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VOL. 11.06 JULY 31, 2011 Returns to Washington as Head of IMF

Christine Lagarde, formerly 's Minister for the Econ- omy, Finance and Industry, became Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund on July 5. As head of the international organiza- tion, Lagarde returned to her former stomping grounds in Washington, D.C., this month.

Shown here, Lagarde celebrates Bastille Day at the Embassy of France on July 14. For more on Lagarde’s background and his- tory with the United States, see Photo: Sylvain de Gelder Sylvain Photo: page four.

France Offers Solutions to Global Food Price Speculation, Works with

With global food prices at record highs and expected to increase even more this decade, agricultural ministers from the Group of 20 nations met in on June 21 and 22 to discuss solutions to the crisis. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food prices will be 30 percent higher on average this decade than last. “Rising commodity prices are the main threat to growth,” said French President , who has made increased transparency of global food markets INSIDE a priority for the French presidency of the G20 and G8 in 2011. With greater transparency, leaders hope there 2 Current Events will be less speculation over the global food supply by Solar Plane at Paris 3 France & America © Photographer2008 © Photographer2008 investors and stockholders, which would stem food price increases. French Oil CEO Speaks in D.C. Commodity prices have soared for global During their talks, the agricultural ministers agreed 4 In Depth staples such as wheat, pictured above. to form the International Research Initiative for Wheat Christine Lagarde in the U.S. Improvement (IRIWI), a group that will find ways to improve the nutritional value and safety of wheat and develop more sustainable means of production. 5 Business & Tech IRIWI will also be responsible for facilitating collaboration between smaller-scale agricultural research Moët Hennessy to Plant in organizations on national and international levels. 6 Society To meet France’s goal of improving transparency in commodity markets, the ministers also agreed to DJ at the in Paris create the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS), which will facilitate communication between 7 Culture producing, exporting and importing countries, as well as commercial enterprises and international orga- U.S. Teen Choir Tours France nizations. By improving collaboration between the different entities of the food market, the ministers hope to improve the reliability and timeliness of information about the market outlook. 8 France in America Said French Minister of Agriculture of the Paris talks, “The point… was to avoid the 21st Bastille Day in the U.S. century being the century of hunger.” Pleased with the consensus, Mr. Le Maire considered that “we have taken part in a historic agreement… this is a tour de force for the international community.” En bref [ Current Events ] After Lagarde, Musical Chairs in French Government Solar-Powered Aircraft Breaks Record at Paris Air Show President Nicolas Sarkozy reshuffled his executive cabinet at the end of June. It was business as usual at the International Paris Air Show this year, which Christine Lagarde’s departure for the took place from June 20-26, but one of the 140 aircrafts featured made a International Monetary Fund left open unique experience for the 138,000 professional and 200,000 general public her former position as Minister for the visitors. Appearing as a special guest was the , a new aircraft Economy, Finance and Industry, to be that runs completely on solar energy. Each day, visitors got to see it on the filled by François Baroin. He previously ground and in flying displays, which showcased its silent electric motors. served as Minister of the Budget, and The Solar Impulse marks the first time in history that an aircraft has Minister for Overseas Territories, among flown successfully for over a day on solar power. On July 8, 2010, the Solar Revillard/Rezo.ch © Solar Impulse/Jean other positions. Valérie Pécresse took his Impulse flew 26 hours straight without any fuel. Everything in and on the place as Minister of the Budget and plane, including its carbon fiber structure, was designed to save energy. The continues to be government spokesper- plane is both strong and light, having a wingspan of 208 feet, but weighing The Solar Impulse, which runs entirely on son. She is one of six female min-isters no more than a car (approximately 3,500 lbs.). solar power, debuted in Paris this June. serving in the cabinet. In the reshuffle, Solar Impulse’s creators, Bertrand Piccard, a psychiatrist and aeronaut, Laurent Wauquiez took Minister and André Borschberg, an engineer and pilot, launched the Solar Impulse project in 2003. The two are working on a second Pécresse’s vacated position, and Jean prototype, HB-SIB, for which plans are to cross the Atlantic, the USA, and ultimately fly around the world on solar energy. Leonetti became Minister of Foreign and European Affairs in place of Minister Wauquiez. Mr. Sarkozy created a new Interview with Colonel Brice such close relationships with the diplomats at the position, Junior Minister for French Houdet, Attaché for Ground embassy, who in turn report to the Ministry of Foreign Expatriates, filled by David Douillet, a Forces, Defense Mission at the Affairs in Paris. move that anticipates new representation Embassy of France for French abroad in the National How is the Defense Mission following President Obama’s Assembly. If you have ever visited the French decision to draw back troops in Afghanistan? What was Embassy in Washington, D.C., you the department’s response to the decision? Cyclists Race for Glory might have noticed quite a few We don’t evaluate policy decisions in our office. Instead, we in 98th Tour de France military personnel walking around must understand the evaluations made in Washington and Cyclists once again raced for first the compound. These militaires are Paris, and explain them to policy makers on both sides. place this month in the fabled Tour not based in Washington as part of their active duty, but We’ve tried to gather as much information as possible de France, which ran July 2 - 24. rather as part of France’s goal to study U.S. defense strategy, about the time frame in Afghanistan, to relay it back Each year the course changes but and to foster collaboration between the two countries. to Paris. always finishes in Paris, with a loop News From France sat down with Colonel Brice Houdet, around the Champs-Elysées. This the Attaché for ground forces, to talk about what an average What is your role at the military mission? year’s route began at the Passage du day is like at the Defense Mission. I work with the United States Army and Marine Corps. I Gois in east-central France. Twenty- track everything I can about equipment, two teams competed for the famed Tell me a little bit about the doctrine and training, and relay that yellow jersey. This year, 34-year-old Defense Mission in Washington: information between the Pentagon and Cadel Evans became the first What happens there on a daily the Defense Ministry in Paris. I also Australian and the second oldest basis? work on defense policy in Africa, and on person to win the tour since World The Defense Mission has two func- veterans’ affairs. War II. Evans was runner-up in tions at the embassy. The first is to understand U.S. defense I love working with Americans—when they say they will 2007 and 2008, and in 2010 lost policy and repeat it back to France, and to represent French do something, they keep their word. the lead after a crash. The second policy to the Pentagon. The second is to organize and and third place riders this year were facilitate cooperation between the two military powers. What do you think the American public should know brothers Andy and Frank Schleck of This involves sharing and receiving information about about the Defense Mission’s work? Luxembourg. Said Cadel of his vic- training, equipment and doctrine. We need to have a good Currently, the military cooperation between the two coun- tory, “It’s been a beautiful race, and understanding of what is going on in the U.S. Department tries is working extremely well. There have been moments thanks to these two brothers here I of Defense. We work every day on Libya, the Ivory Coast, in our history—in 2003, when France decided not to go into think it was a fantastic experience Afghanistan and other collaborative missions. Iraq, and in 1966, when President de Gaulle forced NATO for everyone involved." France's headquarters to leave Paris—when the relationship was Pierre Roland took home the white Why is it important for France to have a permanent mili- more difficult. jersey as this year’s best young rider. tary presence in the U.S.? Today, everything is working well. We share the same The United States is the premier military power in views. In 230 years of our countries’ coexistence, we have the world. France has to be here to understand the shape never been at war. I don't think this is by chance—we share that war will take in the future. When one loses at war, the common values: human rights, freedom, democracy. The stakes couldn’t be higher; it’s the survival of one's country. role of the military is to fight to protect those common values for your country. Of course there are differences… How does the Defense Mission’s work inform diplomacy? we prefer wine, you prefer Coca-Cola. We have an important role at the embassy because defense I met with former Colin Powell this policy is a key part of a nation’s diplomacy. Our work month. He told me, ‘our countries have been married for requires us to reach out to the world. Everything we do has 230 years, and since the very beginning, we have been consequences on foreign relations. That is why we have in counseling.’ Public Domain Public

2 NEWS FROM FRANCE France & America [ ] Summer Festival Evokes Eighteenth-Century France Creativity Festival in Cannes Hosts Social Media, Tech Firms The Hillwood Estate in Washington, D.C., gave Washingtonians the Known for its annual Film and creativity of promotional opportunity to experience eigh- Festival in May, the French city films used to publicize the movies teenth-century France during its of Cannes is probably not where at the Cannes Film Festival, French Festival on July 16 and 17. you would expect to find leaders Cannes Lions has since become a The museum hosted the daytime in social media and technology. showcase for creative advertising component of the two-day festival in Yet from June 19 to 25, the campaigns in all sectors. In recent partnership with the Alliance Cannes Lions International years, Cannes Lions has recog- Française, which hosted a soirée at Festival of Creativity, which nized “creative innovations” their headquarters on Saturday night. showcases innovation in com- efforts by advertisers to use social The classy affair provided a taste munication and advertising, media and technology in their of French life in the 1700s, aiming to drew key industry players Creativity of Festival Int'l Courtesy Lions Cannes campaigns. take attendees “back 300 years to a including Dennis Crowley, co- Festivalgoers congregate at the Cannes Lions The pattern of arts festivals time when ladies curtsied, men founder and CEO of Foursquare; Creativity Festival in in Cannes, France adapting more technology-orient- bowed, and courtship came alive in Carolyn Everson, Vice President ed components has also appeared outdoor garden settings.” On for Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook and in the USA. South by Southwest (SXSW), the annual Saturday and Sunday, at the Arianna Huffington, co-founder and Editor-in-Chief of music festival held in Austin, Texas, introduced its first Hillwood Estate grounds, partici- The Huffington Post, to the Côte d’Azur. SXSW Technology Summit this March. Leaders in the pants were able to hear talks about Created in 1954 by a group of worldwide cinema tech industry met over two days in Texas to discuss inno- the museum’s French collections, advertising contractors as a way to recognize the quality vations in twenty different countries, including France. participate in traditional games such as hoop-tossing, and tour the gar- dens. The New York Baroque Dance CEO of French Company Total Lectures in Washington, D.C. Company and Opera Lafayette also gave live performances on the Christophe de Margerie, CEO of French multinational oil company Total, grounds. An evening party hosted spoke about the future of energy in Washington on July 12, as part of the by the Alliance Française featured a Kalorama lecture series at the French Ambassador's Residence. “We have silent auction, music, dessert crêpes, to be energy mix committed and focused,” he stated, while explaining the and a DJ mixing traditional and ggggggggg composition of an “energy mix”: fossil fuels, renewables, and non-fossils, modern French music. Wine and such as nuclear. He cited the recent Deepwater Horizon and Fukushima cheese were also served at the party,

© Sylvain de Gelder © Sylvain incidents as challenges to which the industry is currently responding. Mr. naturellement. de Margerie said that Total is committed to progress in not only the realm of safety, but also in efficiency. In a statement for Total, he said the company In N.C., Crepe Truck Makes believes it can “strike a balance between a steady energy supply, growth, and New Fans of French Cuisine the protection of lives and the environment.” He spoke of Europe’s place as The food truck phenomenon Total CEO Christophe de Margerie lectures a leader in controlling carbon emissions, and said he was also impressed by that’s taking America by storm on current and future energy practices what he considers U.S. Senators’ deep knowledge on related issues. (and by street) would be remiss to forget French cuisine, which the Congressional French Caucus Promotes Franco-American Relations United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organ- As part of long-standing Kalorama neighborhood of efforts to maintain close ties to Washington, D.C. in honor of ization (UNESCO) has deemed as France, a long-time friend and the French Caucus. “intangible cultural heritage.” ally of the United States, the “From Yorktown and Lafayette Among the mobile taco, pizza and United States Congress creat- to the beaches of Normandy, our ice cream options in North ed in 2003 the Con-gressional two countries have always stood Carolina, at least, a crêpe truck by French Caucus toward “pro- shoulder to shoulder to promote the name of Parlez-Vous Crêpe moting partnership and coop- the values of freedom and sells French dishes. Based out of eration, enhancing U.S.- democracy,” said the Amb- Carrboro, NC, the truck can be French relations in all fields assador. “French-American rela- found this summer at festivals,

and facilitating a better under- © Elisa Dehove tions have never been closer than swim meets, and at “Food Truck standing of the essential rela- today. And we all know the key tionship” between the two L-R: U.S. Sen. John Boozman, Ambassador Delattre, role played by the French caucus Rodeos” selling savory and sweet countries, according to a U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and U.S. Rep. Dan Burton in this respect.” options. Creator Jody Argote is statement by its House co- On August 2, the French passionate about “French cuisine, chairs. Caucus will sponsor a roundtable discussion in the education, and creative use of sea- The Congressional French Caucus currently Senate on nuclear energy, with the head of the French sonal local produce.” She learned includes 102 members from both the U.S. Senate and Atomic Energy Commission presenting France’s nuclear the craft of the crêpe while living House of Representatives. Last month, Congressional energy policy, including how France is addressing and working in Beaune, France. French Caucus leaders celebrated the Renaissance nuclear safety issues and its management of nuclear One of her favorite crêpes is “La Française in an event in the Rayburn Building on waste. Bonne Maman:” brie cheese, Capitol Hill that recognized five Americans who have Several of the caucus’ members represent districts apple butter, sliced Granny Smith raised the awareness of France and the French lan- with significant French diaspora and history, including guage to people living in the United States. Afterwards, the co-chairs Sen. Mary Landrieu (LA), Rep. Russ apples and a spring mix. Their full the Ambassador of France to the United States, Carnahan (MO) and Rep. Michael Michaud (ME). The menu can be viewed online at François Delattre, invited Members of Congress and other co-chairs are Sen. John Boozman (AZ), Rep. Dan www.parlezvouscrepe.com/. others to a reception he hosted at his residence in the Burton (IN) and Rep. John Campbell (CA). NEWS FROM FRANCE 3 [ In Depth ] Christine Lagarde: A Return to the United States, for a Place on the World Stage

The international community has been buzzing with the news of the minded people in Washington: spend time as an intern on Capitol appointment of former French Minister for the Economy, Finance Hill. She worked for American economist and former U.S. and Industry, Christine Lagarde, as Managing Director of the Representative and Secretary of the Treasury, . International Monetary Fund (IMF). Lagarde is the first woman to lead the IMF, and the eleventh American Firm, director since the fund’s creation in 1944. Lagarde comes to the Global Stage position with experience in both the private and public sectors; she In 1981, Lagarde joined American spent the last six years working in law firm Baker & McKenzie as an the commerce and agriculture associate specializing in antitrust departments for Prime Ministers and labor cases. She made partner and within six years and became head François Fillon. of the firm in Western Europe. In Lagarde said upon her appoint- 1995, she joined the executive ment, “the IMF must be relevant, committee and, four years later, responsive, effective, and legiti- became Baker & McKenzie’s first mate, to achieve stronger and sus- female chair. She became presi- tainable growth, macroeconomic dent of the Global Strategy stability, and a better future for Committee in 2004 and persuad- all.” As head of the organization, ed the firm to open the European which provides financial support Law Centre in Brussels.

to developing and needy econo- de La Mure F. © MAEE Photo Lagarde’s English has been mies, Lagarde promises to address described as “impeccable.” uneven recovery from the 2008- Lagarde as Minister for Agriculture in 2007. Lagarde once told to NPR that 2009 global economic crisis. “one of the Communist members Lagarde had the approval of the U.S. early on in her candidacy. Said of the National Assembly... actually addressed me in English, probably U.S. Treasury Secretary, , in June, “Minister Lagarde’s just to pull my leg.” Lagarde’s openness to American professional cul- exceptional talent and broad experience will pro- ture does not stop with language. While working vide invaluable leadership for this indispensable as Finance Minister, a position to which she was institution at a critical time for the global “She was an uncommonly appointed in 2007, she strove to innovate France’s economy.” Lagarde is no stranger to the United mature teenager. She was work culture. She worked to reduce spend- States, or to Washington, D.C. She attended high sophisticated... but also ing, raise the school just outside D.C., and for many years unpretentious and retirement worked as the Paris head attorney of American unprepossessed.” age and re- law firm Baker & McKenzie. form France’s -Mary de Pinho, Lagarde’s pension laws Washington-Educated former teacher and 35-hour workweek. Lagarde’s relationship with America began when she enrolled in the Several global publications have prestigious Holton-Arms School, a private girls’ school in Bethesda, ranked Lagarde among the most Maryland. Mary de Pinho, a retired teacher who taught at Holton- influential people in the world. Arms for 35 years, remembers Lagarde well. “She was an uncom- The called her the monly mature teen- “Best Finance Minister of the ager. She was sophis- ” in 2009. In 2010, ticated ... but also Forbes magazine ranked her the unpretentious and 17th most powerful woman in the unprepossessed.” De world. Foreign Policy magazine Pinho recalls that ranked her 22nd on its list of Top Lagarde had many 100 Global Thinkers. friends and partici- Despite her busy schedule, de La Mure F. © MAEE Photo pated in extracur- Lagarde devotes time to health Lagarde in Paris in 2005, then ricular activities like and fitness, including swim- Minister of Trade. swimming and ming, running, and yoga. She is a vegetarian and abstains from modern dance. alcohol. In addition, she is a staunch supporter of women’s Soon after gradu- rights. "She is an aggressive spokesperson for the advancement ating, Lagarde com- of women in everything,” said Edwin Truman, of the Peterson © Lydia Marik © Lydia pleted an internship Institute for International Economics. Indeed, Christine Lagarde meets U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth on Capitol Hill, like Lagarde is the first woman ever to set economic policy for a Bader Ginsburg at a July reception in Washington. many young, policy- nation. 4 NEWS FROM FRANCE Call for help Business & Technology on the Web mobilizes [ ] French government Last month Frenchman Louis van Biomedical Conference Highlights French Research Support Proosdij Duport made the news by engaging his online audience in dis- President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed attendees to the third cussion over changes in his medical international meeting on biomedical research in Paris on June situation. Duport is a successful 10. He described the meeting in a speech that day as “a very entrepreneur who has battled quad- useful initiative which I wholly support.” The conference, orga- riplegia for 27 years after a child- nized by the Alliance for Research and Innovation in Health hood sports accident. According to Industries (ARIIS) and the Alliance for Life and Health his blog, he “designed [his] life to Sciences (AVIESAN), brought together representatives from push the boundaries of disability” 21 human and veterinary medicine organizations to focus on and made his daily routine nearly autonomous, only relying on others this year’s topic, infectious diseases. At the conference, for 2 hours a day. In June, he President Sarkozy spoke of France’s continued dedication to exposed several negative changes in eradicating infectious diseases, saying “France is duty-bound © MAEE care imposed by his healthcare pro- to deliver when it’s a matter of international solidarity, and vider through his blog and Twitter, President Sarkozy addresses an international despite the tight financial situation … France will fulfill and in doing so, mobilized the gov- group of researchers in Paris. her duty.” ernment. He described the stress he This fiscal year, France will spend 20 billion euros on research and higher education. President Sarkozy emphasized was under and his loss of control how many diseases continue to take millions of lives, even ones that had been thought to be eradicated, such as and sense of autonomy. Citing the tuberculosis. “We can’t afford to slacken our efforts,” he told the assembled group of scientists. U.N. Declaration of the Rights of Disabled Persons, statements from Santé Service and other bloggers’ stories, Duport made a legal case for French Robotics Co. Receives Public- and Private-Sector Support help. The reactions he got caused French company Aldebaran Robotics has raised $13 million in new French officials to respond quickly. venture funding from Intel Capital and existing partners. Aldebaran is Eric Besson, French Minister of Industry, Energy and the Digital world-renowned for their small, dancing, web-accessible robot, Nao, Economy, wrote on the social net- used as a research tool at universities across the world. A new, im- work site Twitter, “I am asking my proved model came out this June, featuring developments such as face cabinet to respond to this quickly.” recognition. Founder and CEO Bruno Masionnier said in a press release, “Our Luc Oursel Assumes products have the flexibility to provide solutions across a range of ap- Leadership of Areva plications and this investment will play a huge role in helping drive manufacturing efficiencies and further our research capabilities to help the business’ expansion into new markets.” Aldebaran also made headlines earlier this year when the French government allocated 5 million euros of public funds for a project called Romeo. When released on the market, the four-and-a-half foot, 88-pound human-like robot will provide services to the elderly, such

© Aldebaran Robotics © Aldebaran as assistance in household chores. Prototypes will be tested by patients of the Institut de la Vision (Vision Institute) this fall, and could be on The Nao, a product of Aldebaran Robotics, is used © Areva as a research tool and is capable of face recognition the market by 2015. French public energy company Areva underwent a change in lead- ership on June 30, indicating a new Moët Hennessy to Plant Sparkling Wine Vineyards in China shift in direction for the organiza- tion. New President of the Executive Leading champagne maker Moët produces wines in the same Board, Luc Oursel, took over from Hennessy will plant a 163-acre . In addition, the re- Anne Lauvergeon, who led Areva vineyard, accompanied by an on- gion’s economy produces for the past ten years. Mr. Oursel site winery, in China to locally half of the world’s cash- was elected by a government advi- produce sparkling wine under mere, serves as a popular sory board. The nuclear giant, the Chandon label for the grow- film location, and attracts which is 90 percent owned by the ing Chinese market. The new tourists to Genghis Kahn’s government, has been in operation vineyard will be a joint venture death site. since 2001. Its central mission is to with the Chinese agricultural The wine industry con- seek power development options firm Ningxia Nongken. Moët siders Asia is one of the that minimize carbon use, with an

© Flickr emphasis on nuclear power. The Hennessy will own 60 percent of company’s “last frontiers” group is also increasing focus on the vineyard, although it will have Moët Hennessy plans to begin selling since it already produces Chinese-grown sparking wine in 2014. renewable energy. Prior to his nom- sole ownership of the winery, and wine in California, Argen- ination, Mr. Oursel served as head Nongken will own 40 percent. tina, Brazil, and Australia. Moët Hennessy will produce of marketing for the company. As The vineyard will be located in the Helan Shan re- wine in China using traditional methods and with the chairman, one of Mr. Oursels’ pri- gion of northwest China. Home to the country’s fourth same grapes used in champagne: chardonnay, pinot noir mary goals includes creating new largest farmland area, the climate and soil are ideal for and pinot meunier. The new Chinese-grown sparkling nuclear safety provisions after the wine production. France’s Pernod Ricard group already wine should be ready to drink in three years. the Fukushima disaster in Japan.

NEWS FROM FRANCE 5 Stein Family Art Collection Returns [ Society] to S a n F r a n c i s c o American Friends of the Musée d'Orsay Makes Paris Debut The American Friends of the Musée D’Orsay (AFMO), a nonprofit organization that raises money and publicizes for the Musée D’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie, hosted over a hundred Americans and Anglophones in Paris earlier this summer for its inaugural cocktail soirée. U.S. Ambassador to France, Charles Rivkin, and his wife, Susan Tolson, the Honorary Chair of AFMO, received museum offi- cials, journalists, and heads of expatriate organizations in Paris at Curators at the San Francisco the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Paris. Funds went to support a Museum of Modern Art variety of the museum’s resources for Americans, and promote (SFMOMA) have pieced together modern artworks once owned by French exhibits in America and vice-versa. AFMO also used funds famous collectors, the Stein family, raised to restore objects of art in the Orsay and renovate the museum on display at the SFMOMA until to include a “graphics arts” gallery, scheduled for completion by the September. end of this year. Access to art is not the only opportunity AFMO Transplants from San Francisco, provides its members, however, as they can serve on committees like Gertrude Stein and her family were the Paris Committee, which coordinates Anglophone outreach, and among the first collectors of mod- the Avant-Garde Committee, which continuously searches for young ern art in Paris during the early Formerly a train station, the Musée d'Orsay is patrons. For more information, please see: http://aforsay.org. now France's foremost Impressionist museum. 20th century. Between their Rue de Fleurus and Rue Madame apart- ments, the family displayed an The Creators Project Hosts DJ at the Grand Palais in Paris extensive collection of works by Matisse and Picasso. Gertrude and On the second-to-last night Said Kapoor of the creation, her siblings counted these artists of the Anish Kapoor sculpture “My ambition is to create a space among their friends, and Gertrude exposition at the Grand Palais in within a space that responds to was frequently depicted in their Paris, The Creators Project invit- the height and luminosity of the work. The San Francisco exhibit ed DJ Richie Hawtin to perform nave at the Grand Palais. Visitors features works from the famous in the museum. Funded by Intel, will be invited to walk inside the collection and narration on the the American computer hard- work, to immerse themselves in history of the Steins’ lives in Paris ware company, in collaboration color, and it will, I hope, be a and the United States, and their with Vice magazine, an interna- contemplative and poetic experi- relationships with the artists. SFMOMA will host various cura- tional social and arts publication, ence.” The interactive nature of tor talks on the Steins and the The Creators Project supports Courtesy Le Grand Palais the installation made it a unique painters whose careers they sup- multimedia arts production and A scene from the concert given by DJ Richie Hawtin, venue for a concert. with Anish Kapoor's sculpture as a centerpiece. ported, as well as poetry readings dissemination, including hosting “It’s the project of the and film screenings. performances at global arts centers like the Grand Palais. The moment,” wrote Jean-Sébastien Stehli in a Le Figaro Madame Hawtin performance was held on the annual Fête de la blog entry about the event. As part of La Fête de la Musique, Car-Swap Websites Help Musique, a national holiday which took place this year on June the event was free and open to the public. Owners, Drivers Save Money 21. British sculptor Anish Kapoor’s Leviathan has been in the DJ Hawtin’s goal for his performance in Paris was to create Thanks to the Internet, those in great nave of the Grand Palais as part of the Monumenta proj- a dialogue between his music and the Kapoor sculpture. In France needing a car can avoid most ect, which invites an internationally known sculptor to create 1998, Hawtin released an album called “Consumed” that was expenses by using websites devoted to matching up car owners with an installation for the space each year. similarly inspired by Anish Kapoor’s work. potential renters. Sites like Voiture Lib, Livop and CityZenCar allow people to rent cars directly from car owners for hours, days, or even French blogger promotes weeks, with an average cost of about international fashion 3 to 10 euros per hour. With Voiture Garance Doré is a French illustrator, fash- Lib, the owner and renter meet ion enthusiast, and most famously, blogger. She began her site, beforehand to exchange the car’s garancedore.fr, in 2006. In her own words she “wanted to do some- papers and a deposit. With Livop, thing a little more free, more spontaneous… and decided it could be the owner can leave his or her keys in a “Livop-box” installed on the car a great way to get feedback about my work.” She posts illustrations and accessible to the renter. The sites with short snippets about her life, videos and portraits. One illustra- also provide a way for both owners tion on the main page now shows a woman with wavy hair putting and renters to rate their experience on sunglasses, with the caption “Faut-il donner son âge?” dealing with the other. A unique ("Should one give their age?") insurance contract applies, where the The page can be navigated in both French and English. She also renter’s conduct will not affect the has travel, collage, beauty, and fashion week categories, as well as a owner’s insurance rates. It is a win- “my favorites” section. She attributes her photographic inspiration to win situation according to Livop famous American street fashion blogger Scott Schuman of The president, Kieran Connolly, where Sartorialist, whom she is currently dating. Though the blog started car owners can make an extra buck and renters can “avoid the biggest as a hobby, its success now has her giving talks and consulting for expense—financing a car.” international brands.

6 NEWS FROM FRANCE les coups d’oeil [Cultural Highlights ] Big Concerts for Petit Prices Music lovers will be happy to hear American High School Show Choir Tours France, Monaco that despite these difficult eco- nomic times, good concerts are Students from the show choir of school located in Washington, not out of reach. Thanks to an Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington D.C. Its mission is “to nurture innovative approach by the event School of the Arts performed for and inspire passion for arts and promotion company Gérard international audiences this month learning in talented students Drouot Productions, concert- in a two-week tour of France and who might not otherwise have goers can now hear many artists Monaco. For most of the high an opportunity to develop their for a price much lower than the school’s group members, the trip artistic skills.” The award-win- traditional one-band concert with “Create Your Own Festival.” For was their first time outside the ning show choir, which has 150 euros, music lovers have United States. been operating since 1986, has access to five concerts organized From July 2 through 16, the stu- taken the stage with artists such by Gérard Drouot, featuring dents sang at eight venues across as Stevie Wonder and Maroon 5 bands like rock guitarist Jeff Beck, the two countries, in cities such as and given concerts for President © Duke Ellington School © Duke Ellington the rock-jazz group Chicago, and Paris and Cognac, with a culminat- Barack Obama and his family. jazz-fusion band Return to Students from the Duke Ellington School Show Choir ing performance in Beaune on The 27 student and alumni Forever who played earlier this perform American popular songs while on tour in July. Bastille Day, France’s most impor- members of the choir raised month. According to Patrice tant national holiday. Showcasing American music for their most of the funds for the trip themselves through local Bouchon, Production Director at French and Monégasque audiences, the performance performances. Support was also provided by the Ivoire Music, this is a “discount” that “works great with tourists, included musical styles such as classical, R&B, Motown, Washington embassies of France and Monaco to the and corresponds to the public’s Broadway, and gospel music. United States as well as organizations and individuals. For needs. Even with a limited bud- The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is a public high more information, please see www.maisonfrancaise.org. get, the public can benefit from a maximal choice of renowned art- ists while still benefitting from an California Celebrates Its French-Basque History, Gastronomy advantageous price.” San Francisco saw Elected chef of the year by San Francisco Magazine the celebration of a and Food and Wine Magazine, Hirigoyen is one of Fashion Week comes to Paris special part of thousands of Basque expats living in California. The Paris is one of the four major French culture ear- state is home to over 20,000 Basque natives, over a third fashion capitals of the world, lier this month of the total Basque-American population, most of which is why enthusiasts the world over watch runway shows when the Consul which reside in the San Joaquin Valley between with bated breath at the biennial Gen-eral of France, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield. Paris Fashion Week. During the Romain Serman, Basque immigrants flocked to the region in large event, designers set the upcoming honored chef/res- numbers in the 19th and 20th centuries, attracted by the season’s style by showing haute

© MAEE taurateur/cook- gold rush and the valley’s agricultural economic oppor- couture, ready-to-wear women’s book author Gérald tunities. In the 1960s, the Western Range Association clothing and men’s fashions. Basque chef Gérald Hirigoyen, here Hirigoyen with the specifically recruited Basque immigrants to work as From July 4-7 this year, industry with Consul General Romain Serman French Mérite sheepherders in the region. professionals and participants - Agricole. Bakersfield continues to host a large Basque com- including French Minister of For the past two decades, the Basque native has munity today, with Basque culture permeating the city’s Culture Frederic Mitterand - and saw the upscale designs of helped spread French identity in the Bay Area through identity. The city is home to the Kern County Basque Christian Dior, Givenchy, Chanel, his two restaurants, Piperade and Bocadillos, which club, which sponsors the Kern County Basque Festival Jean Paul Gautier and many oth- serve traditional Basque cuisine, as well as wine each Memorial Day weekend offers the most Basque ers. Of note, the collection shown and tapas. restaurants of any city in the United States. by Giorgio Armani Privé was dedicated to the Japanese tsunami victims. The beauty of Paris was Franco-Lebanese Writer Elected into the Académie Française also on display, as events were held at the Musée Rodin, The Académie Française, the pre-eminent authority on on a variety of proj- Trocadéro Area, and even the and literature, elected on June 23rd the ects in his lifelong library of the Lycée Henri IV. Franco-Lebanese novelist and journalist Amin Maalouf to term. The group’s France’s success in this elite luxu- their 40-seat group. Maalouf started writing as a 22-year- responsibilities ry industry is due in part to its old in 1971, covering conflict in the region leading up to the include publish- rich history and strong organiza- civil war in Lebanon. He emigrated to Paris with his wife ing the official dic- tion. The Chambre Syndicale de and three children when war broke out. In France he wrote tionary, awarding la Haute Couture (Trade Union of his first book,The Crusades Through Arab Eyes, in 1983. In prizes, and decid- High Fashion) dates back to 1868, 1993, Maalouf received the Prix de Goncourt, an award of ing authorized vo- and is now part of the Fédération Française de la Couture, du Prêt- “the best and most imaginative prose work of the year” for cabulary and gram- à-Porter des Couturiers et des his novel, Le Rocher de Tanios (The Rock of Tanios). mar. Maalouf’s Créáteurs du Mode (French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppé described election follows Federation of Fashion, Ready-to- Maalouf’s work as a “crossroad between Mediterranean the 2009 death © Dinkley Wear Makers and Fashion identities and friendships” and a “reflection of the wonder- of famed anthro- Designers) which helps plan ful diversity of francophony.” His books have been translated pologist Claude Journalist and novelist Amin Maalouf Fashion Week, and runs a school into more than 20 languages. At the Academy, he will work Lévi-Strauss. joins the Académie Française. of design in Paris.

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