It is very unusual for us to visit an overseas city twice, especially within the short space of one month! Well, there is a very special reason for the trip this time. Firstly, Jackie is invited to officially open the 3rd edition of Paris Cinema and secondly, he is to receive the Grand Medal of the city from the Mayor of Paris himself.

Again we feel that the best way to share our trip with you is the ¡§Diary¡¨ form, except this time, we'll use the official schedule from the French organizers instead. And although it is only a short three (3) day visit, we have lots of photos to share! Hence we'll do it in three (3) installments, on a day-to-day basis.

The 1 st Day-June 28

• 6:50 AM / arrival at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Aude Hesbert, head of programming and Philippe Reilhac, general manager will welcome you at the airport.

3 Renault Vel Satis will be expecting you and will take you to the Crillon Palace.

Fabrice and Michel, your drivers, will be at your disposal during your stay in Paris.

• The drivers will pick you up at your hotel at 6:45 PM to the City Hall ( Formal dressing ).

• Rˆmgine Hatchondo (Head of cinema at the City Hall) will take you to the Mayor's Office.

• 7:30 PM / Jackie will be handed the medal by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, on the 28 th of June in the evening at the City Hall (Hotel de Ville). Isabelle Glachant will translate.

Between 8 PM and 10 PM : dining cocktail at the City Hall (and very selected meetings).

• 9 PM / Interview for the NATIONAL NEWS of the French TV : FRANCE 2 - Direct (10-15 min).

• 9:45 PM / Jackie, Costa-Gavras are going to the front of the City Hall together.

• 10:00 PM / Jackie will open the festival to the public with ¡§ Around the World in 80 days ¡¨ (outdoor screening in front of the City Hall).

Mr. Costa Gavras, Paris Cinema President, and Christophe Girard, Head of Culture for the City of Paris will introduce Jackie Chan to the audience and Jackie will say some words (Aude will send you basic lines for the speech).

Michael Youn will be there with you. Isabelle Glachant will translate.

Jackie welcomed by Christophe Girard, Head of Culture
for the city of Paris.

The Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe welcomes Jackie to the City Hall (Hotel de Ville) and...

...shares a hand shake with Willie.

The Mayor awards the Grand Medal (the highest honor of the city of Paris and usually awarded to only Royalties and Dignitaries of Foreign countries).

 Followed by the Certificate.

Jackie makes his acceptance speech.

With some of the VIP Guests at the cocktail reception.

Too many press and autograph hunters at the reception, so we were taken on a tour of the City Hall instead. The City Hall is a beautiful old building with no air-conditioning and a lot of steps to climb. Poor me, completely drenched with sweat, felt as if had just gone to the gym!

Amidst pouring rain, Jackie declared the 3rd edition of Paris Cinema open! So touched by the warmth and enthusiasm of the French audience, Jackie jumped down from the stage to shake hands with fans in the rain.

by Willie