.H.A.S) that allow him to recreate, live, the effects and data processing directly from the acoustic instruments and Emilie’s voice.

Considered as a specialist in gesture recording and it’s readability in music, Cyrille Brissot is regularly invited to conferences and seminars around the world (France, USA, Japan, Korea). We can quote the Semaine du son, les Ateliers du Forum de l’Ircam, Résonan- ces, les Rendez vous électroniques, ICMC, NIME... He is also interviewed on the subject by the press and radio media (KR magazine, France culture, France Inter).

In 2008 he was the laureate for the Villa Medicis «Hors Les Murs» for his project BarathaData on Bharatanatyam

«Using computers in music has opened a wide scope of possibilities that have until now been unexplored. But the audience doesn’t always realize the link between the person behind his computer and the electronic sounds that he hears. (...) That’s why I developed “new instruments” (user interfaces) that allow us to make the relation between the handling of the instrument and the music it generates. (..) the dancer’s expertise, the control of his/her body and movement enables me to explore in details the link that exists between the gesture and the recording, to go further in its definition in an objective manner, pushing it to an optimal control of a musical process by the gesture.» - Cyrille Brissot

“This partnership with Bonjour India is a step that reinf“This partnership with Bonjour India is a step that reinf“This partnership with Bonjour India is a step that reinf“This partnership with Bonjour India is a step that reinforces our commitment to orces our commitment to orces our commitment to orces our commitment to the Indian market. Michelin considers India as a strategic market and key pillar the Indian market. Michelin considers India as a strategic market and key pillar the Indian market. Michelin considers India as a strategic market and key pillar the Indian market. Michelin considers India as a strategic market and key pillar for its growth now and in the future. for its growth now and in the future. for its growth now and in the future. for its growth now and in the future.

Mayakkam Oxymore is a fusion of the traditional Tamil dance (Bharatha Mayakkam Oxymore is a fusion of the traditional Tamil dance (Bharatha Mayakkam Oxymore is a fusion of the traditional Tamil dance (Bharatha Mayakkam Oxymore is a fusion of the traditional Tamil dance (Bharatha Natyam) and modern technology. Through thNatyam) and modern technology. Through thNatyam) and modern technology. Through thNatyam) and modern technology. Through the Mayakkam Oxymore workshops e Mayakkam Oxymore workshops e Mayakkam Oxymore workshops e Mayakkam Oxymore workshops being organized in early January 2010 and the stage performance in Chennai on being organized in early January 2010 and the stage performance in Chennai on being organized in early January 2010 and the stage performance in Chennai on being organized in early January 2010 and the stage performance in Chennai on 12121212th th th th of January 2010, we in our small way will be able to reach out to school of January 2010, we in our small way will be able to reach out to school of January 2010, we in our small way will be able to reach out to school of January 2010, we in our small way will be able to reach out to school children and adults in underprivileged village communities in Tamil Nadchildren and adults in underprivileged village communities in Tamil Nadchildren and adults in underprivileged village communities in Tamil Nadchildren and adults in underprivileged village communities in Tamil Nadu to u to u to u to enable them to deal with gender issues and overcoming social stigma associated enable them to deal with gender issues and overcoming social stigma associated enable them to deal with gender issues and overcoming social stigma associated enable them to deal with gender issues and overcoming social stigma associated with girls performing on stage.”with girls performing on stage.”with girls performing on stage.”with girls performing on stage.” ---- Nicolas Beaumont, Managing Director Nicolas Beaumont, Managing Director Nicolas Beaumont, Managing Director Nicolas Beaumont, Managing Director ---- Michelin India Tamil Nadu Tyres Pvt. Ltd.Michelin India Tamil Nadu Tyres Pvt. Ltd.Michelin India Tamil Nadu Tyres Pvt. Ltd.Michelin India Tamil Nadu Tyres Pvt. Ltd.

With more than 110,857 employees and sales organizations in more than 170

countries (including India), Michelin is one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers. Dedicated to the improvement of better mobility, Michelin

designs, manufactures and sells tyres for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the US space shuttle, on 68 production sites in 19 countries throughout five continents. The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and

restaurant guides, maps and road atlases and offers better mobility support

services, on ViaMichelin.com. Research and innovation and development is being taken care of in technology centres in Europe, USA and Japan. ((((www.michelin.comwww.michelin.comwww.michelin.comwww.michelin.com))))

Museum Theatre, Government MuseumMuseum Theatre, Government MuseumMuseum Theatre, Government MuseumMuseum Theatre, Government Museum

Pantheon Road , EgmorePantheon Road , EgmorePantheon Road , EgmorePantheon Road , Egmore

ChennaiChennaiChennaiChennai----08080808

Please be seated by 7.15pmPlease be seated by 7.15pmPlease be seated by 7.15pmPlease be seated by 7.15pm

Entry by invitationsEntry by invitationsEntry by invitationsEntry by invitations

Contact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitations

Tel : 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel : 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel : 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel : 2827 9803/ 2827 1477

Press ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress Release

Chennai TimesChennai TimesChennai TimesChennai Times,,,, January 5, January 5, January 5, January 5, 2010201020102010

IndiIndiIndiIndian an an an Express,Express,Express,Express, JanuaryJanuaryJanuaryJanuary 1111, 2010, 2010, 2010, 2010

Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle,Deccan Chronicle, January 5, 2010January 5, 2010January 5, 2010January 5, 2010

The Hindu,The Hindu,The Hindu,The Hindu, January 4, 2010January 4, 2010January 4, 2010January 4, 2010

CHINA MOSESCHINA MOSESCHINA MOSESCHINA MOSES and Raphaël Lemonnier Trioand Raphaël Lemonnier Trioand Raphaël Lemonnier Trioand Raphaël Lemonnier Trio

Blues, Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop ConcertBlues, Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop ConcertBlues, Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop ConcertBlues, Jazz, Rock, Hip Hop Concert

Raphaël Lemonnier, pianoRaphaël Lemonnier, pianoRaphaël Lemonnier, pianoRaphaël Lemonnier, piano Fabien Marcos, Fabien Marcos, Fabien Marcos, Fabien Marcos, guitareguitareguitareguitare

JeanJeanJeanJean----Pierre Derouard, drumsPierre Derouard, drumsPierre Derouard, drumsPierre Derouard, drums

ThThThThu 14u 14u 14u 14thththth Jan, 2010Jan, 2010Jan, 2010Jan, 2010

at 7.30 pmat 7.30 pmat 7.30 pmat 7.30 pm

Ballroom, Taj CoromandelBallroom, Taj CoromandelBallroom, Taj CoromandelBallroom, Taj Coromandel ChennaiChennaiChennaiChennai

Entry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation only Please contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of Madras

Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477

An MTV Host, singer, author, songwriter and producer, China embodies the American idea of an entertainer: combining a soul repertoire in French and English with shades of Rock and Blues.

Daughter of Award winning Soul singer, Dee Dee Bridgewater, China’s magnetic presence on stage could be sensed; toned with her deep and

sensual voice. Responding to Raphaël on the piano, she now comes back to the roots

of Jazz with a tribute to Dinah Washington.

China and RaphaelChina and RaphaelChina and RaphaelChina and Raphael. It could never be said that China Moses and Raphael Lemonnier were fated to join forces on a project, given their rather different career paths. From her mother, the singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, she inherited the ability to work towards long-term goals. Her first single, Time, was released in 1996, whereupon her career took off thanks to her first video, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. This was followed by three albums: China (1997), On Tourne en Rond (2000) and Good lovin' (2004).

The career of pianist Raphael Lemonnier has been focused more on jazz. He made his debut with the Nimes Big Band. In 1997, he moved to New York. where he recorded his first disc, Raphael Lemonnier Trio. Upon returning to France, he studied musical notation and released the album Septet Jazz. In 2004, in partnership with Chris Gonzales, he mounted the show Dancing

It was Jazz that brought these artists together and the opportunity was provided by Camille, a prominent French songstress, who was performing at Paris's Cafe de la Danse. Invited by the singer to join her musicians on stage for two songs, Raphael, heard the voice of China, who at the time was one of Camille's backing vocalists and asked her to perform in Dancing. And from there, the rest was fate: They

happen to also have a mutual idol, Dinah Washington.

Web siteWeb siteWeb siteWeb site : : : : www.myspace.com/thisonesfordinah www.myspace.com/chinamoses

Contact AFM for all information.

CONTACT AFM 2827 9803/2827 1477 www.af-madras.org

TTTTHE GIRAFFES HE GIRAFFES HE GIRAFFES HE GIRAFFES ANIMAL OPERETTAANIMAL OPERETTAANIMAL OPERETTAANIMAL OPERETTA Compagnie OffCompagnie OffCompagnie OffCompagnie Off

Street Parade Operetta and CircusStreet Parade Operetta and CircusStreet Parade Operetta and CircusStreet Parade Operetta and Circus

As part ofAs part ofAs part ofAs part of

Sangamam FestivalSangamam FestivalSangamam FestivalSangamam Festival

Fri 15Fri 15Fri 15Fri 15thththth Jan 2010 Jan 2010 Jan 2010 Jan 2010 6.00 pm6.00 pm6.00 pm6.00 pm

Venkatnarayan Road, T. Nagar

The show is open to the general public

A herd of red giraffes is slowly, gracefully trotting along, balancing their high flexible necks. Lankily marching on, the silhouettes of the nonchalant giraffes glide over the avenues, their silhouettes detached onto the frontage of buildings

« Les Giraffes » is a street show, a monumental parade that mixes opera, circus burlesque and giant puppets theatre. The scenario evolves with each performance according to the site, audience and hour and the stories would go around a wedding, a divorce and a finale. Their heads flirt with stories as easily as with the people on the ground. Manipulated, articulated, disarticulated, inhabited by stilt-walkers both blind and invisible, the giraffes play the game and let themselves be tamed. The circus director hits his drum, crashes his cymbals and dreams of having his giraffes jump through circles of flames. His young wife, a gorgeous diva, vocalizes on and on, gathering around her in a lyrical taming the enamored giraffes. Madness- Love- Marriage?

On the ground, the circus clique tries and teases the senses, noses and papillae of the giraffes, as well as the audience’s. With a fit of clownishness and theatrical play, the band gets carried away inside the radiant storm passing through the city...

This amusing monumental parade mixing opera surely is not a spectacle to be missed.

Born in 1986, Compagnie Off started off with the creation of small outdoors spectacles. It has grown along the years while affirming an artistic research based on universal themes turned to fiction and the live staging of original locations. Compagnie Off is a Street Arts company, playing at handling universal themes: love, death, the elements, difference- in a dialogue with its area of performance: the city. Through sweat, fantasy and extravaganza, a carnal relationship is woven with the audience; an invisible urban factory. A subtle weaving between the location, the story and the audience. After prolonged journeys to Africa, the USA and India, The Director Philippe Fresion settled in Berlin in 1980 where he joined the Tempodrome alternative circus. His artistic line focused on an imaginary world filled with extravagance and burlesque. His passion for Opera lead him to explore the genre and its adaptation to the urban context through many creations.

“…but Compagnie Off’s incredible Giraffes have captivated our imagination the most, by evolving with surprising grace through the crowd. It was more than a simple exercise in puppetry: a love story, a

romance, a fantastic tale!”– Edinburgh Evening news

The Giraffes have reflected the very spirit of the festival, a mixture of

baroque and surrealism. The giraffes put their nose everywhere,

throughout an urban art that the actors seem to think is but a giant

circus ring. “ Le Midi Libre

For any information, contact the Alliance Française of Madras Tel : +91 44 28279803 / 28272477 www.af-madras.org

AWEKAWEKAWEKAWEK Blues Jazz ConcertBlues Jazz ConcertBlues Jazz ConcertBlues Jazz Concert

Bernard SellamBernard SellamBernard SellamBernard Sellam----vocalsvocalsvocalsvocals

Joel FerronJoel FerronJoel FerronJoel Ferron----bassbassbassbass

Olivier TrebelOlivier TrebelOlivier TrebelOlivier Trebel----drumsdrumsdrumsdrums

Stephane BertolinoStephane BertolinoStephane BertolinoStephane Bertolino----harmonicaharmonicaharmonicaharmonica

Sat, 16Sat, 16Sat, 16Sat, 16thththth January 2010January 2010January 2010January 2010 7:30 pm7:30 pm7:30 pm7:30 pm

Mowbrays HallMowbrays HallMowbrays HallMowbrays Hall Sheraton ParSheraton ParSheraton ParSheraton Park Hotel and Towersk Hotel and Towersk Hotel and Towersk Hotel and Towers

ChennaiChennaiChennaiChennai

Entry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation onlyEntry by invitation only Please contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of MadrasPlease contact the Alliance Française of Madras

Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Tel: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477

Following the Blues tradition of enacting the songs, Awek enchants with its popular music, open to improvisation and interaction with the public. The band shows just how important the Blues has become on the French music scene.

With 5 albums and 10 years’ experience behind them, spreading the good word of the little blue note, AWEK, have acquired a strength and maturity worthy of their peer on the other side of the Atlantic.

Their musical style is an explosive cocktail, a melting pot of groove and feelings, mingling classicism and originality passion and soberness, orthodoxy and personal impressions.

Dressed up to the nines, like hoodlums from downtown Chicago, Fabulous

Thunderbirds style or die-hard Mafiosi ready for a lead role in Quentin

Tarantino, Reservoir Dogs, it’s a treat for the ear-drums and the brain-cells to

see them on stage with their sensitive blues always on target.

Their reputation and experience have led the group to Austin, Texas where in April 2007 they recorded with Stuart Sullivan. Despite the omnipresence of the Chicago Blues feel, a touch of the West Coast Sound has opened up new avenues for the quartet. A little help from a few of Austin's musical luminaries such as Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, "Mr Blues Sax" himself and Nick Connely (Delbert McClinton, Fabulous Thunderbirds) on a number of tracks and "Burnin' Wire on South Lamar" can lay claim to being one of the best blues offerings in recent years.

Awek will be at the Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers from January 15. Awek will be at the Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers from January 15. Awek will be at the Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers from January 15. Awek will be at the Sheraton Park Hotel and Towers from January 15.

Please contact them for more information or interviews: +91 44 24994101 or Please contact them for more information or interviews: +91 44 24994101 or Please contact them for more information or interviews: +91 44 24994101 or Please contact them for more information or interviews: +91 44 24994101 or AFM:+91 044 28279803, +919840376375AFM:+91 044 28279803, +919840376375AFM:+91 044 28279803, +919840376375AFM:+91 044 28279803, +919840376375

www.af-madras.org

www.awekblues.com

LITERATURELITERATURELITERATURELITERATURE DIALOGUES AND DEBATESDIALOGUES AND DEBATESDIALOGUES AND DEBATESDIALOGUES AND DEBATES

A FRENCH FESTIVAL OF LETTERSA FRENCH FESTIVAL OF LETTERSA FRENCH FESTIVAL OF LETTERSA FRENCH FESTIVAL OF LETTERS WithWithWithWith

PRAKRITI FOUNDATIONPRAKRITI FOUNDATIONPRAKRITI FOUNDATIONPRAKRITI FOUNDATION

Francois Roca Francois Roca Francois Roca Francois Roca Marion Bataille Marion Bataille Marion Bataille Marion Bataille Veronique Tadjo Veronique Tadjo Veronique Tadjo Veronique Tadjo Alain Mabanckou Alain Mabanckou Alain Mabanckou Alain Mabanckou

Sun, 17Sun, 17Sun, 17Sun, 17 Jan to Thu 21 Jan 2010Jan to Thu 21 Jan 2010Jan to Thu 21 Jan 2010Jan to Thu 21 Jan 2010 Opening Tue 19Opening Tue 19Opening Tue 19Opening Tue 19tttthhhh Jan 10.30 amJan 10.30 amJan 10.30 amJan 10.30 am At The Courtyard by MarriotAt The Courtyard by MarriotAt The Courtyard by MarriotAt The Courtyard by Marriot

All Are InvitedAll Are InvitedAll Are InvitedAll Are Invited

For more information contact AFMFor more information contact AFMFor more information contact AFMFor more information contact AFM Tel : 91 044 28279803, +919840376375Tel : 91 044 28279803, +919840376375Tel : 91 044 28279803, +919840376375Tel : 91 044 28279803, +919840376375

Readings and Interactions with eminent French Language authors and their Indian counterparts. This festival will delight Chennai

Alain MabanckouAlain MabanckouAlain MabanckouAlain Mabanckou is a Congolese writer born in 1966 in Congo-Brazaville. He has written novels and poetries which have won many prizes. He resides in the USA where he is teaching literature at UCLA. He received the Prix Littéraire de l’Afrique noire in 1998 for his first novel Bleu-Blanc-Rouge. Verre cassé was awarded the Prix des Cinq Continents de la Francophonie in 2005 and Mémoires de porc-épic received the Renaudot Prize in 2006.

François RocaFrançois RocaFrançois RocaFrançois Roca is a French illustrator born in Lyon in 1971. His passion for painting first pushed him to exhibit oil painting portraits. In 1996, he started to illustrate children books. The same year, he published the album La Reine des fourmis a disparu.

He is now considered as one of the most important French illustrators for children’s books and has published more than twenty one illustrations with his friend Fred BernardFred BernardFred BernardFred Bernard.

Véronique TadjoVéronique TadjoVéronique TadjoVéronique Tadjo is an Ivorian poet and novelist born in 1955 in Paris. She

completed her BA degree at the Abidjan University and her doctorate at the Sorbonne University. She received the Literary Prize from the Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique in 1983 and the UNICEF Prize in 1993. She received the Grand prix littéraire d’Afrique Noire in 2005.

Marion BatailleMarion BatailleMarion BatailleMarion Bataille is a French illustrator and photographer who was born in 1963. She studied Fine Art and Graphic Design in Paris and started to work as a graphic

designer for many newspapers and publishing houses such as Le Monde, Centre Pompidou or Gallimard. She wrote many books for children and her latest one, ABC3D was published in USA, UK, Italy, Germany, Netherland, Spain, Japan, Israel and in India by Tara Books, and all the best French Publishers. ABC3D is her first book published in the U.K.

Marion Bataille is in residence in Chennai with Tara Books from the Marion Bataille is in residence in Chennai with Tara Books from the Marion Bataille is in residence in Chennai with Tara Books from the Marion Bataille is in residence in Chennai with Tara Books from the 10101010thththth to the 17to the 17to the 17to the 17thththth of January to prepare a new publication.of January to prepare a new publication.of January to prepare a new publication.of January to prepare a new publication.

ABC3D is an interactive pop-up book that brings the 3rd dimension to the alphabet It would appeal to creative folk of all kinds - architects, artists, graphic designers,

typographers, craftspeople, teachers, parents, children and ordinary book lovers.

Watch each letter pop-up and leap off the page into another dimension in this deceptively simple, yet witty and sophisticated work of art. ABC3D stretches the limits of what a book could be, for every kind of reader – from the smallest finger to the oldest eye.

ABC3D is part of Tara's French Focus series ABC3D is part of Tara's French Focus series ABC3D is part of Tara's French Focus series ABC3D is part of Tara's French Focus series –––– in association with tin association with tin association with tin association with the French he French he French he French Embassy in India Embassy in India Embassy in India Embassy in India –––– bringing the most daring and creative visual books from bringing the most daring and creative visual books from bringing the most daring and creative visual books from bringing the most daring and creative visual books from France to the Indian reader.France to the Indian reader.France to the Indian reader.France to the Indian reader.

Program

1) Sun 17171717thththth January January January January

Time: 7.00 pm Full Circle Bookshop "Chamiers"""" New # 85, Chamiers road,

R A Puram, Chennai 600 028

Off: 044-4203 0733/ 4203 6833

Marion Bataille – Tara Books

Gita Wolf and Marion Bataille introduce the new collaboration regarding

ABC3D an interactive pop-up book that brings the 3rd dimension to the alphabet

2) Mon 18th January) Mon 18th January) Mon 18th January) Mon 18th January

Time: 5.00 pm

Oxford Bookstore or Landmark Bookstore ( to be confirmed )

Tulika Publishers- Mr.Francois Roca

3) Tue 193) Tue 193) Tue 193) Tue 19 thththth January January January January

Time: 10.30 am- Press conference at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel ( Hotel partner)

11.00am a seminar with the 3 writers3 writers3 writers3 writers: we can invite writers, students from various

city colleges and literary critics.

12.30 pm: Lecture of 3 writers

1.00pm: Lunch

Time: 5.00 pm: Lecture

Chandralekha’s Spaces – Ms.Véronique Tadjo

4) Wed 204) Wed 204) Wed 204) Wed 20thththth January January January January

Time: 3.00 pm

Madras University with Ms.Chitra Krishnan and Stella Maris College – Mr.Alain Mabanckou

5) Thu 215) Thu 215) Thu 215) Thu 21stststst January January January January

Time :10.00 am – 11.00 am : Alain Mabanckou and Véronique Tadjo meeting with CREA publisher.

Alliance Française of Madras

Time 11.00am – 12.30 am

Meeting. Lecture and Debate with 20 Tamil authors

12.30 am: Lunch

www.af-madras.org

MARION BAGLANMARION BAGLANMARION BAGLANMARION BAGLAN

Soprano coloratura

FRANÇOISFRANÇOISFRANÇOISFRANÇOIS----MARIE JUSKOWIAKMARIE JUSKOWIAKMARIE JUSKOWIAKMARIE JUSKOWIAK

Pianist

Lyric Opera ConcertLyric Opera ConcertLyric Opera ConcertLyric Opera Concert

Mon 18Mon 18Mon 18Mon 18thththth Jan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pmJan 2010 at 7.30pm

The Music AcademyThe Music AcademyThe Music AcademyThe Music Academy

After her first recitals within the chorus of the Tours Opera in 1998, the soprano singer Marion Baglan moved toward a soloist career devoted for the most part to the opera. Along with the pianist François Juskowiak, she will give us a taste of French operas, with much personality, embodying extravert characters from Offenbach plays (Orphée aux Enfers, Tromb-al-Cazar,...) as well as Mozart’s cruel Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute).

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology, Marion BAGLAN graduated from the Tours Conservatory; she, then, attended several other conservatories in Paris. From this time onwards, she has trained with professional singer mezzo-soprano Bernadette Antoine.

After her first recitals within the chorus of the Tours Opera in 1998, Marion Baglan moved toward a soloist carrier devoted for the most part to the opera: with much personality, she embodied extravert characters from Offenbach plays (Orphée aux Enfers, Tromb-al-Cazar,...) as well as Mozart’s crual Queen of the Night (The Magic Flute).

Yet again, accompanied on the piano or by the orchestra, she went on performing regularly within the recital of Versailles in Marrakech (Petit Trianon) or in Pakistan (on tour in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi), in Paris and of course in the other regions of France.

In 2007, Marion Baglan became Offenbach’s Manuelita from La Périchole at the Opéra-Comique (staging directed by Jérôme Savary), before taking on the lead in Rêve de valse of O. Straus, Bataclan, Monsieur Chou-Fleuri of Offenbach and Les Mousquetaires au couvent of Varney (staging set by Pierre Sybil at the operetta festival of Aix-Les-Bains). She also took part in other

operas, from Aboulker to Rameau, and gave several other performances in other locations (Bretagne, Auvergne and Marrakech).

Indeed, for several months in a row, Marion Baglan has incarnated Mozart’s Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute in the Comedia Theatre in Paris (staging by Jean-Philippe Daguerre).

Once more, she was asked to sing the Queen of the Night’s theme at the Olympia (Paris) with the Colonne Orchestra directed by Laurent Petitgirard (a performance broadcasted on Radio-Classique).

In the Pleyel Hall in Paris, Marion Baglan also became the extravagant Colorature from L. Petitgirard’s opera Elephant Man under the direction of the composer himself.

Marion Baglan has recently been honoured with Simone and Cinno del Duca Foundation Price for the successful outset of her career on the impulse of the Beaux-Arts Academy from the Institute of France.In the coming months, she will give a recital at the Simone and Cinno del Duca Foundation. On different occasions, she will be Lakmé’s eponym character of Delibes, Offenbach’s Baroness in La Vie Parisienne and, obviously, Mozart’s Queen of the Night for a tour in France.

mbaglan@noos.fr

François-Marie JUSKOWIAK is a pianist and a percussionist. Trained by Claude Maillols and Francis Brana, he received his first awards for piano, percussion, chamber music and script in the conservatoires de Bobigny and Créteil before going on to perfect his art with Alain Sabouret and Alain Planès. He is today a member of the ‘Orchestre des concerts Pasdeloup’. He performs also with various orchestral formations, like the ‘Ensemble orchestral de Paris’, the ‘Orchestre national de Lille’, the ‘Orchestre des concerts Lamoureux’, etc,. This paved the way for work with Y. Sado, J-C Casadesus, J. Nelson, and many other masters…Since 2001, he has teamed up with Sylvie Lechevalier to form a duo that explores repertoire with two pianos, accompanied regularly by the soprano coloratura Marion Baglan, and the clarinettist Vincent Penot in recitals. Recently, in last December, in the Bernstein’s production On the Town, at the Théâtre du châtelet, he performed on the piano. Today, he teaches piano at CRD Cachan.

This concert is open to the publicThis concert is open to the publicThis concert is open to the publicThis concert is open to the public

Contact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitationsContact Alliance Française of Madras for invitations

Phone: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Phone: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Phone: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477Phone: 2827 9803/ 2827 1477

Please be seated by 7.15pm.Please be seated by 7.15pm.Please be seated by 7.15pm.Please be seated by 7.15pm.

If you require good seating, please come early.If you require good seating, please come early.If you require good seating, please come early.If you require good seating, please come early.

Press ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress Releasessss

The Hindu,The Hindu,The Hindu,The Hindu, January 3, 2010January 3, 2010January 3, 2010January 3, 2010

Deccan ChroniDeccan ChroniDeccan ChroniDeccan Chronicle,cle,cle,cle, December 23, 2009.December 23, 2009.December 23, 2009.December 23, 2009.