2001 BFOV Spring
Weekend in France Joint venture with Les Amis du Vanuatu
In late March 2001 a large group of members crossed the channel to spend a
weekend in Rouen with members of the French association, Les Amis du
Vanuatu, for the first réunion between the two groups since
the 1997/98 visit of the BFOV to Paris to attend the celebrated Vanuatu
exhibition (Vanuatu Océanie -- arts des isles de cendre et de corail) at
Le Musée des arts d'Afrique et d'Océanie. The British group took two
ni-Vanuatu Chevening Scholars -- Laurina Liwuslili and Sowani Joseph as
guests of the association. The weekend programme included a
magnificent reunion dinner in Rouen on the Saturday evening and the joint
visit to Monet's Garden.
Michel
Kornmann, the
chairman of the French association, Les Amis Français du Vanuatu, in conversation
with André and Anne Pilecki (IRCC Santo) in Monet's Garden, the venue for the first
rendez-vous between the two groups of old friends. Vive l'amitié
franco-britannique!
Again
in Monet's Garden, Mena Shackley and Anne Pilecki seated in front of the
striking tulip beds. This was the first reunion between the two
friends since leaving
Vanuatu in 1989.
