This week’s posting includes a potpourri of French-related topics, from the French presidential election to May Day in France to cultural French happenings in the U.S. Take a peek at this week’s French news and then skip American reality TV in favor of a real French cultural event or two!
French May Day – Each year, the French celebrate May 1 and the full-on arrival of spring by offering lily of the valley bouquets to their loved ones. According to many sources, this charming tradition dates back to the 16th century when King Charles IX of France received some lily of the valley as a token of luck. He went on to present the lovely flower each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the French decided to continue this custom into modern times on the first of May. If you are in France on May 1, be sure and pick up some lily of the valley for your traveling companions – and yourself. You’ll see vendors on street corners selling these ‘bunches of happiness.’ You can also send a May Day card wishing friends or family a “Joyeux 1er mai” (Happy May 1st) or “Bonne fête du 1er mai – Beaucoup de bonheur” (Happy May 1 Holiday – Much happiness to you)!
French Gourmet Events at Central Market in Texas – The food experts at Central Market are transforming their stores across Texas into French gourmet destinations from May 9 to 22. Mark your calendars now to check out “Passport France” and the new French food products, pastries, artisanal breads, cheeses, wines and more, all brought in especially to celebrate the fabulous French approach to food and dining. A variety of cultural and culinary events will also be on offer – I am pleased to be collaborating with the Central Market Dallas Cooking School chefs on the following special culinary offerings:
“Pause Déjeuner – Lunch in Paris” – Friday, May 11, from 12 to 1pm. A visual tour of all things gourmet in Paris plus the French cooking demonstration and Parisian lunch. Cost is $25; advance registration is required.
“Shop the French Market – Hands-on Cooking Class and French Grocery Shopping Tour” – Tuesday, May 15, from 6:30 to 9pm. A visual and cultural tour of French food markets and shops plus the French grocery shopping tour, hands-on cooking class using seasonal ingredients and market-fresh dinner with wine. Cost is $75; advance registration is required.
“Pause Déjeuner – Lunch in Provence” – Thursday, May 17, from 12 to 1pm. A visual tour of Provence flavors and tastes plus the Provencal cooking demonstration and lunch. Cost is $25; advance registration is required.
Click here to sign up for these French culinary and cultural celebrations!
French Concert in Dallas – Music lovers in Dallas are in for a treat this Saturday evening, April 28. Francis Vidil of the Versailles Music Conservatory in France will be giving a ‘Concert extraordinaire’ at 7pm in the chapel of the Episcopal School of Dallas. The school is located at 4100 Merrell Road at Midway Dallas, TX 75229. The concert is free.
French Movie Preview in Dallas – Coming up next week is a free sneak preview of Les Intouchables, the dramatic comedy that was the runaway French movie hit of 2011. Les Intouchables (The Untouchables) is the true story of two French men who should have never met – a quadriplegic aristocrat who was injured in a paragliding accident and a young man from the projects. The screening will be held Tuesday, May 1, at 7pm at the Angelika Film Center on Mockingbird Lane in central Dallas. For your free ticket, please click here. Film organizers recommend arriving at least an hour ahead to secure seats. If you don’t make it to the Dallas preview, be sure to check your local movie listings for upcoming showings of this film.
French Presidential Election – This past Sunday, the French went to the polls in the first round of France’s presidential elections. It was close – the socialist candidate François Hollande edged out the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy by about 2 percentage points. The two will face off in round two of the election on Sunday, May 6. According to the news media, the financial stability and future of the euro-zone will be greatly impacted by how the French vote. Stay tuned for the next eventful chapter in Europe’s economic story…