To celebrate 55 years of cultural relations between France and Myanmar, the Institut Français de Birmanie (IFB) has partnered with the Government of Yangon Region to stage Mingalabar! a multidisciplinary festival in Yangon from 2nd to 4th December 2016.
The festivities will take place in more than a dozen locations in and around Yangon, including Botahtaung jetty, Warden jetty, the Myaynigone flyover, Mahabandoola Park and People’s Park, as well as further-flung locations like Hlaing Tharyar, Shwe Pyithar and North Dagon.
There will be giant puppet parades, circus performances and classical dance with mechanical diggers, hoola-hooping jugglers and hip hop dancers, live reggae, rock, and French electro and to round it all off a 3D video mapping of the city projected onto city hall.
Hip hop artist Kyaw Kyaw Aung says, “I hope this’ll be a great event for everyone, a celebration of Myanmar’s opening up to the world and an expression of joy.”
Director of the Institut Français, Charles Bonhomme, was equally as upbeat, “Freedom has come to the country and new initiatives are popping up everywhere. Myanmar has a great culture, and it has been cut off from the world for too many years. We hope this festival will connect artists and creators from Myanmar and the rest of the world.”
MINGALABAR SCHEDULE
DAY ONE
FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER
- PARADE
L’ Homme Debout presents an exclusive 3-day parade of giant bamboo puppets around Yangon. - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | BOTAHTAUNG JETTY
PUPPET’S ARRIVAL
Welcoming the first giant puppet on Yangon River. - 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | DALA
A VISIT TO DALA
Parade around Dala Jetty along with Circus performances. - 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM | WARDAN JETTY
OPENING CEREMONY OF MINGALABAR!
The two giant puppets meet and open together the festival. - SHOWS
The Giants parade will be animated by a variety of shows all day - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | BOTAHTAUNG JETTY
TRADITIONAL MUSIC & DANCE
Traditional dance show by Myanmar artists and musicians. - 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM | DALA
HULA HOOPLA CIRCUS
Hoola Hoop juggling on flexible Chinese mat. - LA CORDE ET ON CIRCUS
Poetic duet between accordion and performer. - 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | WARDAN JETTY
L’HOMME V. BMX
BMX show with live cello. - LIVE PAINTING PERFORMANCE STREET ART
Live performance by French artists Goddog, Alexandra Arango and Myanmar Street Artist Arker Kyaw. - 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | WARDAN JETTY
POPULAR DINNER
Dinner open to all with Myanmar and French Street Food. - BINTOU DEMBELE & THE MYANMAR STREET DANCE
Hip Hop Dance show by French & Myanmar Hip Hop dance. - 7:30 PM – 1:00 AM | WARDAN JETTY
JAM IT ! MUSIC
Underground Rock & Hip Hop show. - DJ CLEON DJ
The best of French live electro music.
DAY TWO
SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER
- PARADE
L’ Homme Debout presents an exclusive 3 days parade of giant bamboo puppets around Yangon. - 10:45 AM | STRAND ROAD – MERCHANT ST – MAHABANDOOLA PARK & YCDC HALL
DOWNTOWN WANDER
Downtown parade with the two puppets. - SHOWS
The Giants parade will be animated by a variety of shows all day. - 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | MAHABANDOOLA PARK & YCDC HALL
TRANSPORTS EXCEPTIONNELS DANCE
Classical dance show with mechanical digger. - L’HOMME V. BMX
BMX show with live cello - LA CORDE ET ON CIRCUS
Poetic duet between accordion player and aerial rope. - HULA HOOPLA CIRCUS
Hoola Hoop juggling on flexible Chinese mat. - 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM | MAHABANDOOLA PARK & YCDC HALL
BINTOU DEMBELE & THE MYANMAR STREET DANCE
Hip Hop Dance show by French & Myanmar Hip Hop dance. - ANNE PACEO & THE HEIN TINT ENSEMBLE MUSIC
Musical encounter between French Jazz drummer and… more details - REGGAE & POP SHOW MUSIC
Show by Reggae musician Saw Phoe Kwar with his One Love. - 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM | MAHABANDOOLA PARK & YCDC HALL
RENCONTRES AUDIOVISUELLES VIDEO MAPPING
3D video animation show on Yangon City Hall
DAY THREE
SUNDAY 4TH DECEMBER
- PARADE
L’Homme Debout continues the 3-day parade of giant bamboo puppets around Yangon. - 10:00 AM | PYAY ROAD – MYAYNIGONE FLYOVER
INAUGURATION OF THE FLYOVER ART PROJECT
Sanchaung parade & inauguration of the Flyover Art Project with Hip Hop battle. - SHOWS
The Giants parade will be animated by a variety of shows all day. - 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM | PEOPLE’S PARK
TRANSPORTS EXCEPTIONNELS DANCE
Classical dance show with mechanical digger - L’HOMME V. BMX
BMX show with live cello - HULA HOOPLA CIRCUS
Hoola Hoop juggling on flexible Chinese mat. - LA CORDE ET ON CIRCUS
Poetic duet between accordion player and aerial rope. - 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM | PEOPLE’S PARK
MYANMAR ROCK SHOW MUSIC
Live show by Myanmar Rock bands Wai La and Side Effect - LAST TRAIN MUSIC
Rock Concert by indie rock band Last Train - 8:30 PM – 9:00 PM | PEOPLE’S PARK
FIREWORK SHOW FIREWORKS
For the first time in years, a breathtaking Firework show.
For full details follow the link: mingalabar-festival.com
