Learn Martian at Pompidou Centre

AS THE Curiosity Rover continues its hunt for life on Mars, the Pompidou Centre in Paris is getting ready in case it finds anything – by offering courses in Martian.

Science fiction fans can sign up for lessons offered as part of the Nouveau Festival at the Beaubourg, which has more than 100 activities organised around the theme of languages invented for the cinema, literature or typography.

Nasa’s robot has just drilled into its first Martian rock and Alain Seban, Pompidou Centre president, said they were looking at the way languages had been created by the likes of Star Trek (with Klingon), artist Guy de Cointet, graphic designer Richard Hollis and film director Pier Paolo Pasolini.

“Visitors will be able to write in Martian, create their own books, discover around 3,000 spoken and written languages – and meet artists, actors, writers, critics, historians and musicians – and discover an art that is just being invented.”

The Nouveau Festival runs until March 11.

Elsewhere at the Pompidou Centre, the exhibition on Salvador Dali runs until March 25.
Photo: Leland