aixcentric

Firstly the Christmas market opened today and was in full swing this afternoon, with chalets selling crafts and all manner of Christmas presents.

The textiles market which is normally in the cours Mirabeau is now coiled around the open area in front of the Office du Tourisme and also at the bottom of the Allées Provencales.  The cours Mirabeau  has had all its entry points barred by large concrete blocks with access only at the Rotonde through a security check-point.

There’s an interesting new film at the Renoir cinema – ‘Polina Danser sa Vie’ – which is the story of a young Russian dancer who decides against joining the Bolshoi and comes, instead, to Aix-en-Provence!  In Aix, she is tutored by a ballerina played by Juliette Binoche….location-spotting will be fun for us all.  The co-producer and choreographer is Angelin Prejljocaj of the Pavillon Noir so it promises to be very creative.  On from today; it’s in French, and Russian with subtitles.

Phot’Aix 2016 begins tomorrow. It’s an annual photography trail around town, so you pop into various shops and hotel foyers to see the pictures. The programme is here: http://www.fontaine-obscure.com/ or you can pick up the 24-page booklet if you prefer print, from the Office du Tourisme.

And finally, the new exhibition at the Musée Granet, opens on Saturday.  It’s dedicated to the work of Olivier Bernex who has his studio at Allauch.  He is

a solitary man who loves nature especially walking around the Garlaban.  Thirty of  his monumental works will be on show from 19th November. Here’s a sample……

Cosmogonie 2, 13e reverie Photo Jean-Luc Maby, C Olivier Bernex