From the President

 Chers tous,

A little birdie (two in fact!) told me that with nearly 40 members present, great food and excellent hosts (as always!), and no rain despite the forecast, the Welcome Party was a success all round. Many thanks to Lilias and Mike for their hospitality and congratulations to all of you for your involvement in the evening.

Our French lunch-debate took place on Tuesday 25 February at the Toast Cafe Pambula, bringing together 11 guests around a very convivial and chatty table. The atmosphere was warm and friendly, and the food, as always, was a perfect blend of flavours to complement the very lively discussions taking place at the table. The group left the café with smiles on their faces, looking forward to the next meeting.

This month, you will find a very interesting article on pp 3-4 written by Wal, as well as an article on the Lascaux cave in our Coin Français/French Corner section; I highly recommend that you read both articles.

Should you want to practise your French, the French comedian and actress Tania Dutel will be performing at the Canberra Street Theatre on May 20th. Her style is characterised by feminist and frank humour, tackling personal issues with a certain audacity. The show will be performed entirely in French.

Finally, for fans of French cinema, you can find the programme of the Canberra French Film Festival by clicking on the following link: https://www.affrenchfilmfestival.org/films/canberra

News from France:

You may remember that last year, in one of the ‘French Corners’, I talked about the famous zinc roofs of Paris, I just want to add that the skills of Parisian zinc roofers and ornamentalists have been included on UNESCO's official list of the  Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.  Lonely Planet has named Toulouse as the top city destination in its Best in Travel ranking 2025. Known for its stunning  terra-cotta architecture, the city is often referred to as the “Pink City.” The travel guidebook publisher said that the city is  offering a maze of charming streets ‘overflowing with art galleries in repurposed industrial spaces, excellent food and  scenic river and canal banks’. A destination to consider for your next holiday in France… 

The people of the village of Dorlisheim in Alsace have set the record for the longest tarte flambée (a traditional Alsatian  dish called flammekueche - recipe published in La Mouette in June 2021) at 45.85 m, beating the previous record of  38.80 m set in June 2022. To bake this giant version, the locals built a special device consisting of a double oven and 46  metres of stainless steel plates forming a tunnel. The recipe required 35 kg of pastry, 35 kg of cheese and cream, 40 kg of  bacon, 15 kg of onions and two and a half hours of cooking. The tarte was then sliced and sold for charity.

A très bientôt,

From the President

 Chers tous,

I hope you all had a wonderful festive season and also that your New Year's resolutions include another year of membership with our Alliance Française. We ended 2024 on a high note with a particularly successful Coupe d’Antibes, 22 members in attendance and a hard-fought battle, brilliantly won by Robert McCombie and Philip Woof, followed by Gabriel Roberts, Ray Coutts-Smith and Mike Warren by a single point. Well done to all.

The following week, 30 members gathered around 3 tables at the Sapphire Club to celebrate Christmas and the end of the year in good spirits. You will find photos of the two events on pages 3 and 4.

No French January would be complete without the Galette des Rois (King’s Cake), this flaky pastry, filled with frangipane, which comes with a hidden fève (a small charm) and is accompanied by a golden paper crown. As you may remember, the lucky person who finds the fève becomes ‘king’ or ‘queen’ for the day. Keen to keep this delightful tradition alive and in order to create a moment of conviviality, we shared a galette at our Papotage et Blahblah session on Monday 13 January. Our Queen for the day was Jessica Wyers.

I am writing these few lines from California, where I am visiting my son, which means that I will not be able to join you for the Welcome Party, on 8 February 2025, but I am sure that my absence won't affect the good cheer and conversation of the evening! While I am on the subject of the Welcome Party, here is an idea for the famous ‘bring a plate’: as you know, on 2 February the French celebrate La Chandeleur, also known as the Festival of Candles, a day dedicated to the making and eating of crêpes; crêpes can be savoury or sweet, so perhaps some of you might decide to bring a plate of crêpes to the party...

I have just discovered from the French Ambassador's New Year's speech that 2024 marked 80 years of diplomatic relations between France and Australia, with the French flag being raised for the first time in Canberra on 9 November 1944 in what was to become the first French Embassy.

For film lovers, the 36th Alliance Française French Film Festival returns in 2025. In Canberra, it will be held at the Palace Electric Cinema from 6 March to 9 April 2025. Take a seat, put on your glasses, grab a cup or glass of your favourite drink, and embark on a pleasurable read through our newsletter.

Bonne lecture, Sylvie

From the President

 Welcome to our December newsletter!

My ‘Mot’ this month is more like a dot point presentation, but I figure it is more important to share facts and news with you than to worry about prose!

·        As the New Year approaches, I invite you to continue your adventure and relationship with our Alliance Française by renewing your membership for 2025, so that you won’t miss out on any of the exciting things we have planned for the year ahead!  You will find out what is in store for 2025 on page 3 of you La Mouette.

·        Last month, 12 members of our regular French speaking group got together for lunch at Florabel Café & Bar in Eden. The food was very pleasant, the conversation was lively, in short we all had a great time and are ready to do it again at another venue, early next year, this time we will be meeting in Bermagui.

·        Continuing with recent events, on Wednesday 27 November, Lilias and Mike once again hosted a French wine tasting, presented by Justin from Amazing Grapes Canberra and attended by 15 members and 6 guests. Mike told me that it was a very enjoyable and happy evening, with lots of conversation, he did not mention the wine, but I am pretty sure it was the wine that got the tongues wagging!

·        The reopening of Notre-Dame: the reopening ceremonies will begin on December 7 and 8, 2024, followed by an octave of events until December 15, including two concerts of Jean-Sébastien Bach’s Magnificat on December 17 and 18.

·        Once again, Christmas is just around the corner and its magic is gradually taking over the streets, shops and homes. It is time to decorate the house, think about the menu and plan the celebrations. To get you in the spirit, you will find articles dedicated to Christmas in this issue. Chocolate is inextricably linked with the sweets and pleasures of Christmas. Individual chocolates appear behind the windows of the Advent calendar and on the Christmas table, to the delight of all gourmets the world over. I am celebrating this nutty, velvety treat with a finger-licking gourmet dessert, perfect for your Christmas menu. So if, like me, you love chocolate, try the recipe on page 8 of you La Mouette.

·        Before the year ends, take a moment to celebrate the festive season with us by taking part in the Coupe d’Antibes, on Friday 13 December and our Christmas Party, on Friday 20 December.   

·        On behalf of the entire team of the Alliance Française, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your continued support and participation and to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, un très joyeux Noël et une excellente nouvelle année.

·        See you all in the New Year (and on 13 and 20 December!)

Sylvie

From the President

 Chers tous,

As the year draws to a close, cultural life in our Alliance will be busy, with some exciting events on the agenda. I recommend that you take a look at the programme on page 2 of your La Mouette.

First of all, I am delighted to announce that registration for the end-of-year event (cultural & musical dinner and Christmas party) is officially open! As you know we are all invited to take to the stage with short skits, songs, musical items, poetry or whatever we would like to present for a fun filled end of year activity. I hope that many of you will come and share your talents. Send me your details (see registration form on page 4 of La Mouette) before the end of the month by email to mansynette@gmail.com

Many thanks to those who decided to join us on Friday 1 November 2024 for the 4th edition of our Car Adventure Tour. Once again, despite a small number of participants (ten) and some rain, it was a successful event, followed by a relaxed, enjoyable, lively and chatty dinner at Altar Wine Bar, where we were joined by four members of the Alliance Française de Milton-Ulladulla. As we only had three cars participating, nobody missed out on a prize, with prizes going to first, second and last! Thank you to all the participants for their expertise, sense of humour and joie de vivre.

Our next French speaking lunch is taking place on Thursday 7 November at the Café Florabel in Eden; If there are other members who would like to participate, please send me an email (mansynette@gmail.com) so you will receive all necessary details. It’s Beaujolais Nouveau time! Throughout France, the Beaujolais Nouveau festival takes place every third Thursday in November, the date on which vinification ends and marketing is authorised. The release of this fruity wine is eagerly awaited by wine lovers, but it is also the occasion for many events in the Beaujolais region, with celebrations often lasting until the end of the week. The traditional launch of Beaujolais Nouveau is Les Sarmentelles in Beaujeu (Rhone-Alpes region), where a procession of wheelbarrows filled with burning vine shoots precedes the tapping of the first barrels at the stroke of midnight. Producers and winemakers open the doors of their cellars and wineries late into the night for tastings of their vintages. Restaurants offer menus based on the Beaujolais theme, and all the villages take part in the festivities, offering a range of craft products at various events.

The Alliance Française of Canberra’s French Market is back for its 9th edition on Saturday 16 November (10am to 3pm), over 30 stalls showcasing French culture and delicacies, delicious food, and drinks.

Sylvie

From the President

 A big thank you to all members who attended our Annual General Meeting at Club Sapphire on 25 September. As the existing committee had renominated for their positions, it was another easy going affair. The AGM was followed by a very brief General Meeting, as required by our Constitution, at which it was decided to continue the good work and to remind you of the end-of-year event, our cultural and musical dinner and Christmas party, where we are all invited to take to the stage for a fun filled end of year activity. Both administrative proceedings were followed by a screening of the film La Tête en Friche (My Afternoons with Margueritte). The characters are instantly sympathetic, the acting is superb, the script impeccable, simple and with good feelings, a charming movie that we all enjoyed.

It is time to invite you to take part in our now famous Car Adventure Tour, which will take place on Friday 1 November 2024, from Moruya to Milton. We encourage you / recommend that you form a team of 4 people (4 pairs of eyes are always useful) and that you have an internet connection to help you answer tricky questions. You will find all the details you need on page 2 of your La Mouette, as well as a recommendation for booking accommodation. I am counting on many of you to help make this fourth rally a great event.

I came across a recipe (which I tried and found to be yummy) whose name made me smile, ‘French breakfast muffins’, so I decided to find out where muffins come from. As you know, there are two types of muffin, the bread-like we call ‘English muffins’, which originated in England, and the cake-like simply called ‘muffins’ that were developed in the United States in the 19th century, but did you know that the name muffins comes from the old French word ‘moufflet’, which means soft? It's quite surprising and I am sure you will agree, but not enough to call muffins ‘French’... So what makes these muffins French? Read on and you will find out why (see recipe on page 3).

And last but not least, welcome to our new members, Carole, Leanne, Michael, Jessie, Colleen and Peter.

A bientôt!

Sylvie

From the President

 Chers tous,

I am writing to you from WA, where spring is in full swing and the spring flowers are in full bloom, a symphony of colours thanks to broom plants, heather, wattles, white clematis and banksia.

Last December, I suggested that we use our ‘French Corner’ to present biographies of our members from time to time, the first being that of Brigitte Leroy. This month you'll find Mike's (Michael Warren) biography, full of interest and surprises.

It's happening in September!  The Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September.

The name of the Paris 2024 mascot is Olympic Phryge, based on the traditional small Phrygian hats that the mascots are shaped after. The Phrygian caps, the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic mascots, have been a symbol of freedom throughout French history. They are a common reference for French people, including in the world of art (as a metaphor for freedom) and as a symbol of the Republic in French institutions. Phrygian caps can be seen sitting atop the head of the iconic figure Marianne in every town hall and even feature on everyday objects in France such as coins and stamps. They are also an international symbol of liberty worn by freed slaves in Roman times and appearing on different emblems in North and South America. Also known as the liberty cap, the Phrygian cap has become one of the symbols of the French Republic.

If you're planning a trip to France or Europe in September, did you know that the European Heritage Days are being held for the 39th time on 17 and 18 September? These days give numbers of visitors, from France and abroad, access to national monuments that are usually closed to the public, allowing them to enjoy unusual visits and discover the heritage of more than 50 countries. Important fact: visits organised as part of Heritage Days are free of charge.

A major painting by Paul Gauguin (Paris, 1848 - Hiva Oa, 1903) has been acquired by the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra. The work acquired is The Blue Roof, also known as The Farm at Pouldu (Brittany), painted in 1890. Currently, The Blue Roof, which is the first painting by the artist to enter an Australian public collection, is on display as part of the major exhibition The World of Gauguin: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao (29 Jun - 7 Oct 2024). The exhibition, held at the National Gallery of Australia, traces Gauguin's artistic journey and his travels around the world, from his Impressionist beginnings in 1873 to his final destination in French Polynesia.

I look forward to seeing you on 25 September for our AGM and a film that many of you are sure to enjoy.

A bientôt!

Sylvie

From the President

 Cher tous,

Our 14th July event was particularly successful this year, thanks to the enthusiasm of the large number of participants - 40 members and their 27 guests - a copious and delicious dinner and a frenzied and energetic cabaret show. It was a superb evening, during which Madame d'Aulnoy, Carmen, and a particularly dynamic and libertine Veuve Clicquot took turns to entertain us to music brilliantly performed by a talented musician. I would like to thank you all for coming in such large numbers, for your positive comments at the end of the evening and for being dressed to the nines. From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU.

On 12 July, I was asked to be the guest speaker at the CWA local section's French lunch. About twenty members attended, the food was delicious, the conversation pleasant, we felt very welcome in the relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Olympic Games are open!

Did you know that the slogan for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is "Ouvrons grand les Jeux!” (Games wide open), a play on words based on the expression “Ouvrez grand les yeux” (Open your eyes wide), which naturally refers to spectators' amazement at the athletes' performances. A pretty good slogan, if you ask me. French has been one of the two official languages of the Olympic Games, along with English, ever since Baron Pierre de Coubertin, co-founder of the International Olympic Committee, known as the father of the modern Olympic Games, revived the competition. This is laid down in Article 23 of the Olympic Charter adopted in 1908: "At all Sessions, simultaneous interpretation shall be provided in French and English". However, "In the event of any discrepancy between the texts, the French text shall prevail". Traditionally, the heads of state who declared the Games "open" did so in French, anyway, since Ronald Reagan, this custom has been lost, as the opening is now pronounced in the language of the host country. For the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Organising Committee has signed an agreement with the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) to ensure that the French language is used in all communications media, but did not see fit to appoint a “grand témoin de la Francophonie” (grand Francophone Observer) for the Olympic Games as they are being held in France!

With the exception of our pétanque players, we won't be meeting in August, but I look forward to seeing you on 25 September for our AGM and a film that many of you are sure to enjoy.

A bientôt!

Sylvie