Césars, farming, Six Nations: The week ahead in France

Monday, February 20

Tennis tournament

The Open 13 Provence ATP 250 tennis tournament begins at the Palais des Sports in Marseille. It is set to take place until February 26.

The men’s tournament is played on indoor, hard courts. This year is the 31st edition of the Open 13.

School holidays

Today marks the first official day of school holidays for people in Zone C (Créteil, Montpellier, Paris, Toulouse and Versailles). Their holidays will last until March 6.

However, it is back to school this morning for everyone in Zone A (Besançon, Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Limoges, Lyon and Poitiers, as well as the surrounding areas)

Tuesday, February 21

Unesco internet conference

Unesco is set to hold its world conference at its headquarters in Paris, on the subject of ‘Pour un internet de confiance’.

Attendees are set to discuss projects and proposals to regulate digital platforms. The aim is to make the internet a safer place, while still protecting people’s freedom of expression and human rights.

Wednesday, February 22

Carnival!

The Mulhouse Carnival, Le Carnaval de Mulhouse, begins. It takes place every year after the weekend of Mardi Gras. This year’s theme is the power of flowers.

The colourful event will include decorated floats, as well as concerts and musical gatherings in the town’s restaurants and bars. It will last until Sunday February 26.

Friday, February 24

Strasbourg hosts Ukraine war ceremony

The Council of Europe is set to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Strasbourg. Discussions will be conducted to discuss the consequences of the war.

It comes after the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen made a speech on February 15 that continued to condemn actions by Russia against Ukraine as she presented the council’s 10th package of sanctions against Russia and Putin.

On both Thursday and Friday, the Palais de l’Europe will be lit up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

The ‘French Oscars’

The 48th ceremony of the celebrated César cinema awards is set to take place in Paris, at the Olympia. American director David Fincher is set to receive the Honorary César, and actor Tahar Rahim will host the event.

The nominees for the awards were announced on January 25. The most nominated film this year is drama L’Innocent (with 11), directed by Louis Garrel, also starring Roschdy Zem and Anouk Grinberg.

The second-most nominated film, with 10 nominations, is La Nuit du 12, a thriller directed by Dominik Moll.

The event will be live on Canal + at 20:45.

Saturday, February 25

Farming salon

The Salon International de l’Agriculture (or the International Agricultural Show) opens at Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles, Paris. It will run until March 5.

Its events include sales of farm products from across France and the world, as well as livestock sales and competitions, agricultural services, and a section dedicated to plants, crops, and gardening.

This year, the show’s mascot is a Salers breed cow named Ovalie.

Sunday, February 26

France in the Six Nations

France plays Scotland on the third day of the Six Nations rugby championship at the Stade de France, Paris. Kick-off is at 15:00.

Read also: Scotland and Ireland, then France, top readers’ support in Six Nations

France had been triumphant after its win against Italy on February 5, but it was then beaten 32-19 by Ireland on February 11 in Dublin.

It will be hoping to come out on top again when playing on home soil, especially before its next fixture against England, which is set to take place in Twickenham on March 11.

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