14.30 - Understanding France better
Bonjour et Bienvenue
The excitement remains high! The 2024 Summer Olympics are in progress. Paris is not crowded. Summer has arrived at last! And all is well in Paris as Parisians, the French, and the entire world celebrate the extraordinary Olympic competitors.
I’m thrilled to welcome you here to read le Bulletin: both new and long-time readers to this FREE version of le Bulletin newsletter. I hope you enjoy it with deep & rich stories from MyFrenchLife Magazine Contributors. You’ll hear about their experiences, tips, and recommendations, on how best to experience France beyond the cliché.
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Judy - 3.8.’24
1. How to understand France better? Opening ceremonies et al…
When I created MyFrenchLife Magazine 14 years and 30 weeks ago (hence edition 14:30) I intended to assist Francophiles to discover and better understand France beyond the cliché.
I included myself among these Francophiles, as I wanted to be a recipient of those discoveries and to develop a deeper understanding of the language, history, art, literature, culture, and beyond all to better understand French people. As a student of French (level B2 at that time) I realised there was much to learn. I realised that my studies about France had only just begun
I had become aware that fluency was far beyond a C1 certification. That fluency could not be obtained until I had a deeper knowledge and understanding of all these things: history, art, culture, language… and so much more. Allow me to explain…
Without this deeper knowledge, there is no nuance!
Jokes are not understood, or are misunderstood. There is little that’s more embarrassing than not laughing at a joke, or laughing at the wrong time when those around you are laughing. uncontrollably.
Like many older countries France and its history is complex.
I still struggle to master the French language…
I like to focus on words that DO NOT have direct translations,
rather than those that are instantly translated.
I get lost down the wormholes of etymology. do you?
WHY, you may ask?
Well, it is these words, which in my view tell us more about France, about French history, the French culture... and this is the knowledge and comprehension I’m constantly seeking.
All these thoughts were with me as I watched the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, this last week.
It was so very clear to me that an appreciation of this Opening Ceremony was beyond the spectacle, that it no doubt was.
There were so many references to French history and culture! Some of which I understood immediately, and equally there were those about which I was not all sure.
You probably remember that I’m insatiably curious, so this suited me perfectly.
And this I loved! I tend to enjoy obscurity and ambiguity.
Why?
Well, I had to dig deep into my knowledge, and emotions, and also I had to do some research…, it was not until then that I felt that I better appreciated, not only the spectacle but the deeper and more complex meaning of what I was watching/had watched.
And the reaction?
As you’re aware there has been an uproar - there were at least two camps of reactions. One group disliked it and worse, (some were offended), and then some loved the Opening Ceremony.
To me, this JO 2024 Paris Opening Ceremony was brilliant.
It encapsulated the depth and complexity of France: both historically and within this complex contemporary world in which we live!
Yes, it was bold, yes it was edgy, yes risks were taken, yes it was innovative, and most certainly, in my view, it enabled France to stand proud as it celebrated the country it is today!
It was impressive! To me, this was France 2024! Bravo France.
NOW LET THE SPORT BEGIN!
Judy
PS: I’ve included references to commentary by others who may have different views and beliefs to me… for those of you who would like to explore further:
a) Paris Opening Ceremony: How a LOT got lost in translation by Véronique Savoye
During the opening ceremony some international viewers (it’s rumored over 2 billion people watched the show worldwide) noticed commentators from their homeland appeared unprepared as the lengthy event unfolded. From long minutes of silence to obsessive “Wow’s!” journalists’ comments were no help when trying to understand some of the carefully orchestrated and choreographed “tableaux.”
They simply had no clue, those professionals. Maybe they hadn’t done their homework. Maybe they thought they didn’t need a local expert by their side. Maybe they were convinced they knew Paris (and France) well enough to pull it off.
Wow, indeed.
Read the entire commentary/article - I recommend that you do→
b) What the Paris Olympics opening ceremony can teach us about first drafts
The freedom that comes from saying "oui" to creativity and chaos by Courtnery Maum.
Friends, writers, writer friends: DID YOU SEE THE OPENING CEREMONY? Marie texted me this morning about it, and I couldn’t agree more with her assessment: “PARIS GOES HARD.”
It is true, my friends. Paris goes très hard. At a bar after the Kinderhook event, we imagined what the brainstorming session must have looked like when the ceremony’s artistic director Thomas Jolly pitched his zany ideas. Marie decided that Jolly’s mantra must be “Every idea is a oui.”
Every idea is a oui! You know what you get when you approach creativity from an abundance mindset? Read the entire article - its very interesting.
c) “ The whole ceremony was very *you* “ by — Comte de Saint-Germain -
Like Paris itself, the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony had many layers: some visible, many hidden, and a few misunderstood. Yes, there was Joan of Arc and there was blasphemy —just not where you think.”
Read this entire article
d) The 10 Women who were floating in the Seine - Did you recognise them all?
During the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, ten exceptional women were honored with golden statues emerging from the Seine.
These personalities, coming from diverse worlds such as art, politics, sports and literature, were celebrated to the rhythm of the Marseillaise sung by Axelle Saint-Cirel. A strong symbol when we know that Paris currently has 260 statues of men against only 40 of women.”
Read this list and post about them →
And another article/post about these women →
e) “We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together… “
The organising committee of Paris 2024 has apologised to Catholics and other Christian groups who were outraged by a scene during the opening ceremony that evoked Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting with drag queens, a transgender model and a singer made up as the Greek god of wine.
The unintended parody of the biblical scene, performed against the backdrop of the River Seine, was actually intended to interpret Dionysus and raise awareness “of the absurdity of violence between human beings”, organisers wrote on X…
France has a rich Catholic heritage but also has a long tradition of secularism and anti-clericalism. Blasphemy is legal and considered by many to be an essential pillar of freedom of speech. Supporters of the tableau praised its message of inclusivity and tolerance.
Thomas Jolly, the artistic director behind the flamboyant opening ceremony, said religious subversion had never been his intention. “We wanted to talk about diversity. Diversity means being together. We wanted to include everyone, as simple as that,” he said on Saturday as stsed in The Guardian.
f) Nerd alert Substack Note by Laurent François: an interesting exposé
Nerd alert! Last night, I embarked on a delightful journey through the official Olympics Instagram account, scrolling through over 11,000 posts from their very first on May 20th, 2012, to July 30th, 2024. For social media enthusiasts, this account is a goldmine of history.The early posts are particularly emotional, capturing the essence of what social media used to be. You’ll find quotes with lo-fi templates, celebrations of the first athletes on the platform, seasonal content like Halloween pumpkins, and charming details such as nail art. These posts exude a sense of randomness, fun, and exploratory vibes. As you delve deeper, a couple of editorial pillars emerge that are still relevant today:”… read on.
Now… moving on… let’s find out what’s been happening at MyFrenchLife Magazine & le Bulletin newsletter this week.
2. I invite you to follow us on Instagram → @MaVieFrançaise
Our account is bursting with news, views and articles, video chats, poetry, introductions to new magazine contributors… and more… follow us and join in @maviefrancaise … See you there soon, I hope.
AND, And, and... and don’t forget the weekly detailed guest post by Jennifer Andrewes who is now 511 km into her 2500km solo walk, from Canterbury UK, to Rome via France. Switzerland and Italy. Beyond her stamina, persistence, physical exertion, mental health and so much more… Look at her beautiful photos! We celebrate you, Jennifer!
And here is a snapshot of the @MaVieFrancaise Instagram account this week.
3. In My FrenchLife Magazine you’ll find these new articles ↓ ↓
Escapades:
→ Jardin du Lautaret: An alpine botanical garden and its glacier - Part 2
by Anne Thomas
Arts and Culture:
→ The Mystery of Miss.Tic
by Jennifer Bragg
→ Simplicity: Black and White Flower Stamens — Haiku
by Monique Eurich
Vie Française:
→ How to Kiss a French Person
by Keith Van Sickle
Un grand merci
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Judy MacMahon
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