Showcasing French plays for young audiences at TIFLI International TYA Festival

New Delhi [India], Dec 5 (ANI): Following the launch of Bonjour India - incubating dreams, ideas and projects, which aim to move the partnership between India and France into the future, New Delhi saw the inauguration of the fourth edition of TIFLI International Festival of Theatre for Children and Young Audiences at the National Bal Bhavan.

TIFLI will feature a special Focus France in the framework of Bonjour India. The event was addressed by Alice Brunot, Cultural Attachee of the Institut français in India (French Embassy).

TIFLI 2017, organised by Assitej India, has collaborated with Bonjour India's third edition and features performances by French and local theatre groups/companies.

The inauguration ceremony was a picturesque moment as everybody present on the spot released several colourful balloons in the sky to mark the commencement of the TIFLI International TYA festival which will include four performances by French groups and local collaborations in Delhi and Hyderabad.

Speaking on the occasion Alice Brunot said, "Theatre has always been a significant form of expression through entertainment. Therefore, we are using this platform to impart important messages to the youth through the plays. Theatre for kids and TIFLI are synonymous in India, hence Bonjour India is excited to collaborate with their fourth edition by showcasing these special productions."

The inauguration ceremony was followed by a lecture on the importance of theatre for children. Speakers present at the occasion included Sanjana Kapoor, Indian Theatre Artist & Director, Junoon Arts and Prof Poonam Batra, Dept. of Education, Delhi University while the moderator was Prof Tripurari Sharma, National School of Drama.

The collaborative works from Bonjour India which are being staged at TIFLI include:

-The Water Princess by Theatre Nisha, a fairy tale for the youth produced by Alliance Française of Madras that inspires young minds to preserve water!

-Grandfather, an exclusive children's play by Akselere company: A trip back into childhood, where a series of memories are brought to life from the grandfather's old clock by a shadow puppeteer and a sound artist!

-Bololipsum, a musical workshop for kids to create a psychedelic music resembling hip-hop out of used electronic toys also used as instruments during workshops and participative concerts for children

-Sleeping Beauty, a contemporary take on the famous princess' tale by Akselere company, narrated through theatre, puppets, objects and shadows. (ANI)