The Czech ambassador Zdeněk Lyčka welcomed the guests, who were mainly diplomatic representatives and important personalities from the Francophone environment in Copenhagen. He shortly introduced the history and the main aims of the Francophonie and the bond between the Czech Republic and Francophone culture. Afterwards the Directrice of the French Institute in Copenhagen, Anne Schmidt, greeted the guests. In her speech she emphasized diversity of all fields in which the Francophonie is represented and she thanked the Czech Embassy for good cooperation.

The Czech ambassador Zdeněk Lyčka (in the middle) with Anne Schmidt, the Directrice of the French Institute in Copenhagen. Photo: Hasse Ferrold

Mrs. Christine Krabbe, a French living in Denmark, launched the evening programme with her lecture about Bohuslav Reynek, a poet, a translator, a painter and a graphic artist, and his wife Suzanne Renaud, a poet, too. Mrs. Krabbe met both artists in her native Grenoble and she stayed in touch with them all their lives. After the lecture in French the guests could hear poems by B. Reynek and S. Renaud both in French and Czech.

Mrs. Christine Krabbe giving a lecture about Bohuslav Reynek and Suzanne Renaud. Photo: Hasse Ferrold

The guests had also a unique opportunity to see an exhibition of graphics by Bohuslav Reynek, complemented with books, photographs and other materials related to both artists. The exhibition was prepared by Mrs. Krabbe who also kindly provided all the materials for the evening.

In the second part of the program a concert was held with Czech and French music performed by two outstanding Czech musicians – violoncellist Michaela Fukačová and pianist Bohumila Jedličková.

 
The concert performed by Czech musicians – violoncellist Michaela Fukačová and pianist Bohumila Jedličková.

Delighted audience

At the end of the evening the guest could share their impressions at a small reception which the Czech Embassy and the French Institute in Copenhagen had prepared.

The celebration of the International Francophonie Day itself took place on 22 March at the Copenhagen University. The Czech Embassy provided Czech beer and spa wafers for the event.

Invitation DK
Invitation FR