Along the waterways, from the Loire to the Mekong

“Along the Flow of Water: From the Loire to the Mekong” is an initiative by Novelette, which connects the Loire and Mekong rivers through music and cultural exchange. Conceived by pianist Dana Ciocarlie, an artist committed to promoting female composers and fostering intercultural dialogue, this project explores the relationship between natural heritage and contemporary artistic creation.

From November 26 to December 8, 2025, Dana Ciocarlie will give four recitals and two masterclasses in Huế, Da Nang, Da Lat, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, and will perform a concerto with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi. In France, the project is based in the Centre-Val de Loire region, with partnerships in place or under discussion with Bourges 2028, European Capital of Culture, the Landscape School of Blois, and the Loire Observatory (which has already studied the connections between the Loire and Mekong rivers in its archives). These partnerships will facilitate further exchanges through meetings, workshops, and performances, focusing on the ecological and poetic significance of rivers.

Born from a personal connection between the artist and Vietnam, “Along the Flow of Water” invites audiences on a musical and poetic journey, forging a bridge between two rivers that nourish both land and culture. This project echoes the commitments made at the United Nations Ocean Conference and aligns perfectly with the principles of the Living With Rivers initiative, using art to strengthen cooperation, raise environmental awareness, and promote the preservation of water resources. The French Institute in Vietnam, whose programming for the year focuses on the theme of water, actively supports this initiative as an artistic and financial partner.