13.50.a - France, French, Francophiles
As the holidays approach I remind myself of important things. I'm involved in a heated French debate. Jacqueline & I are considering a 'rogue' #Bookchat book. What do you think? Gift: No Paywall today
Today at a Glance: your PAID weekly newsletter
France, French, Francophiles
Have you seen Napoleon? & #Bookchat
Holiday Traditions in Provence
Thank you for your support.
Bonjour,
If you’re new here I’d like to introduce myself and welcome you to this newsletter and this generous warm global community of Francophiles.
I’m Judy, the Fondatrice of MyFrenchlife.org and le Bulletin is our weekly newsletter. I hope that you enjoy your subscription and I’d like you to know that I enjoy hearing from reader members and that includes you. Please drop me a note to say hi and tell me your story info [at] MyFrenchLife [dot] org - I would like to meet you.
If you’re enjoying this ‘le Bulletin’ please consider upgrading your subscription to provide support.
Merci. Judy -9.12.23
1. France, French, Francophiles…
As the holidays draw near, many of us seem to still have long lists of things to do and people to see, myself included.
Having just returned from a wonderful holiday, and just having held our last #Bookchat event for 2023 (more on that soon), I’m also facing blocked, clogged-up, bulging email inboxes. Our fabulous Contributors have been very busy and I’m facing what feels like an avalanche of wonderful articles to be edited and formatted. This is something I enjoy and of course, it’s a great problem/challenge to face. So, head down and into all of those Francophile stories I dive… I may never reappear :)
I’m reminded, that it’s important even at this busy time of year to pause, draw breath, and reflect. I like to reflect on the good and the not-so-good, and let things settle in my mind. I like to immerse myself in gratitude, empathy, and more… What were the highlights and what lessons have I learned, or could I focus on to improve both myself and what I do?
One of the things I’ve learned this year is that you’re a generous lot. You’ve subscribed and you’re supporting my work. I find it hard to explain how much this means to me when the words “Thank you” don’t seem enough, but your support of this type is, well… inspiring! I feel inspired to do more and do it better, and to try harder to understand your preferences… So, please do not hesitate to send me a message at any time to make suggestions, or to complain, or to just share your point of view - all are welcome.
This week during a fun, lively, MyFrenchLife #Bookchat event, Marshall, a member of a few years, from Florida asked a very good question, when he said:
“What makes a Francophile? How important is learning the language to being a Francophile?”
Marshall describes himself as an “upper intermediate French language learner” and said that that descriptor may be a lifetime one as the jump to advanced seems so great.
His question had me thinking. To many, learning and striving to master the language, is an intrinsic way of understanding the French people, the culture, history, and more. But what if you have other interests and you’d prefer to indulge or immerse yourself in French cuisine rather than learn the language? I was challenging my longtime view that it was imperative.
In other words, I was chatting to myself… or rather having a little heated French debate in my head. (Of course, I would always win because I was running both sides: the pro and the against arguments.)
Eventually, I concluded that I agreed with Marshall. The French language is at the core of being a Francophile. The language provides such insight and aids understanding of the way of thinking and the way of life. It’s the language that provides even more depth and understanding of French people, history, art, literature, cuisine, debating, politics, and well, little everyday customs… everything French.
What do you think? Do you think that trying to learn the French language is core to being a Francophile? I’d love to hear your view… leave me a comment below.
2. Have you seen Napoleon? & #Bookchat
Behind the scenes here there is a discussion about this film. There are so many things to discuss. Next week I’ll be publishing a review by Jacqueline Dubois Pasquier. Watch out for it.
I hope to be seeing this film in the next couple of weeks and I’ll be joining the discussion. But, I must firstly say that I have a negative reaction to films that are 2 hours in duration - it seems excessive. Nevertheless, there seems much more that’s being discussed/debated. For instance, history; it sounds more like historical fiction to me - what’s your view? And apparently, there is a strange mixture of accents… is that so? In addition, there is a view that Josephine is not portrayed in any sort of favourable light, why is that?
So, there seems to be an opportunity coming up for a chat/debate about this film and its interpretation of an important time in France.
Jacqueline and I have been chatting about perhaps popping a ‘rogue’ book into our #Bookchat Book Club. We will continue with our usual reading, but this book is not a best-selling or award-winning French book but a contemporary book written in English (with a French translation). The book is part of a trilogy: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland.
We have not as yet decided, but I’m listening to Jacqueline’s argument, and as it’s one of her favourite books I’m paying attention.
What is your view? Would you be interested in reading this book with us with Jacqueline as the facilitator, followed by a #Bookchat Event in early 2024?
3. Holiday Traditions in Provence
A lovely article this week by Traci Parent who splits her life between the US and Nice, writes about: “Les 13 Desserts” and asks: “Is this the best holiday custom? Les treize desserts de Noël provençaux”
“Why have one dessert when you can have THIRTEEN? / TREIZE ? This beloved holiday custom is known throughout Provence, although there are some variations between towns and families. (Each believing their way is correct, or the best, bien sûr).
The tradition is steeped in religious symbolism, the 13 desserts honoring the number of people around the table at the Last Supper – Jesus and his 12 Disciples. These desserts, really small bites, are placed at the table on Christmas Eve and remain there for three days so guests have a chance to sample each one…” You can discover more here.
4. Thank you so much… for your support
I thank you for your support and for paying for a subscription. I’m very grateful. Please drop me a line at any time, even just to say “bonjour”.
Un grand merci
Á bientôt
Judy MacMahon
PS: Check your inbox. Watch out for the FREE ‘le Bulletin’ 13.50 - Why we love France: 60 Francophiles can’t be wrong - surely? which will be sent to ALL subscribers very soon today - Don’t miss it.
PPS: And did you know that this week le Bulletin is numbered 13.50, being 13 years and 50 weeks, or over 13 years I’ve written 700+ newsletters to you!
Are you enjoying them?
On one of my visits:
Saying farewell to this wonderful apartment, and Paris, yet again.
I loved that book and read all 3 (a long time ago). Great choice!
Non. Oui. Parfois. Peut-être. Je ne sait pas. Ch-pa. Qui sait ?