The final call

The curtains are coming down on La Fête 2015, the annual Franco-Thai cultural co-operation festival, as it will be held for the 11th and final time from June 3-20. Next year, according to the Embassy of France, it's likely that shows and performances will be spread out all-year-round.

Kicking off the festival is Royal Festivities At The French Court, which will be chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The show by Doulce Memoire incorporates music, singing, dancing, acrobatics and sumptuous costumes that mimic the atmosphere of great festivities held at the court of King Francis I, a joyful and festive Renaissance event. The show is in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the coronation of King Francis I.

This year, the photography exhibition Detour Of The Ego is by Lek Kiatsirikajorn, who spent three months in Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris, with the support of the French embassy, to create his work. The exhibition presents an introspection of the photographer through a non-traditional photography installation. It is composed of five sets that compare the photographer's state of thinking. At Bangkok University Gallery from June 12.

Metaphorical and spirituality in photography and mixed media is on view in Dans La Jungle Des Anges. Thai designer Rush Pleansuk and Philippe Moisan, a French photographer, collaborate to inspire people to perceive the value of a city and green spaces. The artwork emphasises the characteristics of Bangkok through artistic perspectives. At the Alliance Francaise from June 18.

This year's visual arts exhibition Entr'écoles-Regards Croisés are by exchange students Kanjana Chonsiri from Silpakorn University and Alexandre Poisson from Paris' National School of Fine Arts. Their artwork portrays artistic dialogue, a plastic testimony created from the crossed residencies in France and Thailand. At Bridge café from June 5.

For the best of contemporary French creation, the magic show Notte (The Night) is a highlight of the festival. The 14:20 company has developed many prestigious collaborations, such as those with designer Jean-Paul Gaultier and choreographer Philippe Découflé. This Bangkok piece combines dance, juggling, music and video effects. Notte, performed in the dark, tells a story about opposites attracting each other then losing each other, crossing eternally and sometimes meeting, in the search for balance. At Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts, Chulalongkorn University, on June 13.

Moving on to dance, experimental and surprising performances are Jitti Chompee's signature. This time, he uses The Pearl Fishers (Les Pêcheurs De Perles) as a concept. Jitti creates a performance during a three-month residency at the Cite Internationale des Art de Paris. His new piece is inspired by Picasso's Cubist paintings. He develops new choreography and scenographic approaches in different perspectives. He also picked The Pearl of Fishers (Les Pêcheurs De Perles), the famous opera for interpretation, while blending Western and Eastern artistic expression. At Rose Hotel on June 15-16.

For something more upbeat, check out Standards, choreographed by French artist Pierre Rigal. Hip Hop has always been a highlight at La Fête over the years, and the new show features eight hip hop dancers who portray the collective symbol of living together. The French flag "ring of light" becomes their imaginary territory. Inside it, they experiment and express all the association of ideas and images that can be tied to a flag: national identity, integration, assimilation and standardisation. At Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre, Chulalongkorn University, on June 19.

La Fête's Hip Hop Battle is the most awaited event for young people, gathering dancers from all over Thailand. This year, the dancers of the Pierre Rigal Company will join the competition, which will be an artistic firework combining current and future talents in hip hop. The party continues till late with "GO GRRRLS' riot grrrl house", DJ Dookie and DJ Maehappyair. At Live House Studio, near Chatuchak Market, on June 20.