French Art Festival opens in Dubai, Yazzy's at www.williamverdult.com

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment, wife of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Presidential Affairs.

Top Dubai socialites attended the event which was inaugurated by HE Nada Yafi, French Consul General in Dubai.

Francoise Malafosse, Artistic Director of French Art Festival said, 'Participating artists were specifically selected from various schools and backgrounds to produce a festival displaying only the best of modern day French art to meet the expectations of art lovers and collectors in the UAE. It is also hoped to create bridges and opportunities between French artists and Emirati artists. We are convinced that this festival will pave the way for further cultural exchanges between the two countries and want it to serve as a launch pad for many other projects. As organisers of the French Art Festival we could never have achieved what we have done without such valued support of the local authorities involved, and I am so pleased to contribute to the blooming cultural scene in the UAE.'

The festival showcased 350 varied works of art by 30 renowned French artists. Participating French artists include Christine Barres, Robert DiCredico, Pascal Magis, Brigitte Martinet, Dominque Rayou and Jean-Louis Toutain. Local guest artists Manal Bin Amro and Nuha Hassan Asad also contributed, to add a more Middle Eastern feel to the displays.

In Dubai, the festival is supported by Dubai Cultural Council, the French Consulate, Dubai Women Establishment, Dubai Ladies Club, Alliance Francaise and French Business Council. Sponsors of the exhibition are Van Cleef & Arpels and Chalhoub Group.

Opening timings for the public in Dubai will be 3rd March from 10:00am-6:00pm and 4-5th March from 10:00am-9:00pm.

Following this, the French Art Festival will exhibit at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) with the following exhibition timings: 13th March, 10:00am-6:00pm and 14-15th March, 10:00am-9:00pm.