After many preparatory contacts, the official twinning agreement making Nantes and Durban official sister cities will be signed on August 26. This will take place during the opening of the UMCEBO Exhibition at the Festival of Nantes and many exchanges will take place in the future.

Two groups - Andile Mseleku and The Melvin Peters Quartet as well as Kwazuna featuring Darius Brubeck - will participate in this festival. They have been supported by both cities, the French Ministry of Culture and the Alliance Française of Durban. Before they leave, Durban audiences will be treated to a concert at the Centre for Jazz at the University of Kwazulu-Natal on August 18.

The groups will be welcomed back to Durban with an evening that will coincide with the opening night of the Exhibition Faces of the Mill on September 3 at 18h30 (see Visual Arts pages).

The new Café in the Alliance Française, Rendez-Vous, is now open for lunch and snacks every day.The place to visit for those who like delicious food served in a creative, artistic atmosphere.

The Alliance Française de Durban is situated at 22 Sutton Crescent, Morningside, Durban. Phone 031 312 9582, fax 031 312 2864 or e-mail: afdbn@global.co.za or durban@alliance.org.za