The first talk of the new season was given by Chris Tracey and featured La Marseillaise. It was a talk that had been intended for quite some time and final planning coincided with controversy in the French media about the national anthem. Some of that polemic was included in the presentation.
The story started with Rouget de Lisle being asked by the mayor of Strasbourg to compose a stirring chant de guerre for the army of the Rhine. The year was 1792 which turned out to be a critical period of French history.
Chris explained how the battle song got its name and distributed copies of the lyrics for members. He explained how the song was at times in and out of favour as revolutionary fervour ebbed and flowed.
Directing members' attention to various YouTube sources - type in La Marseillaise and you will find hundreds of renditions - he explored the importance of the anthem to France in times of national crisis.
Next it was on to those polemiques beginning with Serge Gainsbourg's association with La Marseillaise. In 1979 he had recorded a reggae version entitles Aux Armes et caetera which had provoked outrage. Later he would bid at auction for a copy of the song, in which Rouget de Lisle had abbreviated his chorus using that same wording. This YouTube link conveys some of the tension of that controversy.
Another controversy involved President Jacques Chirac who left the stand at a football match when some supporters whistled during the playing of the anthem. In lighter vein, there was some bemusement when at an entertainment for G8 leaders, Jules Holland performed the Beatles song, All you need is love. The French president, mistaking the opening bars for La Marseillaise immediately stood to attention prompting other world leaders to do the same.
More recent controversy surrounded France's Justice Minister, Christiane Taubira who likened the public singing of the anthem to Karaoke. Her observation was a riposte to those who had criticised her for not singing along when it was performed at a public ceremony to commemorate the abolition of slavery. She made the point that when a soloist was giving the rendition it was all the more poignant and she preferred to listen on such occasions. The controversy rolled on over the summer with French actor, Lambert Wilson deploring what he called the xenophobic lyrics of the song. Both sides of that argument were considered.
Finally, a possible replacement or at least revision of the song was played. This had been produced by the organisation for a new Marseillaise and is available here. Opinion was divided among members perhaps proving that controversy and the anthem go hand in hand.. or step by step.
09 novembre 2014
29 septembre 2014
Photos from opening night
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| Brian Shanks and Maryvonne Le Roy |
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| Stringing conversation... |
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| The finished Scrabble board - version française bien sur |
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| Jonathan, Maryvonne, Seamus et Claudine.. |
10 septembre 2014
09 septembre 2014
Bulletin mensuel - septembre 2014
Chers Amis,
C’est la rentrée. Yes it’s that time of year when we settle back into our autumn routine. The Cercle Français de Belfast will be starting our new season with its first meeting on 17th September but I thought that you might also like to hear of a few other happenings with a French connection taking place in Belfast … or not too far away.
French Films at QFT
Fri 12 – Mon 15 & Thurs 18 Sept
Attila Marcel
Full of music, dance sequences and colourful production design, Attila Marcel takes its heightened reality cues from visionary modern directors such as Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Michel Gondry.
Director: Sylvain Chomet
Running Time: 1 Hr 46 Mins
Released: 2013
Country: France
Cast: Guillaume Gouix, Anne Le Ny, Bernadette Lafont
Subtitled
For full details of QFT’s September programme see …
French Dancing in the heart of Belfast
Our friends in Bal Feirste and BreizhEire will be back in Maddens for their monthly session on the 2nd Sat of each month (starting September 13th) with Bal Folk, a mixture of dances from across France. You will be delighted to know that they have come back from France with lots of new tunes and new dances too. . they can't wait to share!!
Saturday 13th September
Madden’s Bar, 74 Berry Street, Belfast from 5pm to 8pm
News from the l’Alliance Française de Dublin
Fondation AF: On joue sur la Terre
12 September - 31 OctoberAdmission free
The theme of the 4th International photography competition of the Fondation Alliance française was “On joue sur la Terre” and the winner of our own competition, Tommie Lehane, was one of 20 international finalists selected by the Grand Jury! l’Alliance Française de Dublin is proud to present selection of the best works submitted by Alliances Françaises from all around the globe!
Alliance Française de Dublin
Open Day 2014
Admission free
Open Day 2014
Admission free
Saturday 13 September – 11am-5pm
For full details of l’Alliance Française de Dublin September programme see ….
And, don’t forget the first meeting of the new season for the CercleFrançais de Belfast will take place in The Dark Horse café on Wednesday 17th September at 7.30pm.
A bientôt, Philip
02 septembre 2014
28 juillet 2014
French Book Giveaway
If you are in Dublin during the summer, up to 5 September, you might like to check out this offer from Alliance Française, Dublin. You’ll find them on the corner of Nassau and Kildare Street, at the side of Trinity College. There’s also a very nice café.
According to AFDublin:
"In order to make room for new books, the Library will be giving books away all summer long! Have a look as you pass through our Reception and Café – with paperbacks, graphic novels, non-fiction, children’s books, you never know what treasure you may unearth!All the books are free, but donations will be gratefully accepted and used for the upkeep of the Médiathèque."
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