Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1389773
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 JULY 2021 4 CULTURE Respire! The Franco-Maltese festival RESPIRE! is the first edition of a French-Maltese festival organ- ized by the French Embassy and its francophone organe Alliance Française. It is taking place from 15 June to 15 July across Malta and Gozo. After several months marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, cul- tural life is gradually returning to normal, and the Franco-Maltese cultural season was born out of this desire for freedom, creation and artistic stimulation. The festival, which runs from mid-June to mid-July, features some 20 events in Malta and Gozo celebrating arts, culture and sport. Respire! is a festival jointly organised by the French Embassy in Malta and the Alli- ance Française de Malte-Médi- terranée, with the active sup- port of some 15 French and Maltese partners from a wide range of backgrounds – enter- tainment venues, stationery shops, sports shops, restau- rants, accommodation, sailing races. The birth of this festival is based on the financial support of generous donors and French companies based in Malta who were able to mobilise very quickly to make this festival possible. The first public event was the broadcast of the Euro 2020 football match between France and Germany at Surfside in Sliema on Tuesday 15 June. The event brought together more than 80 French and Mal- tese supporters, who were hap- py to be able to cheer on the French team and take part in numerous games and compe- titions, while respecting health measures. Respire! was launched by the French Ambassador to Malta H.E. Brigitte Curmi on Mon- day 21 June, on the occasion of the Fête de la Musique (Music Festival). Singer-songwriter Charles- Baptiste perform at The Storeroom in Ta' Xbiex and the following day in Gozo. Throughout the summer sea- son, artistic events – French film screenings at Spazju Kreat- tiv, concerts – will mingle with sporting events such as the Bailli de Suffren race between Saint-Tropez and Birgu, and conferences and debates on the Mediterranean and on freedom of expression. All information can be found on the social net- works of the French Embassy in Malta and the Alliance française de Malte-Méditerranée. France's Ambassador to Malta Brigitte Curmi TUESDAY 06/07 TO SATURDAY 10/07 Bailli de Suffren Gozo & Malta Reception on 8 July In the presence of Olivier Poivre d'Arvor TUESDAY 13/07 Artistic walkabout Residence in France In the presence of Pierre Assouline, Nathalie Cohen, Katel Delia, Ludmila Berlinskaia and Arthur Ancelle THURSDAY 15/07 Conference – From the "Jew of Malta" to the Jews of Malta Rabat In the presence of Nathalie Cohen THURSDAY 15/07 Jazz concert Residence of France