Category: The arts

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to raise the funds to buy the treasures of Marcel Marceau, as his estate is set to be sold at bargain prices to pay off his debts.

The master of mime, who died in September 2007 aged 84, spent much of his earnings on helping theatrical productions and left debts behind which will be paid off through the sale of items such as costumes, photographs and texts.

But this means that much of Marcel Marceau’s affairs will just be sold at the going rate, something that has annoyed many in French theatre who believe a place should be found for many of his items so that people can see them.

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ONLY a handful of American artists have appeared in the Louvre, one of them was Joe Downing. Although he passed away in 2007, film maker Chistopher Strong met him whilst filming his Treasures of France tour, here he writes about their meeting.

You don’t get to have tea with Picasso by being an ordinary Joe, and Joe Downing is far from being ordinary.

He’s an exceptional artist with an incredible story. An honest to goodness country gentleman from Horsecave, Kentucky. Joe’s love affair with France began more than fifty years ago, when he stood on the banks of the Seine, gazing at Notre Dame.

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THE Riviera Woman website is taking time out from the online world to dip a toe into the real world with a get together later this month.

The event marks the first anniversary of the website which looks to offer ways for people on the Mediterranean coast to link up, share ideas and network.

Site editor Anna Fill said: “We have some brilliant and talented women living along the Rivieras of France and Italy and I am looking forward to meeting more. And the event is open to men too, I wouldn’t like anyone to think I am on a single mission.”

The meet-up takes place on Thursday, February 26 at the Capocaccia Bar, Monte Carlo.

Related article: Bringing together Riviera women

A winter morning by Craig McGinty

IF you are out and about in France this Christmas don’t forget to keep your camera close at hand just in case you cross a lovely winter scene.

The This French Life Flickr pool has had some new additions in recent days and you can take a browse around, as well as discover more about the photographers behind the pics.

A basic account with Flickr is free, and it’s an easy way to display your favourite photographs to friends and family, but if you explore some of the photos posted by others you can discover many hidden corners of France.

FOLLOWING the end of World War Two the Association Bourguignonne Culturelle (ABC) was established and has ever since been involved in promoting and developing cultural activity, not only in Dijon itself, but throughout the region.

Based in Dijon there are now 1,300 members and in the 2007-2008 season 50,000 spectators attended 40 of their productions.

ABC is classified as one of the leading contributors of cultural entertainment in the Burgundy region and they are rightfully proud that they bring together a programme rich in a diverse sphere of entertainment.

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I AM sure there are many people who would like to check the tyres on their racing bike and head off around the back roads of France.

Well US-born video film maker Christopher Strong has done just that with his Bicycle Gourmet’s Treasures of France tour, which fulfilled his dream of cycling around the country visiting interesting places and meeting entertaining characters.

Here Christopher writes a Q&A style piece outlining the travels he undertook around France, which took in total just over two years.

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YOU can tell that autumn hangs heavy in the French air when wood smoke drifts through villages and chestnuts are in abundance.

And as Clare, of Dordogne Quilter fame, spotted in a shop window those chestnuts pop up everywhere and even have their own special kitchen equipment.

If you have any photographs you want to share with readers of This French Life then just pop them in the Flickr photo pool.

Or if you are a little shy, why not spend some time browsing around the work of others and explore France with them.

I’VE got Irene Nemirovsky’s Suite Francaise, which tells of her experiences in France under German occupation during the 1940s, next on my reading list.

But Irene Nemirovsky’s story didn’t come to light until 60 years later when her daughter published the manuscript that was found in a suitcase, and it is these papers that form the centrepiece of an exhibition in New York’s Museum of Jewish Heritage.

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IF you need a dose of France from a far then drop in on the This French Life Flickr group, which offers pics of everything from old bicycles to Mont St Michel.

And don’t forget if you have visited France over the summer, or have some favourite photographs from past adventures, feel free to add them to the group and share them with others.