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Pension debates, strikes, wine, culture: The week ahead in France
This week (February 6-12) is set to feature several more days of anti-pension transport strikes, and a number of major cultural events in film, wine, arts and…lemons
Monday, February 6
Pension reform law debate
MPs are set to begin debating the controversial pension reform law which has already had 20,000 amendments submitted.
ATP tennis tournament
The famous men’s tournament begins in the city of Montpellier. The final will take place on Sunday, February 12.
Ski world championships
The winter sports event takes place in Courchevel Méribel.
Tuesday, February 7
Third day of pension action
Another day of action and protests against the government’s pension reform is set to take place in some sectors.
Read more: French pension strike February 7: travel and schools to be impacted
Wine contest
The competition for the Best Sommelier of the World competition begins in Paris. It will end on Sunday, February 12.
Paris 2023 : qui sera le meilleur sommelier du monde ? https://t.co/CURen7eFIx via @YouTube
— Philippe Faure-Brac (@fbphilippe75) February 24, 2022
Wednesday, February 8
Rail strike
Workers from SNCF are set to take more protest action against the pension reforms under the banner of unions CGT-Cheminots and SUD Rail.
Read also: Why more people are supporting the retirement strikes in France
Picasso art show
The exhibition Picasso et la préhistoire is set to open at the Musée de l’Homme, in Paris. It wll last until June 12.
#PicassoPréhistoire | Il « n’y a pas de passé ni d’avenir en art » - Pablo Picasso.
— Musée de l'Homme (@Musee_Homme) January 26, 2023
« Picasso et la Préhistoire » : une exposition à découvrir du 8 février au 12 juin 2023 au Musée de l’Homme. #PicassoCélébration @MuseePicasso @celebrapicasso 👉 https://t.co/Rk8wrA5zBN pic.twitter.com/q3eGcav2aD
Thursday, February 9
Ecology launch
Green party the EELV plans to launch its Etats Généraux de l’Ecologie campaign in Paris. The aim is to “start the process of refounding…and creating a new people’s green movement”, the party head Marine Tondelier has said.
Nobel winner at the Académie Française
Nobel prizewinner for Literature, the Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa is set to be formally admitted to the Académie Française.
The appointment has attracted some criticism, given Vargas Llosa’s age (10 years above the usual 75-year limit), the fact that he does not write in French, and his support for far-right politicians. However, his clear literary merit meant he was admitted by 18 votes in favour, one abstention, and two blank votes.
Friday, February 10
Victoires de la musique
The 38th edition of the Ministry of Culture award ceremony takes place in Paris. It aims to recognise outstanding achievements in the music industry in France.
Nice carnival
The Carnaval de Nice begins in the Mediterranean city and celebrates its 150th anniversary. The event will last until February 26.
On the UNESCO World Heritage list, the Nice Carnival 2023 will have as its theme the treasures of our world heritage. Every year, the theme changes.
Cinq corsi illuminés et cinq batailles de fleurs de 16 chars, un défilé unique rassemblant chars de Carnaval et de Bataille des Fleurs, un millier d'artistes venus du monde entier : pour son 150ème anniversaire, le @NiceCarnaval fait les choses en grand. pic.twitter.com/y0yirJhVwp
— Christian Estrosi (@cestrosi) February 2, 2023
Saturday, February 11
More pension strikes
More action is planned against the government’s planned reforms.
Ireland-France
The fixture is set to take place on the second day of the men’s rugby tournament the Six Nations in Dublin.
On Sunday (February 5), France won its first game against Italy 29-24 whilst on Saturday Ireland beat Wales 34 to 10.
Lemon festival
La fête du citron, an annual event in homage to the fruit, takes place in Menton until February 26 with its famous sculptures made of citrus fruits. More than 200,000 people typically attend the super-colourful event each year.
This year, 120 tonnes of the fruit are expected to be needed in order to make the sculptures.
La billetterie est ouverte: rendez-vous sur www.fete_du_citron.com pic.twitter.com/RVWhGv9w9e
— Fête du Citron (@fete_du_citron) October 21, 2022
Sunday, February 12
Super sommelier
The final of the Best Sommelier of the World competition takes place at the Défense Arena in Paris to an audience of 3,500 people.
Last day of circus arts event
The final day of the international circus arts event la Biennale Internationale des Arts du Cirque 2023 in Marseille.
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Strikes, sports events, rising energy bills: The week ahead in France