Big festival this weekend
2007-07-12
THIS weekend Franschhoek will live up to its reputation of the country’s gourmet capital, with the Bastille Festival, a celebration of freedom.
The festival includes food prepared by the village’s top chefs matched with top local wines, the playing of the French game “Boulle” (Pêtanque), a barrel rolling competition, and live music.
Other traditional Bastille events around Franschhoek include street soccer, a French film festival, chefs’ race, youth awards and Alliance Francais programmes.
On Saturday there will be the Freedom Run led by Bruce Fordyce starting from the Pniel area, which was a slave settlement during the 19th century, to finish at Drakenstein Prison, before the start of the Long Walk from where Nelson Mandela was released.
This will be followed by the Long Walk from Drakenstein Prison to the Huguenot Monument led by Tokyo Sexwale, patron of Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism.
A guillotine play will highlight the end of this significant walk.
There will also be a sod-turning ceremony (in preparation for the unveiling of a life-size statue of Nelson Mandela at Drakenstein Prison).
A Grand Ball will also be held on Saturday evening at Boschendal, while on Sunday the Dewdale Montain-bike Ride takes place, starting and finishing at the Huguenot Monument.
For inquiries, phone Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourist Association 021-876-3603 or visit the website at www.bastillefestival.co.za.
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