Lionel Wendt comes alive with Notre Dame Cathedral

Presented by Alliance Française de Kotte

France's celebrated Notre Dame Cathedral comes alive at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on July 12 and 13 with 'Nostalgie-4-Notre Dame de Paris', an exhibition of black and white photographs by well-known media personality Kumar de Silva.

Presented by the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Alliance Française de Kotte as part of the current French Spring Festival 2014, the exhibition is partnered by DIC Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Seya Colour Kalubowila, Softwave Printing and Packaging (Pvt) Ltd, Lionel Wendt Arts Centre, The Revelations, Vitte Software Solutions, Wedding Dreams Flowers and Neidra Williams.

Open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days, it will continue from July 14 to 20 at the hall of the Alliance Francaise de Kotte, Keppetipola Mawatha in Colombo 5.

Eiffel Tower

"This fourth annual exhibition brings to the forefront little noticed facets of this over eight centuries-old Catholic treasure whose construction was completed over the course of 200 years. Much of the life around Notre Dame is often taken for granted.

As I did last year with the Eiffel Tower, my focus this year is daily life, both animate and inanimate, as it unfolds around the Cathedral in the changing Parisian light.

One only has to get off the 'fast-forward' mode, pause and watch .....it is a microcosm of the world out there.

This to me is as fascinating an experience as taking the stairs to the bell tower and rubbing shoulders with the gargoyles with the panoramic view of the city spread out at my feet".

De Silva who describes himself as "an incurable francophone cum francophile" has had a nearly three-decade long association with France.

He made his debut on the little screen with the legendary, French television program "Bonsoir" on ITN in 1986 with which he rapidly became a household name.

Two years ago, the Government of France conferred on Kumar de Silva, the title of 'Chevalier dans l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' (Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters).

This Order recognises eminent artistes, writers, and scholars for their efforts in promoting the awareness and enrichment of France's cultural heritage throughout the world.

"Our friend Kumar again showcases, with talent and humour, his fondness for France and French culture. This year too we are happy to embark with him in his unique vision of one of the world's most renowned pieces of architecture and history", says the Director of the Alliance Francaise de Kotte Claude Alexandre Martinez.

The Alliance Francaise de Kotte à Colombo (AFKO), at 11, Keppetipola Mawatha in Colombo 5 is the only such French language teaching organisation of its kind, in the city of Colombo, which is part of the international network of Alliance Française present in 104 countries.

Fully affiliated to the Fondation Alliance Francaise (Paris) which recognises its certificates and diplomas, AFKO enjoys the patronage of the Government of France and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka.

The author of three best-selling books - Lester by Lester (Dr. Lester James Peries), Irangani (screen legend Irangani Serasinghe) and The Bonsoir Diaries, he is also currently a member of the Executive Committee of the Alliance Française de Kotte and a Founder Trustee of the 'Lester James Peries and Sumitra Peries Foundation'.

Film versions

The Notre Dame Cathedral has inspired humankind in different ways. French novelist Victor Hugo wrote The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) which has spawned numerous film versions, television serials, animated cartoons, ballet, music theatre and radio plays.

More recently at the turn of the century was 'Notre-Dame de Paris', the Franco-Canadian hit musical, based on Hugo's novel with music composed by Richard Cocciante and lyrics by Luc Plamondon which has had resounding successes since its debut in Paris.

"All proceeds from the sale of these limited edition photographs will be donated to one of my friends of Sri Lanka's media fraternity - photographer Rukshan Abeywansha who has begun a long process of recovering in hospital after life-saving surgery to a ruptured spine following a motor accident. His total medical bill would be approximately Rs 3 million, out of which his insurance would only pay a fraction. All his friends have rallied together in an effort to help his family bring him back to normalcy", de Silva said.

Exhibition dates :

Lionel Wendt Art Gallery: July 12 and 13 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Alliance Francaise de Kotte ( Keppetipola Mawatha, Colombo 5): July 14 to 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.