FRENCH FESTIVAL

Ms FOX (Bright) (15:34): I rise today to speak about a major tourism event that will take place this weekend in Adelaide, and that is the 2008 French Festival at Carrick Hill. This biennial festival is run by the Alliance Française, which is a group that was founded in Paris in 1883 to promote French language and culture outside France. It is an organisation that has flourished and it now has more than 1,000 schools worldwide in about 133 countries.

The Alliance Française is growing steadily here in Adelaide. It has a growing number of students, and it has been having this festival on a biennial basis since the year 2000. Each year, the festival seems to be based on the different regions of France, helping to promote and celebrate the history of the country, its culture and language. Approximately 90 percent of the festival's attendees are Australians with no family links to France at all but they are curious to learn about what the festival offers.

As I have said, the Alliance Française d'Adelaïde is currently experiencing a growing number of enrolments, which is proof that French culture and language is of interest to many South Australians. On average, this event attracts between 6,000 and 7,000 people over two days, and organisers are expecting an increase in visitor numbers this year.

Two major areas that the festival focuses on are French music and, of course, French food and wine. The music that attendees will hear is a reflection of France's vibrant musical industry, which is open to both new and traditional influences. I think what is of even more interest is the food and wine, because there is a live cooking demonstration and wine tasting. I think we can safely say that, at the end of the festival, people do get a little tired and emotional.

Mr Pederick: You ought to know all about that.

Ms FOX: I am a teetotaller, I would have you know.

Mr Pederick: I meant generally.

Ms FOX: Yes, thank you; because I am not a drinker, coming, as I do, from a strict Methodist background. France's tourism industry is also represented at the festival, with attendees given the opportunity to discuss and inquire about travelling to France. This year, the festival's theme is Provence-Côte d'Azur. This is a region of France that has a very similar climate to that of Adelaide and it is therefore a fitting theme. Many members, of course, would be familiar with books like A Year in Provence and Another Year in Provence. Provence is very popular amongst the English-speaking world because of its extraordinary landscape, its food, its wine and its wonderful people.

Previous years have, of course, seen the festival celebrate regions such as la Dordogne, Normandy, Rhône-Alpes, new Caledonia and Brittany. The state government is a sponsor of this festival, which also incorporates the 2008 French Film Festival. The film festival highlights some of the finest French cinematic achievements which South Australians would not regularly have the opportunity to see. This year, The French Film Festival attracted 6,000 people, with 15 of the 37 screenings sold out, which is amazing.

I would really like to congratulate the Alliance Française d'Adelaïde and make special mention of its director, Mr Philippe Marsé, who works tirelessly to promote the French culture in South Australia, as well as continuing to offer South Australian students the opportunity to learn another language and to learn about the culture of France.

I think it is quite interesting that a number of MPs on this side of the house have some very good smatterings of French, in particular, of course, the Hon. Jane Lomax Smith—

The Hon. J.D. Hill interjecting:

Ms FOX: —and minister Hill, who has just demonstrated his outstanding linguistic achievement.

Ms Simmons interjecting:

Ms FOX: And so has the member for Morialta. If anybody else wants to chat in French afterwards, we can do that. It is obvious that South Australians have a passion for French culture, and I am honoured to be invited as a guest again this year. I encourage everyone to attend the festival this coming weekend at Carrick Hill and enjoy the best of what France has to offer.

South Australia has always been a proud multicultural state, which is constantly growing and ever-changing. By embracing different cultures, we have the ability to enjoy and learn from new experiences, while adding new dimensions to an already dynamic South Australia.