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On Thursday the 22nd of March the 1st annual “Semana de Francia” was inaugurated in Altos de Chavon and on Friday the program of activities (which continued until Sunday) includes the 1st French-Dominican business forum with the participation of his excellency Dr. Leonel Fernandez, President of the Dominican Republic, as well as the “Exquisite flavors of France” dinner gala at the Beach Club by Le Cirque.
And so on the afternoon of Thursday March the 22nd 2012, following a generous “blessing” of rain, the transformation of Altos de Chavon into a “petit village francais” was complete. Decorated with French flags, the gastronomic, technological and art fair flowed through the cobbled streets, which welcomed the first guests at around 5pm.
A little after sunset, as the beautiful plaza of Altos de Chavon glowed in the last rays of sunlight, the official inauguration ceremony began, led by the elegant Blandine Kreiss, ambassador of France for the Dominican Republic and animated by the “Gran Orchestre de Rene Coll” who welcomed each speaker to the stage with a musical accompaniment.
A grand occasion, the audience were also welcomed by Manuel Grullón, president of the French-Dominican Chamber of Commerce as well as Claudio Silvestri, President and CEO of Premier Resorts and Hotels, the management company for Casa de Campo. All speakers made special thanks to the event’s sponsors and supporters, amongst them Banco Popular, the Central Romana Corporation, Carrefour, Orange, Alstom and Air Caraibes.
As the ceremony came to a close, the audience were treated to several musical numbers presented by the INTEC choir, before the official “ribbon cutting” ceremony took place, also led by Blandine Kreiss with the participation of Manuel Grullón, Claudio Silvestri and Ramon Menéndez.
Following the ceremony, the gathered crowd flowed through the magnificent “petit village français” enjoying the gastronomic, art and technologic fair, a wine cocktail hosted by Carrefour, as well as the inauguration of the new art exhibit “Soleils” presented by French artist, Michel Bizet.
The majestic opening evening of the “Semana de Francia” came to an energetic close with the “Gran Orchestre de Rene Coll”, who performed in front of an enraptured audience in the main Altos de Chavón plaza!Carrefour in Altos de Chavón
Especially popular was the new Carrefour store, which overflowed with shoppers impressed by not only the wide selection of merchandise, but also the very reasonable prices – numerous shoppers were so pleased with their purchases they proudly showed them off with proclamations such as “look what I got for only RD$1200!” Carrefour will be open in Altos de Chavón 10am – 10pm until this Sunday the 25th of March.
Le Gran Orchestre de Rene Coll in Altos de Chavón!
The following are a collection of photos taken during the inauguration evening of the “Semana de Francia” in Altos de Chavón:
Welcome to Altos de Chavón – un petit village français
The Auto Feria Francesa Popular in Altos de Chavón
Also open in Altos de Chavón is the “Auto Feria Francesa Popular” with the participation of distinguished French automobile brands; Citreon, Renault, Peugeot and Michelin. This car show is open from 10am – 10pm until Sunday March 25th in the Altos de Chavón main parking lot.
The “Semana de Francia”: 22nd – 25th of March The Semana de Francia continues today (Friday March 23rd) through to Sunday March 25th with an extensive program of events and activities, catering for all ages and interests and taking place across the Casa de Campo resort. The updated “Semana de Franca” program of events click here! The “Semana de Francia”, 4 day event incorporates a multitude of business, technological, cultural and gastronomic activities all over Casa de Campo with the exceptional spot of Altos de Chavón transformed into a typical “village Francaise”, with gastronomic, artistic and technological fair open every day from 10am – 10pm animated with street performers and a lively program of musical and theatrical events!