Yesterday we visited the neighbouring town called Montgivray where they - as in many towns and villages, on the countryside - started the celebration of the National Day the night before.
We came their with my parents-in-law and the sister of my mother-in-law and when arriving to the town house (guilde hall/la mairie) they were about to start the traditional walk around the town with people from Montgivray and surrounding towns.
We came their with my parents-in-law and the sister of my mother-in-law and when arriving to the town house (guilde hall/la mairie) they were about to start the traditional walk around the town with people from Montgivray and surrounding towns.
The entrance to the town house/guilde hall and its park:
One had arranged with two carriages drawn by horses, carrying two models, representing the town house and a famous mill near town, both made by flowers.All the children (and some adults) carried small lamps with candels inside them, lightening the road.
Men and women with torches lit our way.
When returning to the town house and its park, the fireworks began and I must say that it was quite an impressing show, taking into consideration that this is a small town with about 1700 inhabitants.
After this refreshments and meeting people we know and later that night (00.30) one had arranged with dance. Unfortunately we had to return back home. Otherwise I would have asked Aurore to dance with me even though I know she doesn't want to dance publically - before taking classes!
Information about the event in French:
Promenades autour d’un village à Montgivray
Mardi 13 juillet 2010
Les habitants des villages vous accueillent pour une promenade, à pied ou en voiture, de 2 heures : découverte de l’histoire et du patrimoine local (visite gratuite).
Today I looked at the celebrations in Paris where for the first time 13 African countries were represented.
This in connection with the celebration of the fifty years of independence for those countries, former colonies to France and also admitting and recognizing the important role those countries have had for the liberty of France.
Many men and women from these countries fought with France during the Second World War and also in other wars, representing France but as you know the French governments have not earlier recognized their effort, not even giving the old now retired soldiers a fair pension.
This has now at last changed.
Some extracts from the preparations of the celebration:
For those of you interested in learning the French National Anthem, here it is in French and English:
Or the longer version with solo parts sung by Placido Domingo:
(Photo Montgivray Town Hall copied from: http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/16887426.jpg)
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