Ballet de L' Opera National de Bordeaux stages dual shows. Photos Provided to China Daily

The 20th edition of Le French May returns to Hong Kong and Macao. Rebecca Lo reports.

Le French May has topped the annual agenda of every Francophile east of Europe with good reason.

Ever since it was first conceived by Hong Kong's former consul general Laurent Aublin in 1993, it has brought together a bevy of Gallic events, performances and exhibitions running the gamut from haute to street. With increasingly more French companies realizing that the Chinese market craves all things Francaise, this year's 20th edition of Le French May is pulling out all the stops.

Le French May is organized by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise and supported by Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong and Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.

This year, it runs for three months across every corner of Hong Kong and Macao, with more participating local businesses and venues than ever before partnering with beloved French brands.

It was current French consul general Arnaud Barthelemy's mandate to get more people interested in the festival - including those who have never stepped inside of an art gallery before.

"This year is a landmark program," says Barthelemy, nodding at Hong Kong Sinfonietta's conductor and music director Yip Wing-sie in the audience during a press conference.

He was referencing her opening concert held on April 12 at Hong Kong City Hall, where she guided French violist Lise Berthaud in Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante.

Yip conducts two other concerts featuring Berlin Philharmonic's concertmaster and violinist Daishin Kashimoto on April 14 and pianist Jean-Claude Pennetier on April 27, both at City Hall.

The first thing on most art lovers' checklist is Crme de la Crme from May 19 to July 22.

Spanish artist Pablo Picasso's best work for a total value of HK$6.7 billion ($863 million) from Paris' Muse National Picasso will be at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum in Shatin. Some 48 oils and seven sculptures from his eight decade-long career make up the exhibition, including his 1970 Seated Girl.

"The Picasso exhibition is the largest display of the master's work ever shown in Hong Kong," notes Barthelemy.

In Macao, Macao Museum of Art will include a major exhibition of contemporary artist Jean-Michel Othoniel's work in My Way.

Although many know Othoniel from his commercial installations such as the oversized pearls suspended in the Chanel boutique at Hong Kong's Prince's Building, the exhibition includes the French artist's work from his breakout period in the 1980s.

Installations and sculpture by Nathalie Decoster and Bernar Venet will be dotted throughout the city for public contemplation, while French photographers Stephane Courturier, Alain Bublex and Gilbert Garcin will show their work from April 6 to May 2 at Avenue of the Stars in Hong Kong.

Opera buffs will thrill to Carmen from May 10 to 13 at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. Starring Israeli mezzo-soprano Rinat Shaham in the title role, the production is directed by Philippe Arlaud and also features bass-baritone Jean-Luc Ballestra as Escamillo.

Every year, Le French May partners with a region of France; this year Bordeaux takes center stage.

Dance aficionados will snap up tickets to see Ballet de L' Opera National de Bordeaux's dual shows In the Steps of Petipa and Four Tendances, both at the Hong Kong Cultural Center from June 6 to 9. The troupe has been gracing French theaters since Louis XIV, and remains one of the world's most respected dance companies.

Along with Bordeaux Opera Ballet, foodies will want to sample Le French GourMay, as the wine and dine component of Le French May will focus on the delights of Bordeaux.

Participating restaurants in Hong Kong include Petrus, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Caprice, Chez Patrick and La Terrasse, while Priv and The Tasting Room in Macao will highlight gourmet products from the Grand Cru region in its menus.

Film buffs are treated to a host of movies set in the cities of Hong Kong and Paris at Broadway Cinematheque and Palace IFC from May 5 to 30, while Crazy About Yves at the Hong Kong City Hall from May 19 to June 11 chronicles the story of fashion legend Yves Saint Laurent's modern wearable art.

As Le French May's title sponsor, The Hong Kong Jockey Club will host two special races to commemorate this year's 20th anniversary edition. France Gallop and Le French May Trophy races on May 9 at the Happy Valley racetrack promises to be an exciting day of horseracing with a distinctly French ambience.

Through the Jockey Club's support, an outreach program for 2,000 students will ensure that kids get into the joie de vivre.

"Handicapped children and their families will be invited to all the performing arts events this year," notes Andrew Yuen, chairman of the Association Culturelle France-Hong Kong. "One of our fellow board members, Mrs. Michelle Ong-cheung and the First Initiative Foundation will also invite pianist Francois Chaplin to perform for students of the University of Hong Kong, Baptist University, Academy for Performing Arts and other educational institutes."

With events appealing to virtually all interests and tastes, Barthelemy urges everyone to book tickets early to avoid disappointment: "There will be more of everything this year!"

Contact the writer at sundayed@chinadaily.com.cn.