Archive for 'Culture'
The “French Connection” Linking Victor Hugo, Verdi, Batman, and the Film “Se7en” Posted by Hichem on Aug 9, 2011
Today, Opera composer Giuseppe Verdi is widely celebrated as one of the major figures of what Italians proudly call “il Risorgimento“, the movement which, exactly 150 years ago, gave birth to l’unification de l’Italie (the Italian unification.) Many people, however, still ignore, even in today’s Italy, that their beloved maestro italiano was in fact born a Frenchman! The reason being that, when Verdi was born…
Victor Hugo’s Joker: “L’Homme qui rit” Posted by Hichem on Aug 4, 2011
Only a select few of people, even amongst the most passionate die-hard superhero comics fans and “connaisseurs“, seem to be aware that Batman‘s tragicomic arch-nemesis, the Joker, finds his original inspiration in a literary work—a work by the same author of les Misérables, Victor Hugo, of all people! Dans un roman (in a novel) published in 1869…
Hidden Gems of Today’s French Poetry in Music: “Paroles de l’âme” (Lyrics of the Soul) Posted by Hichem on Aug 3, 2011
Sometimes, if you’re chanceux (fortunate) enough when you’re surfing la toile mondiale (the World Wide Web), you run into some remarkably fine French contenu (content)… The sort of “perle” (gem) that you are happy to show around after you stumbled into it, to friends or relatives who hold an interest in la culture française (French culture), and whom you know…
Joyeux Ramadan and Joyeux National Holiday of La Suisse Posted by Hichem on Aug 1, 2011
Today is a double celebration: The French Blog wishes you a Joyeux Ramadan and a joyeuse fête nationale Suisse ! We hope that this coïncidence de calendrier (calendar coincidence) will be especially significant, and serves to bring Swiss Muslims and all other Swiss people, de toutes les confessions (of all the faiths), closer together! The *very special* couteau suisse (Swiss knife) that you…
Les Vacances de Rêve – Experiencing Summer Holidays the French Way Posted by adam on Jul 31, 2011
If you’ve ever heard the stereotype about the French lifestyle being much more décontracté (laid back) and tranquille (easy going) than life in other parts of the world, the French’s summer habits will likely come as no surprise. For most Frenchmen and women, heading to the south of the country or abroad is a ritual…
Some French Rappers Like It Hot Posted by Hichem on Jul 30, 2011
Yo! All the boyz in the hoods of “New Yaawk“—And everywhere else: As you already know, cet été, c’est CHAUD (this Summer, it’s HOT)! For la fin de semaine (the weekend), The Transparent French Blog presents the music video of *HOT*, by the French group “ENHANCER” (Featuring Kool Shen.) All Rappers of New York City—East Side and West Side—will for once agree on this…
A Touching French Song For All Exilés and Expats of the World Posted by Hichem on Jul 25, 2011
Alain Souchon, a major figure on the French song scene, dedicated this song to all les exilés of the world who, for a reason or another, had to leave their own countries behind… Despite the political changes occurring in France, past and present, la France still remains une terre d’accueil (a welcoming country). Alain Souchon: “C’est…