A farewell party was hosted at the Lalit Great Eastern in honour of the departing French consul general Didier Talpain and director of Alliance Francaise du Bengale Nicolas Facino. The hosts — Richa Sharma, Imran Zaki and the hotel general manager Kamal Raza — presented them a cake, the message on which reflected the mood of the get-together — Difficile de vous dire adieu (difficult to say goodbye to you).

The farewell cake

“The French and we, the Bengalis, share a love of art, poetry and cinema. I believe when these associations happen, there is mutual enrichment for each other. We have so much of French culture in us now that we can do French performances with their beautiful insights. Thank you, consul general. Thank you, Nicolas. Thank you Iryna (Vikyrchak). We made a film together that will remain with us. This has been a great journey for all of us. As much as I am happy to be here, I am sad as I will miss my friends. But life goes on.”
— Rituparna Sengupta

“You have always been a great support for this historic hotel whenever we have required. Thank you for that. I wish you all the best.”

Richa Sharma, Didier Talpain, Rituparna Sengupta, Nicolas Facino and Iryna Vikyrchak

— Kamal Raza, general manager,
Lalit Great Eastern

“Didier and Nicolas have been not just close diplomats but true friends. Their multitalented personalities, especially their deep love for music and cultural activities, have always inspired me. They embody the spirit of diplomacy that connects hearts as much as nations.
— Imran Zaki

“When I came 10 years ago to Bangalore on a study tour, things clicked immediately. So when I knew I would be posted in Calcutta, there were two different reactions in my circle. Those who knew India said I would enjoy the experience. Others thought it was a punishment. ‘What did you do wrong at the ministry?’ they asked. The first day was challenging as I was coming from Ukraine and I was alone. But immeduately afterwards, I felt the magic. These four years felt like four months. It was such an intense experience, deep and meaningful. I am not the same person I was four years ago. It is thanks to this experience. We speak the same language of art, of fashion, of cinema, of music. It was a beautiful journey, thanks to all of you.”
— Nicolas Facino, director, Alliance Francaise du Bengale

“I arrived in Calcutta a day before Durga puja and it felt like Christmas-eve. There was a feeling of something sacred that is going to happen. I have been around so many states in my jurisdiction. If I have to choose my favoutire destinations, Calcutta is out of competition. If I have to choose the countryside, probably Darjeeling would get the first prize. If it is a city, I have to give the prize to Bhubaneswar. If you come from the noise of Calcutta, you feel relieved. But I have found in Calcutta something that some people call love, which is different from friendship. It sometimes provokes, sometimes it doesn’t. Things are sometimes easy, sometimes not. But it is special. Remember, when the plane takes off, it takes off against the wind.”
— Didier Talpain, consul general of France