Prochainement!

 

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La Fête à Wallace Park, Lisburn

photo: Rym Akhonzada

The bandstand in Wallace Park, Lisburn was the focal point for 14 July Bastille Day celebrations. Organised as part of the City's Park Life programme to encourage use of public spaces, it was pleasing to see the many "citizens" who gathered to occupy the bandstand area. The idea was to create a café style atmosphere by creating a round of patio tables covered in red checked cloths. A large public address system squeezed out French accordion music while people organised themselves with refreshments.

A coffee truck was stationed nearby and seemed to be doing quite a trade in not only coffee but ice cream. Local restaurant Periwig had prepared a French themed menu of treats including a liver pâté parfait served on toasted brioche; fishcakes; macarons in a variety of colours and profiteroles served with hot chocolate sauce.

Anthea McWilliams of the Sir Richard Wallace Trust moved to the stand to tell the story of Sir Richard and his connection to both Lisburn and Paris. She referred to his legacy of the "peoples park" itself, to the Wallace School which she attended and to the Wallace Fountains, his enduring gift to the people of France. Anthea shared details of the Wallace walking tour and encouraged everyone to give it a go.

After another musical interlude, Natasha and Alison from Interlinguani, a local language teaching school organised a glove puppet show in French for the many children who had come along. They then entertained them with a story, encouraging them to learn and use simple French words. They offered prizes of chocolate, checking first with mums and dads that that was okay, to those who were the loudest, the quietest and those who got the French just right.

To the left of the bandstand there was a constant queue of parents and young children lining up to have their faces painted. Moustaches were everywhere, Pierrot faces and some aristocratic Marie Antoinette looks too.

Interlinguani shared a gazebo with the Cercle Français de Belfast. Rym, Director of the school was kept busy meeting parents and supplying their children with colouring-in pictures and pens. Alongside, Hilary from the Cercle was just as busy, blowing balloons. A lot of her effort was punctured however as several youngsters burst their balloons to discover the little paper message in French that had been placed in each. Nearby, leisure staff had roped off a piste de pétanque and several adults and children tried their hand at throwing boules, many for the first time.

Back to the stand and the Bailies Mills Accordion Band had taken their seats to play an assortment of French standards including the occasional rendition of La Marseillaise. Beret and marine shirted musicians had dressed for the part adding touches of good humour to the proceedings.

Anthea took to the stage again, this time to read from the Richard Wallace Storybook created by the Trust. Its simple style and illustrations appealed to the children and were also appreciated by their elders. More puppets and story time from Alison and Natasha, then back to the accordionists to bring the event to an end.

Carolyn, event organiser with Lisburn City's Leisure Services, was pleased at the turn out. She was particularly pleased that so many French nationals had participated. Although a hundred or more people had attended, more important than the number was the fact that people had got together around the bandstand to enjoy the occasion and use the facility. Given his close connections to France, no doubt Sir Richard would have been pleased that his people's park had been the focal point for a successful local celebration of La Fête Nationale.

 

 

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Lisburn celebrates Bastille day

 

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Musiciens

Some of our talented musicians on the evening of La Fête de la Musique

Fête de la Musique: 21 juin 2012

More than 60 people turned up on 21 June at the Dark horse Coffee Shop, Belfast to celebrate the Fête de la Musique.  The music, song and dance event was skilfully orchestrated by Vannessa FRANCHETTI in association  with the CFB.  Vanessa's team encouraged and cajoled participants to take to the floor, while The Dark Horse crew were kept busy making up cheeseboards and serving wine.

Many French people came along and it was great to hear the language punctuating the lively atmosphere.  Many complimented the choice of venue and even though the weather wasn't great we were able to fêter la musique au sec! 

Salut

The Cercle Français de Belfast is one a number of French clubs supported by the Alliance Française de Londres. Our members are people who have a keen interest in all things French and comprise both francophones and francophiles.  We meet on nine or ten occasions during the year – between September and June.  Below you will find details of our programme for 2011 - 2012. 

If you would like to receive a monthly email reminding of our meetings and giving details other events with a French connection taking place in Belfast please email me at ..

cfbelfast@gmail.com

Hope to see you at one of our events soon.

A bientôt,  Philip

Programme d’événements  2011-2012

Mardi 18 octobre 2011 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast.

Tintin                                                    Brendan STOREY

As Steven Spielberg takes on translating the famous bande dessinée for the big screen we are delighted to welcome Brendan Storey of International Books Dublin, whose bookshop specialises in the distribution of Tintin’s French materials published by Moulinsart.                                                              English

Mercredi 9 novembre 2011 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast. 

Résistance                                            

Jim HOLLAND

In this multimedia format, Jim explores aspects of resistance in wartime France including the SOE, the Underground and la résistance san sarme.                                                English / French

Mercredi 7 décembre 2011 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast.

Art Nouveau                          Details LATER

Our previous art talks have been among our highest attended events and we think this one will appeal to a wide audience.  We think the venue at the Dark Horse will suit perfectly!                          English

Mercredi 11 janvier 2012 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast.

La Fête des Rois et Bal Musette                                      

Vanessa FRANCHETTI

We celebrate New Year, French style with some galettes, crowns and wine.  This time Vanessa organises a Bal Musette wth some demonstrations and plenty of music to get your feet dancing.  English / French

Mercredi 8 février 2012 à 19.30 heures,

Dunmurry Golf Club, Belfast

1000kms: La Loire à vélo et en voiture                       

Claudine McKEOWN

Last year, Claudine’s husband Seamus shared with us his love of cycling and the Tour de France.  This time we hear how the two covered 1000kms in the Loire area à vélo et en voiture.

English / French

Mercredi 7 mars 2012 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast.

Calvados                                             

Chris TRACEY
After last year’s dégustation  members thought it would be a good idea to twist our tongues round some Calvados.  More a faits divers than an in depth treatment there will nonetheless be an opportunity to taste or sniff a little, including some from a special bottle kindly donated by Sandra Perry.                                     English / French

Mercredi 18 avril 2012 à 19.30 heures,

Dunmurry Golf Club, Belfast.

Le Mont St Michel

Ray LARGAN

Ray and his wife, Catherine have visited this world heritage site several times and Ray couples some fascinating historical details along with personal anecdotes.                         English

Mercredi 9 mai 2012 à 19.30 heures,

Dunmurry Golf Club, Belfast.

Annual Celebration Dinner                                  

We stay at DGC for another evening of superb food, wine and chat. In keeping with previous years we will have an after-dinner speaker who will share with us their experiences of France and things French.

Mercredi 16 mai 2012 à 19.30 heures,

The Dark Horse Coffee House, Commercial Court, Belfast.

Assemblée générale et actualités en ligne

Our AGM with a difference.  After the formal business of the evening we will go on line to browse French media sites, suggested by members, on a large screen.  This should stimulate conversation!