Hennessy 250 Tour conclusion

About the Hennessy 250 Tour Exhibition
1765-2015. 250 remarkable years. In 2015, with the Hennessy 250 Tour, the Maison wished to pay tribute to all those who have forged its success on five continents. Conceived as an unprecedented, hybrid cultural event, The Hennessy 250 Tour is a major traveling exhibition dedicated to those who have made Hennessy what it is today, through an artistic and cultural approach.
As orchestrated by art curator Hervé Mikaeloff in collaboration with Hennessy heritage expert Raphaël Gérard and scenographer Nathalie Crinière, The Hennessy 250 Tour created a 360° perspective on the legendary Cognac maker’s past, present and future through a trove of archival materials, portraits, and films recounting the Hennessy family’s rendezvous with important moments in History and its global adventure.
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With this final salute for the Hennessy 250 Tour, Hennessy concludes an exciting chapter in the Maison’s history. Throughout the year, Hennessy delighted in celebrating cherished bonds in destinations selected for their significant historical and cultural affinities with the brand. They are, in chronological order:
  • Guangzhou, China (March): the international launch of the Tour took place at the spectacular Zaha Hadid Opera House. Hennessy’s ties with China date to the opening of the Suez Canal in the mid-19thcentury, which placed China just one month’s journey from the French port of Marseille. From there, steamships followed the itinerary of Marco Polo, tracing a “Cognac Route” to Pondichery, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.
  • Dublin, Ireland (April): To honor Richard Hennessy’s homeland, an exclusive gala dinner for 100 guests was held at Dublin City Hall. For the occasion, acclaimed photographer Anton Corbijn devoted a series of portraits to those who have made Hennessy what it is, including Irish businessman Louis Fitzgerald, whose legendary bars, hotels and pubs have been one of the driving forces behind Hennessy’s development in Ireland for 47 years.
  • Moscow, Russia (May): Feted at the New Manege, the Maison’s special connection with Russia dates back to 1818 when, to celebrate her son Tsar Alexander I’s birthday, dowager empress Maria Feodorovna commissioned two tierçons (540-litre barrels). From that day onward, Hennessy continued along the “imperial road” and won over the most demanding of Russian palates. Today, the Hennessy Foundation in Russia supports artistic societies and initiatives that embody the Russian culture, from supporting tomorrow’s talents to promoting classical events through modern media.
  • New York City, US (July): In New York, the Hennessy 250 Tour honored a treasured historical relationship that dates back to the time of the American Revolution. A tribute at Lincoln Center coincided with the return to American shores of the legendary Hermione, “Frigate of Liberty”, which carried in her cargo the Hennessy 250 Collector Blend. It also celebrated the many dynamic exchanges that make the brand a part of the American fabric of culture, music and the arts, as reflected by the Maison’s signature slogan, “Never Stop, Never Settle”. One highlight of the event: an impromptu concert by the hip hop artist Nas.
  • Johannesburg, South Africa (August): To celebrate the multi-faceted dimension of a relationship that began with “Henny’s” arrival in South Africa 150 years ago, the Circa Gallery became the stage for a pan-African cultural and artistic melting pot. The Maison is steadfast in its commitment to the African continent: In 2010, for example, Hennessy participated in the 50th anniversary celebration of Nigerian independence, creating a special edition of V.S to honor the milestone.
The Hennessy 250 Tour has been beautifully chronicled each step of the way by reporter and photographerJeremy Suyker via a dedicated blog on www.hennessy.com, as well as on Facebook and Instagram. In 2016, the adventure is set for a homecoming; any updates will appear here first.
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THE HENNESSY TIME BARREL
An important highlight of the Hennessy 250 Tour, the Time Barrel is a repository that upholds the Hennessy legacy of transmission: just as the Maison preserves its eaux?de?vie for future generations, this installation invited visitors to leave a mark on the future by storing digital messages here and now for future generations.
Over 3,000 participants from destinations worldwide contributed wishes for the future, all of which will be revealed during the Maison’s next anniversary celebrations in 2065.
The two winners of the draw won a trip to Cognac to visit Hennessy as the guests of Maison Hennessy. Their winning messages may be viewed on www.hennessy.com. One of the winners, Asana Greenstreet of the UK, resumed: “I’m excited by the whole idea that so many people came together to remember what the world was like in 2015, and to name our aspirations for the future. I hope that we’re all still around to be able to see the messages we left.”
ABOUT HENNESSY
In 2015, the Maison Hennessy celebrates 250 years of an exceptional adventure that has linked two families, the Hennessys and the Fillioux, for seven generations and spanned five continents. It began in the French region of Cognac, the seat from which the Maison has constantly passed down the best the land has to give, from one generation to the next. In particular, such longevity is thanks to those people, past and present, who have ensured Hennessy’s success both locally and around the world. Hennessy’s success and longevity are also the result of the values the Maison has upheld since its creation: unique savoir-faire, a constant quest for innovation, and an unwavering commitment to Creation, Excellence, Legacy, and Sustainable Development. Today, these qualities are the hallmark of a House – a crown jewel in the LVMH Group – that crafts the most iconic, prestigious Cognacs in the world.