(RE)BIRTHS will be accompanied by a series of talks, film screenings, exhibitions, as well as kid-friendly activities and workshops.
Exactly three years after the fire that partially ravaged the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, Alliance Française de Singapour unveils (RE)BIRTHS, a spectacular exhibition on the construction and successive restorations of one of the most iconic symbols of France throughout the centuries.
(RE)BIRTHS presents the history of Notre-Dame in 3D models, virtual reality (VR), videos, photographs and computer-generated images. The showcase will be accompanied by a series of talks, film screenings, workshops, and exhibitions.
Here are some of the programmes that families can look forward to.
(RE)BIRTHS
Venue: La galerie , Alliance Française de Singapour
Date: 16 Apr - 15 Jun 2022 (closed on Monday)
Fee: Free
At the heart of the programme, Alliance Française will present a spectacular exhibition “(Re)births” on the cathedral’s construction and its successive restorations. You will be able to immerse yourself in the history of Notre-Dame, in models, images and virtual reality. From the first stone to the renovation site, come and discover the cathedral, which became one of the symbols of France through the centuries.
A fantastic VR experience is offered in the exhibition, for visitors to enjoy a unique virtual tour of Notre-Dame de Paris. Ubisoft, in the video game Assassin’s CreedTM: Unity, released in 2014, has reconstructed the cathedral, thanks to 5000 hours of graphic work, guided by historians. “Notre-Dame de Paris: Journey to the Past” offers the possibility of (re)discovering the cathedral from different points of view, some of which were inaccessible to the public (the roof, the flying buttresses...), in the heart of a lively Paris at the end of the 18th century.
Shown to the public for the first time at UNESCO headquarters during Heritage Days in 2019, the experience is now presented at the Archaeological Crypt of Paris, as part of the exhibition “Notre-Dame de Paris: from Victor Hugo to Viollet-le-Duc” and in the Micro-Folies cultural centers in France.
Quasimodo, A Musical Story
Venue: Alliance Française Theatre
Date: 15 - 24 Apr 2022
Fee: $55 - $75
Be transported to the magic of Paris, and witness the truly unforgettable story - The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which will come to life on 15 April, exactly three years after the famed Cathedral was engulfed in flames, an event that devastated the world.
Quasimodo, A Musical Story is a dramatic tale of impossible love and jealousy doomed by injustice and hypocrisy, which remains timeless and relevant in today's society. The production features songs from the smash-hit musical Notre Dame de Paris, famously known for its intoxicating music and deep emotional appeal.
Eternal Notre-Dame by Michel Setboun
Venue: Level 2 - corridor , Alliance Française de Singapour
Date: 16 Apr - 15 Jun 2022
Fee: Free
The artistic agency MABILLE & CHAUMETTE presents 'Eternal Notre-Dame', an unprecedented Fine Art photo exhibition by the famous French photographer Michel Setboun.
To pay tribute to the majestic and iconic Cathedral of Paris, he practised his art in 3 different styles: Black and White, Colors, and Comic book processing. The latter style, very modern and unique, half-photo and half-design, refers to the colourful façade of the Cathedral back in the Middle Ages. This stunning series celebrates Notre-Dame de Paris, both Parisian and universal, intimate and mysterious, multiple and eternal.
Today, Michel Setboun’s photographs are shown everywhere in the world. His Ayatollah Khomeini portrait is considered one of the 100 most remarkable photographs of our century.
Camille Chaumette and Agnès Mabille are co-curators of the exhibition. Each photograph is available for sale in Limited Edition.
Art & Craft at the Library
Date & Time:
- 20 & 21 Apr 2022: 3.30 pm
- 27 & 28 Apr 2022: 10.30 am
Fee: Free for members | $5 for non-members
Bring the children for a fun-filled hands-on workshop using recycled materials. For kids 5 to 7 years old, you can sign up for the Notre Dame Rose Window workshop (20 & 27 Apr). Children from 7 to 9 years old, can sign up for the 3D Notre-Dame Model workshop (21 & 28 Apr). Registration is required for the workshops.
Virtual Reality Escape Game
Venue: VR World, 8A Sago St, Singapore 059012
Date: Apr 2022 [Date TBC]
In 2022, Ubisoft announced its collaboration with director Jean-Jacques Annaud and the production company Pathé to create a virtual reality escape game linked to the film Notre-Dame Brûle, which traces the historic rescue of Notre-Dame de Paris during the 2019 fire.
In this collaborative game, players will embody firefighters responsible for saving the cathedral’s treasures and then climbing to the North belfry to neutralize the fire there and protect Notre Dame.
The VR escape game will be available from the end of April 2022 at VR World. AF members will be entitled to a 10% discount for “Escape Notre-Dame on Fire”.
Movie Screenings
In addition to screenings of 'The Companions' and 'Notre-Dame: Our Lady of Paris', AF also presents kid-friendly movie screenings.
Poly
Date: 21 May 2022
Time: 2 pm
Fee: $13.50 for AF members | $15 for non-members
Cécile, 10 years old, moves to the south of France with her mother, Louise. When a circus moves in next door, Cécile discovers that Poly, the star pony, is being mistreated so she decides to organize his escape! Cécile and Poly embark on a journey full of twists and turns, a voyage of initiation and a beautiful story of friendship...
Hello World
Date: 12 Jun 2022
Time: 4 pm
Fee: $13.50 for AF members | $15 for non-members
10 species of animals among so many others are born, live, and become accustomed to each other beside a river... They all shout: “Hello world!”
Architecture Workshop for Kids
Date: 8 & 15 Jun 2022
Time: 9 am - 12 pm (7 to 10 years old) | 2 pm - 5 pm (11 to 13 years old)
Fee: $300
Introduce children to the architecture of Notre-Dame de Paris with Studio BTY. In a tutorial-like creative setting, children will find out about architecture in a playful way. In this Architecture Workshop, a professional architect will guide them in their reflections so that they mature their own ideas through drawings and models.
Holiday Camps
Date: 20 May - 24 Jun 2022 (Tue - Fri)
Time: 10.30 am - 12.30 pm
Fee: From $200/week
Immerse your kid in the French language through workshops and activities designed to educate and entertain. For kids aged 3-4, 5-7, 8-11 & 12-16 years old.
- Week 1 – Let’s visit the famous monuments in Paris
- Week 2 – Art and culture in Paris
- Week 3 – Paris, city of fashion
- Week 4 – Food tour in Paris
For the full schedule of events, please visit alliancefrancaise.org.sg/notre-dame.
Image credits: Alliance Française de Singapour
