Chers amis,
On 18 June, Lilias and Mike, with the help of Justin, Amazing
Grapes Canberra, reopened their Centre de Vino-thérapie (Wine Therapy centre),
much to the delight of 32 attendees, members and guests. Once again, it was a
very pleasant and cheerful evening, full of all sorts of conversations; we were
so caught up in our conversations that we only took one photo… but we all had a
brilliant time!
It is nearly 14 July, so our Mouette is in a revolutionary
mood and has decided to take our monthly newsletter by storm! Every year, 14
July transforms France’s towns and villages into one huge public celebration.
Fireworks, firemen’s balls and military parades mark the day, but did you know
that 14 July actually commemorates the Fête de la Fédération (Federation Day),
celebrated on 14 July 1790, rather than the storming of the Bastille itself?
This event symbolised the unity of the French people after a year of
revolutionary upheaval, prioritising national cohesion over the violence of the
siege. It was not until 1880 that 14 July was officially declared a national
holiday, thanks to MP Benjamin Raspail. Before that, the date changed several
times: 4 May, 30 June, 15 August… This final choice was intended to firmly
anchor the Republic in the collective memory.
Since I am on the subject of the Bastille, here are two
interesting facts:
• At the time of its storming, the Bastille held only seven
prisoners, most of whom were there for debt or matters of honour; the
insurgents’ real objective was primarily to seize the ammunition. The
revolutionaries subsequently embellished the account to justify their actions.
• Pierre-François Palloy, a visionary entrepreneur,
infiltrated the ranks of the attackers to negotiate the demolition of the
fortress. In less than two days, he secured the contract and profited from the
sale of the stones, whilst organising guided tours for two years!
July is not just about the storming of the Bastille; it is
also the month to celebrate ‘Christmas’. From 10 to 19 July 2026, Sydney’s
historic Rocks district will host the ‘Christmas in July’ festival. Over ten magical
nights, visitors can wander amongst traditional European-style wooden chalets,
where over 30 stallholders will be offering handmade gifts, seasonal treats,
winter drinks and culinary experiences inspired by French, German and Alps
Christmas markets. If you love snowflakes, sauerkraut, mulled wine and
Christmas desserts, this is the place to be!
To add a touch of glamour to your programme, make a note that
the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is hosting the largest exhibition ever
dedicated to Cartier in Australia, from 12 June to 4 October 2026. The
exhibition traces the evolution of the house, from its beginnings in Paris at
the turn of the 20th century to its most contemporary creations.
I would also like to mention events taking place in our
region, either because members of our Alliance Française are participating in
them, or because they have a connection to France. I therefore strongly encourage
you to go and enjoy:
Spirit Allegro “Sounds of the 60s” - tickets $15 at the door.
Saturday 4 July 2:00pm, Wolumla Hall
Sunday 5 July 2:00pm, Nethercote Hall. The Brainstorm - tickets https://events.humanitix.com/the-brainstorm/tickets
We have all heard of Victor Hugo and his works “Les
Misérables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame*). In this
show, Patrick Dickson invites us to dive into the boundless imagination of this
extraordinary man. Combining storytelling, original music, and animated
projections, the show explores the author’s tumultuous life and creative
genius, offering a visually rich and theatrically inventive journey into the
world of Victor Hugo.
Headland Theatre - Tathra Hotel Friday 7 August 7:00pm
Saturday 8 August 7:00pm
Sunday 9 August 2:00pm
I am counting on you all to come celebrate Bastille Day in
style, dressed up as a legendary French figure of your choice and ready to have
an unforgettable evening.
Bien à vous,
Sylvie
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