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VOL. 07.02 FEBRUARY 21, 2007
A free triweekly review of French news & trends Online at: www.ambafrance-us.org/publi France Hosts International Conference to INSIDE 2 L’événement End Use of Child Soldiers France Mourns Loss RANCE hosted an international conference in Paris concerning dren, lost for peace and lost for development of their countries," he of Abbé Pierre the issue of children involved in armed forces, "Let Us Free the said. At the end of the conference, a petition of more than 235,000 sig- 3 France-Amérique Children of War," on February natures encouraging the F French Webmagazine 5 and 6. French Foreign care and demobilization of Launched for NYC Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy and child soldiers was presented Ann M. Veneman, executive director of to the minister. "We commit 4 Profil UNICEF (the United Nations ourselves to spare no effort Entrepreneurialism
Children's Fund) presided over the e to end the unlawful recruit- in France event which brought together represen- ment and use of children by tatives of nearly 60 countries and dele- armed forces or groups in 5 Économie / Science gates from the European Union, the . de la Mur all regions of the world," Air-powered Cars United Nations, and other international Douste-Blazy concluded at 6 Société and non-governmental organizations. the final session. France Voted Best The conference laid out a frame- The number of children Place to Live work of action known as the "Paris recruited or used by armed © M.A.E. Photo: F Commitments" to stop the illegal Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy speaks at conference forces and groups is esti- 7 Culture use of children in armed conflict. In mated at 250,000 in 2007. Smoking Ban addition, it called for the preparation of new programs to care France accords great importance to the issue of child soldiers. It 8 Chez nous for, protect and reintegrate child soldiers, specifically through a is co-financing reintegration programs in Congo, Guinea- Blacksburg Hosts new set of guidelines known as the "Paris Principles." Bissau, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra French Film Festival Minister Douste-Blazy warned that the use of children in armed Leone. It has also chaired the Security Council working group conflict threatens the stability and growth of Africa. These are "lost chil- on children soldiers since November 2005. l l Remembering the Righteous of France
AMBASSADE DE FRANCE N a ceremony held on January 18, France honored the "Righteous of France," official tribute to the "Righteous of France," whose mem- AUX ETATS-UNIS nearly 3,000 French nationals who risked their lives rescuing Jewish persons bers are part of the "Righteous Among the Nations," an Ifrom mass deportation by the Nazis. While speaking at the Panthéon in cen- organization of nearly 21,000 non-Jews worldwide cred- tral Paris, French President Jacques Chirac unveiled a plaque commemorating ited with saving Jews during the Holocaust. these heroes of the Simone Veil, President of the Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah, for- French Resistance. mer French Politician and the first Woman President of the European "In the worst col- Parliament, also attended the ceremony. Now nearly 80 years old, Simone Veil's lapse of our history," fight against anti-Semitism in France and elsewhere has been enduring and pro- President Chirac found. The daughter of a Jewish architect in Nice, Veil witnessed the holocaust solemnly affirmed, firsthand, deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944, where she would remain "great numbers of until the camp's liberation in January of 1945. In a speech at the Panthéon, she French women and emphasized "that there was the France of Vichy, responsible for the deportation men were to show of 77,000 Jews, of whom 11,000 were children, but that there were also all those esidence de la République/ D. Noizet that the values of men and women thanks to whom three-quarters of the Jews of our country February 21, 2007 / © Pr esident Chirac and Simone Veil in front of humanism were root- escaped the Nazis." Plaque honoring the Righteous of France ed in their souls. She was invited a few days later to the United Nations in New York where Everywhere, they she gave the opening speech for Holocaust Remembrance Day in memory of the took in, hid, saved — risking their own lives — children, women, men per- victims of the Holocaust. She met with representatives of the Jewish communi- secuted because they were Jews." ty in New York and addressed the issue of anti-Semitism. She underlined the Chirac called upon France to continue the work of the Righteous. "Now actions France has taken to keep memory alive. "There is not a day when we do more than ever," Chirac concluded, "we must heed your message: the fight for not think of the Shoah," said Veil. "It is not true that we cannot talk about it at tolerance and fraternity, against anti-Semitism, discrimination, and racism in all school […] We speak about it everywhere. And the children, even at a very its forms is one which is being fought continually." In this same ceremony, young age, are interested. They want to know, to understand." Chirac called Holocaust denial a "crime against truth" and "an absolute perver- The sequence of presentations by Chirac and Veil paid a strong tribute to sion of the soul and the spirit." those who risked their own lives to fight anti-Semitism during the war. President Chirac was France's first president to publicly acknowledge the According to Veil, "in a certain way, the two events allow a more just recognition NEWS FROM FRANCE French state's responsibility during Nazi occupation. The ceremony was the first of what were the actions of France and the French people." l l 1 En bref current events L ’ÉVÉNEMENT FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR The steady beat of military drums could be heard from the residence of French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte this month, as re-enactors of the France Mourns Loss of Beloved Father French Royal-Roussillon regiment opened the ceremony commemorat- NE of France's most Father Pierre's work was not ing the "moment of military bravura" beloved philanthropists, without controversy, as many of by French troops in the French-Indian OHenri Groues, affection- his opinions conflicted with the war. The Ambassador's reception took ately remembered as teachings of the Catholic place in the context of a recent exhibi- Abbé (Father) Pierre, passed away Church. Marital unions for all, tion at the Smithsonian Institution January 22 at the age of 94. A vocal including homosexuals, that which explores the three-sided strug- advocate for the poor and home- e priests should have the right to gle for control of America (see NFF less, Pierre once soothed the disad- marry, and that women should 07.01). In his speech, Ambassador
vantaged with his caring words, . de la Mur have the opportunity to serve as Levitte paid tribute to Museum "You who suffer, you who are, priests were among Abbé Pierre's Curator Dr. Stephenson, "for assem- enter, sleep, eat and reaffirm your controversial ideas.
bling the exceptional works that © M.A.E./ F hope. Here, someone loves you." A tribute to Father chronicle the history of this conflict." A screen displays image of Abbé Pierre during his funeral Delivering on his word, he per- Pierre's life was celebrated at Ambassador Levitte began his speech by describing the struggle at Fort suaded parliament to make it illegal for landlords to evict tenants Notre Dame de Paris where French President Jacques Ticonderoga in July 1758. Known at during winter. Chirac, Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, and a host the time as Fort Carillon, the base Helping Jews to escape during WW II,Abbé Pierre began ded- of dignitaries attended the service. President Chirac recog- became a haven to over 4,000 French icating his life to those in need at a young age. Throughout his life, nized the loss of "an immense figure, a conscience, and an troops who were housed in the fort he appealed to the inherent kindness that he saw in each citizen, incarnation of kindness," who had "touched the heart of all when confronted by over 16,000 and called for them to join his mission: "I possess nothing, but if of France," by declaring January 26 a day of honor for the English troops. With the help of Indian you want to help me, we can help many others." celebrated philanthropist. l l forces, the French were able to resist the attack until the English troops retreated. The battle "was a moment Pompidou Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary of glory for the French presence in RENCH President Jacques Chirac visited the Pompidou Shanghai, China. President Chirac supports the program of America," described Levitte. "But it Center on January 31 to honor the modern museum's 30th expansion and announced that "putting an outpost in that also marked the beginning of the end birthday. President Chirac stated, "The Georges Pompidou part of the world, and preferably in China—a major power of the French empire in America," he F Centre's vocation is to light the way. Its reason for being is to go that has the vocation to become a major pole for artistic cre- explained. beyond all boundaries." His speech celebrated the cultural cen- ation-will allow the center to develop irreplaceable skills to France would later lose Fort Carillon in ter's pioneering past and praised the museum's momentous encourage more vibrant exchanges with that part of the 1759, an event which led to the loss of the war in 1763. The Louisiana development plans for the future. world." Additionally, the president suggested that the land- Purchase of 1804 would become the The opening of the institution in 1977 marked the birth of mark should consider associations with India, Russia, South definitive end to the French empire Paris's most avant-garde and controversial monument. Thirty America and Africa. With some luck, the Pompidou Center's in America. Nevertheless, "It was a years later, the Pompidou Center (picture on right) is recognized 60th anniversary could be celebrated not only in France, but terrible but fascinating time that as one of France's most distinguished landmarks. The museum also at the museum's many partners all over the globe. l l produced some extraordinary sto- boasts Europe's greatest collection of modern and contemporary ries," qualified Ambassador Levitte. art and is France's second most frequently visited museum after The presence of those who the Louvre — hosting over 180 million visitors. The building's six gathered to listen to those levels of steel and glass were intended to manage 5,000 guests each stories paid testimony to day, and the structure has drawn over 25,000 people daily. Last that fact. year alone, more than five million visitors explored the Pompidou Center's extraordinary exhibits.
FRANCE EXCELS AT The museum's undeniable international influence and popu- e FIGURE SKATING larity has inspired an ambitious project to establish two addition- CHAMPIONSHIPS
al branches of the modern art institution. Early next year,the cen- . de la Mur France claimed its second gold medal January 26 at the ter will open a Pompidou outpost in the northern French city of European figure skating Metz and projects to install another branch of the museum in championships as veteran © M.A.E./ F February 21, 2007 skaters Isabelle Delobel and / Olivier Schoenfelder won the France to Consider Introducing New Wine Labels ice dancing title. "We gave it HOOSING which of France's 30 unique varieties of ducers the opportunity to accommodate the varying tastes everything that we had wine to enjoy may soon become easier thanks to the of their international client base. tonight, we couldn't have Claunch of a national wine label. For the first time, "We are trying to link together the word 'France,' the done any more," said Delobel the “Vignobles de France” mark is pursuing a proposal to name of a grape and the name of a brand on which a compa- following the performance. authorize French wine makers to fuse mid-range vins de ny can invest over the long term and earn some money," Their victory follows the tri- pays wines from individual regions with one another, per- explained a wine industry official. The new marketing strate- umph of Brian Joubert in the mitting the producer to sell the blended wine under a sin- gy will allow consumers to simply identify their preferred men's competition the previ- gle French label. variety of wine according to grape type as opposed to choos- ous week and marks the sec- The initiative will help France's wine industry compete ing among 140 Vins de Pays and France's 13 major wine-man- ond time since 1962 that with the increasingly popular New World companies based ufacturing regions, which each represent different qualities.As France has won two gold NEWS FROM FRANCE medals in the European fig- in countries such as Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, and early as this spring, wine enthusiasts around the world could 2 ure skating championships. Australia. In addition, the latest label will give French pro- be toasting to the label of Vignobles de France. l l PRINCESSES France & America SUPPORT CHARITABLE EVENT Royalty made its way to Florida last month when French Webmagazine Launched for NYC Princess Marie-Sol de la Tour IENVENUE à New York! Beginning January 29, French shares valuable tricks on how to survive the dynamic world of d'Auvergne, tourists and Francophone New Yorkers could discover New York. The "NY Pratique" section of the Webmagazine pro- President of the French Heritage Society, the Big Apple with ease thanks to the launch of French vides other day-to-day wisdom, covering handy topics such as invited Princess Michael of Kent, a Morning (www.frenchmorning.com/ny), the first visas, housing, schooling, job opportunities, and health renowned author, to give a lecture on BWebmagazine designed for French speakers living in the U.S. providers. French Morning is also an excellent source for restau- Marie-Antoinette at the Palm Beach Every day the site boasts a broad range of new articles, rant, club, and bar recommendations. International Fine Art and Antique Fair (pic- including daily spotlights featured throughout the week. Each This new site is brimming with useful information ranging tured above). Proceeds from the event went Monday, "La France Made in USA" discusses French-related from local and international news, to schedules of French con- to the New Orleans Museum of Art's news stories, from the perspective of the American press. Laila ferences, concerts, movies and expositions happening around Bestoff Sculpture Garden, as part of the Society's Katrina Rescue Fund. The Society is Demay's Wednesday column, "Les Pintaderies", reveals the ins the city. French Morning is created and led by a team of organizing a trip in France this October for and outs of becoming a true New Yorker, all the way down to Francophone journalists living in the United States and plans to its 25th anniversary. For more information, the essential pair of jeans. Guillemette Faure gives exclusive develop many more local editions of the magazines that will please visit: advice every Thursday through the blog "Ask Guillemette" and serve a variety of major American cities in the near future. l l www.frenchheritagesociety.org Dr. Pierre Arizzoli Clémentel, director of the Versailles Museum, spoke on furniture of France Pays Tribute to D-Day Vet for his Fight in WWII the period. He was a guest of Catharine RANCE honored James Sheeran in France while fighting in the First Hamilton, President of the American Friends a ceremony at French Ambassador World War.It was love at first of Versailles. A Grand Ball will be held in Jean-David Levitte's residence in sight, and the two married in her France in June to help restore Le Pavillon F Frais at Petit Trianon. For more information, Washington, D.C., on January 31, for his uncle's home village of Domremy please visit: bravery and courage during the Second in the Verdun region of France. www.americanfriendsofversailles.org. World War as member of the 101st Perhaps inspired by stories of
Airborne Division."This evening,I want esse/ Chris Leydig his father, Jimmy enlisted as a para- FRANCE VS. THE REST OF THE to pay tribute to a great American patri- trooper in 1942. He was captured WORLD: A VERBAL AND TASTING ot and to a Son of France," announced and taken as a prisoner of war by FIGHT...
Ambassador Levitte while bestowing © Service de Pr the Germans after parachuting into the insignia of Chevalier in the Légion Amb. Levitte awards Sheeran the middle of enemy lines as part of d'honneur upon “Jimmy.” Mr. Sheeran is also the father of the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Josette Sheeran Shiner, who was the Under Secretary for Miraculously, Jimmy escaped while being transported Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs for the U.S. by train. As chance would have it, he found himself in the Department of State until 2005 and has been the Head of the Ardennes region of France, only 130 miles from his moth- U.N. World Food Programme since November, 2006. er's birthplace. He quickly joined members of the Ambassador Levitte recounted Jimmy's "extraordinary Resistance and assisted in several successful sabotage oper- © Service de Presse / T. Rottcher story, much better than any Steven Spielberg movie," to ations against the German troops. Soon Jimmy's adven- Wine connoisseurs duked it out over the the invited guests, which included French and American tures landed him in Domremy, where he was reunited with best wines in the world on February 3. The diplomats as well as members of Sheeran’s family and for- his mother's family after one of his mother's former teach- French Wine Society and the Washington mer colleagues of Josette Sheeran Shiner from her time at ers recognized him by family resemblance. Jimmy hid with Wine Academy collaborated to present the the Washington Times. his newfound family for several months until he was able first-ever wine tasting presented in a Jimmy's story began with his father, John Sheeran, to safely escape and rejoin the American army and contin- boxing match style, titled: "France vs. the Rest of the World." The 8 meeting Jimmy's mother, Lucie Munier-Sheeran, in ue fighting the war. l l most popular grape varieties in the world, for which France is consid- French Circus Clowns Around in New Orleans ered the benchmark, were tasted blind in an 8 rounds match that FRENCH Street Circus, Le Prato, traveled to New Members of Le Prato displayed their own expertise in an positioned a selection of fine French Orleans last month, entertaining school children and hour-long performance January 14 that took place as part of wines against contenders from the Aadults alike through a series of performances and the "Soirée Française: France and Jazz on Frenchmen Street," rest of the world. Led by emotional, workshops. The performing troupe arrived January 12 from a day long cultural celebration that featured local and French informational and acerbically witty
Lille and remained in the city for musicians and performers. Their performance followed a wine experts verbally fighting in February 21, 2007 more than one week, delighting forum earlier in the day during which French and local musi- "the ring," this fun and educational / event allowed attendees to identify the crowd with street perfor- cians discussed the cultural links between France and "which is which" and to better mances and conducting work- Louisiana. The evening culminated in a series of jazz sets at appreciate the stylistic differences shops at local schools. During the local jazz clubs across the city. between French and New World workshops, the skilled performers Le Prato street circus ensemble is part of Le Prato wines. In the end, Bordeaux had the taught the art of acrobatics, jug- International Theatre located in Lille, France. There are final say, Chateau Haut-Bages gling and clowning to eager residency programs, year-long presentations and region- Averous, Pauillac 2003, beat Napa school children who demonstrat- al traveling shows. Today, Le Prato is an accredited theater Valleys Worthy, Sophias Cuvee ed their newly acquired talents in esse/ New Orleans in the "burlesque arts"— the art of everything that 2004. "France vs the Rest of the a special presentation January 20 moves! Founded by clowns, Le Prato is also a troupe cre- World" series continues with new to friends and family who had ating its own shows by exploring the many forms of dates in D.C. and other major U.S.
© Service de Pr cities. For more information, please gathered for the occasion. laughter and poetry. l l NEWS FROM FRANCE Le Prato Circus per- visit: forms in N.O. www.FrenchWineSociety.org. 3 Entrepreneurialism in France
Investors take note! France is becoming one of Europe's newest business hotspots.As the FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN FRANCE fifth largest economy in the world by GDP,number three exporter of services worldwide and France's entrepreneurial spirit has not gone unnoticed by investors. France, second most productive workforce on an hourly basis in the world, France's economy is alongside China, ranks first worldwide for total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). flourishing.It also boasts the creation of 1 million businesses since 2002, 230,000 of which Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin announced January 29 that France's FDI were formed last year alone. reached almost $88 billion in 2006, a nearly 40 percent increase from 2005 and The French use the verb entreprendre to describe the act of organizing, operating, and over triple the 2004 figure. "Our country is one of the most open in the world," assuming the risk for a business venture. In English, the word "entrepreneurialism" refers to Villepin said. He added that foreign investment "stimulates [France's] long term the same process. The "entrepreneur" is the leader who identifies the opportunity and exe- growth" and "contributes to its development." According to Villepin, the increase in last year's FDI was also responsible for the creation of more than cutes a plan of action 30,000 jobs in 2005 and 35,000 in 2006. upon his own initiative and at great personal risk. To be an entrepre- Focus on Technology: neur or "to entrepren- dre" thus encompasses The Virtual Businessman notions of self-moti- France is a technology-driven his business to make pocket money. vation, uncertainty, economy, boasting one of the most "Where there's a will, there's a way," he and adventure. It technically skilled workforces in the told a group of school children. "It's refers to state of mind world. In Europe, it ranks second for the passion to innovate that moves or a certain esprit in the number of workers holding scien- mountains. […] When you form your the heart and mind of tific or technical diplomas and hosts own company,neither clients nor sup- the individual. the second largest workforce engaged pliers ask you if you studied business. Xavier Kergall, founder and general director of the Salon des Entrepreneurs,a yearly busi- in research and development. ness convention that takes place in Lyon and Paris, characterizes the increasingly large num- France now also lays claim to ber of individuals in France who have seized opportunities to form new businesses, even at a new generation of virtual great personal risk. "With the gradual decrease of financial, legal, and psychological restraints businessmen who have suc- around the creation of business in France, we have seen a trend reversal in recent years: at cessfully capitalized on the present, more and more executives, employers and job seekers have undertaken ventures Internet and its vast econom- that would have been considered too risky before, " said Mr. Kergall. ic potential. Across the country, young professionals are creat- The New Business Esprit ing successful e-businesses. Thirty-two-year-old Pauline in France's Education System © Hughes Leglise-Bataille de Breteuil is one of France's Businessman in Ile-de-France Schools are also making entrepreneurship a key component of the education plan. newest virtual success stories. Gilles de Robien, France's Minister of Education, hopes that schools and business, two This mother of three and graduate of I know many CEO's who did not traditionally separate domains, can soon reach a rapprochement. "We must impart upon a business school in Paris left a receive any formal education and the young a desire to innovate. It is necessary in order to orient the students toward a promising career in marketing to started out penniless and who came professional life and to guarantee [their] smooth transition to the workforce." open up a virtual jewelry and handbag from the banlieues without any partic- Under his direction, a new operation “100,000 Entrepreneurs” aims to teach the store on the Internet. After only three ular connections. Me, I started off youth of France about the business world. Beginning in elementary school, the months, Winaretta.com has already with a student loan." association organizes conferences between students and professionals. Over the proven its success. "The beginning The SalondesEntrepreneurs.com, course of a two-hour class, workers talk to students about their life and experiences wasn't easy," she said, "I felt very an on-line forum for businessmen to in the working world. "We want to tell them: it's cool to start a business, why not alone…No one was ready to take a network and exchange ideas about try it out?" explained Philippe Hayat who heads the project. young entrepreneur only on good their professions, is another example France's youth seems to have caught on. A 2006 survey conducted by IFOP, an faith." Today, over 15,000 people visit of the strength of the e-community in international marketing firm, reveals that 46 percent of France's youth between the her site each month, which offers over France. Launched in October 2006, ages of 13 and 25 dream of owning their own business. "Will I become rich if I start a 500 luxury products, including jewel- the site offers a virtual forum for business?" asked one eager school child after one such session. "Can a girl succeed in ry, handbags, and accessories. "It's entrepreneurs who seek advice about this type of work?" inquired another. true, I took risks but even if I have to starting or managing a business and In higher education, French work until one o'clock in the morn- allows them to showcase their prod- schools topped the Financial Time's c Biais ing, I experience a sense of free- uct. Participants exchange ideas with 2006 ranking of the European dom…which is priceless in my eyes.” each other via virtual message boards Masters in Management programs. Pierre Kosciusko-Morizet, founder or engage in biweekly video chats with Last year, French schools offered 11 of Priceminister.com, also offers his various types of experts, including of the 35 programs ranked; of these advice. He has become a virtual star in lawyers, accountants, notaries, and 11, six occupied the top seven ranks. France, gaining fame for his site, bankers. A virtual tradeshow that is HEC ranked the highest for the sec- which allows consumers to buy and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a oupe HEC/ photo: Jean-Mar ond year in a row, also boasting the sell goods via the Internet. The 29- year offers businessmen a choice of © gr best paid graduates who earned an year-old hotshot is especially popular exhibitors, partners, and suppliers average of $74,400 a year. Students on their way to class at HEC, among school-age children who use personally selected by the site. one of France’s premier business schools FRANCE GIVES SURGERY A FACELIFT Economic News France successfully carried out its sec- TECHNOLOGIE ond partial face transplant surgery January 21 on a 29-year-old male. In an operation at the University Hospital Center in Henri Mondor de Créteil in Auto Industry Receives Breath of Fresh Air Paris, a team of doctors attached NDIAN automotive company Tata Motors signed an pression and expansion. These two-stage pistons serve dual nose, mouth, chin and partial cheek agreement with French corporation Moteur functions, first to compress ambient air, thus refilling the air grafts from a brain-dead donor onto the face of a man suffering from Développement International (MDI) to produce and compression storage tanks on which the car runs, and sec- I Recklinghausen's disease, a genetic license the first air-powered passenger cars to be intro- ondly to make successive expansions cycles which approach disorder that causes tumors to grow duced in India by 2008. MDI, located a level of isothermic expansion. all over the body. Doctor Laurent at Carros near Nice, has pioneered an What is equally impressive is that Lantiéri, a medical specialist in aes- © MDI engine with only compressed air for the CAT 34 engine can be thetic, plastic, and reparatory surgery, fuel — which could be the most envi- equipped with, and run on mul- headed the team. "The patient is ronmentally friendly engine yet. The tiple fuels, including fossil fuels, doing well from a surgical point of new engine is efficient, cost-effective, bio diesels or compressed air. view," he announced following the scalable, and capable of other appli- While the engine runs on alter- 15-hour procedure, adding that, "We cations such as power generation. MDI prototype car, using the CAT 34 engine native fuels, the compressor still have to wait many months for the [final] results." This is the second such The latest incarnation of the MDI engine, CAT 34, oper- refills the condensed air tanks while maintaining zero-pol- operation in France and the third in ates on an innovative system to control the movement of lution emissions. the world, with the first ever per- both pistons and crankshaft. The pistons work in two For more information about the MDI air-engine please formed in November 2005 in France stages: one motor stage and one intermediate stage of com- visit: www.theaircar.com l l on a woman whose face had been mauled by a dog.
Protons Set to Break World Speed Record at CERN CALVADOS ARRIVES IN INDIA HE Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the most powerful into a space a million times smaller than this tiny insect. Residents of India will no longer find particle accelerator in the world, located at the The increased energy levels that the LHC particle accel- themselves downhearted for a lack of European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, erator will produce are crucial in order to allow further dis- good French spirits. Enthusiasts of T Calvados, Normandy's renowned is primed to make history later this year.When activated, coveries concerning the understanding of particles and apple brandy, will soon find the the LHC will collide beams of protons against one another at their mass. These breakthroughs in particle research will French beverage available in South energy levels of engender a new age of discoveries about the universe, many Asia, following an agreement reached 14 TeV, and of which are expected to produce the greatest advances in January 25 between the Tonia those of lead science yet. Officials at CERN state that the LHC will assist Agencies of Goa, India, and the nuclei at an in solving various issues, including questions about anti- Calvados Christian Drouin Blends of
© CERN Genva unprecedent- matter, supersymmetry, the Standard Model, and the forces Normandy, France. "It is a milestone ed level of which forged our universe. breakthrough for us to have reached 1150 TeV.A To achieve such goals, the LHC will break technological the fabulous Indian table," single TeV records. Functioning at a biting 1.9K (approximately -270 announced Mr. Drouin after the nego- tiations. "We do not hesitate to pre- unit is rough- degrees Celsius), lower than outer space itself, the 27- km- dict a great success for our products ly equivalent long particle accelerator will handle as much data transfers Detail of the sensor from the first half here." The deal marks the first time tracker inner barrel (TIB) to the amount as the entire European telecommunications network does that the world famous brandy has of energy a today. Along with particle collisions that occur approxi- reached the Indian market. flying mosquito consumes when in motion. What makes mately 800 million times a second, the LHC is poised to the LHC so remarkable is that it can compress this energy change our perceptions of the universe. l l ONE STORE OPENS IN FRANCE EVERY HOUR French citizens have caught Excavation Gives Glimpse into History of Southern France onto the trend of online shop- HE French southern city of Nîmes, one of the largest With the possibility ping en masse, reaching a new record of 132 million cities in Roman times, is currently undergoing a major of a number of con- online transactions last year. In urban excavation in hopes of discovering relics from the siderable findings T 2006, more than 17.6 million past. The excavation team consisting of 35 archeologists is waiting just under the French men and women pur- investigating a band of earth 15 by 400 meters at the very heart soil, there remains chased goods via the Internet, of the ancient town. "This linearity is very interesting, because much work to be spending over 15.5 billion dol- February 21, 2007 it allows us to complete a large section of the Roman city and done. The occasion lars. Online shopping repre- / its origins," noted Marc Célié, Scientific and Technical Assistant to perform an exca- sents the second most popu- to the National Institute for Research in Preventive vation such as this lar virtual activity in France, Archaeology (INRAP). "There, we will be able to study how only becomes avail- just behind instant messaging the Gaelic countryside outside the walls was progressively able "one or two and emailing. Businesses are rushing to take advantage of covered up by the Roman city," he added. times each decade," the e-business folly. Roman Nîmes is celebrated for its impressive amphithe- © Denis Gliskman, Inrap stated Jean-Paul General view of excavation in Nîmes Compared with 2005, the aters, expansive aqueducts and temples dedicated to the Demoule, president number of online stores descendants of the Emperor Augustus. Despite the sweeping of INRAP.The archeological event is certain to give the increased 53 percent, with 220 hectare aqueduct system that once encircled the fortified world a better understanding of the many developments in 6,000 new sites created in city, today only a fraction of that figure has been retrieved. the historical city of Nîmes. l l 2006 (see page 4) —the
equivalent of a new store NEWS FROM FRANCE opening every business hour! 5 ECO-FRIENDLY Social News GROCERY STORES SOCIÉTÉ Carrefour, One of Europe's leading superstores, is dedicated to helping the environment one bag at a time. Carrefour France Voted “Best Place in the World To Live” ended the distribution of free grocery RANCE is the best healthcare system as one of the bags at 45 stores in the Ile-de-France place to live, according best. Family friendly policies such region February 1. With over 3,000 stores Fto the International as reduced taxes for large families in France, the retail giant's decision will Living's Quality of Life and paid parental leave also con- cause consumers to reconsider their Index which ranked France tributed to its high ranking. intake of disposable sacs. The chain will number one for the second France also enjoys a robust now charge approximately 13 cents per year running.The Index, economy. A per capita GDP of plastic bag and 85 cents per folding box. which examines a variety of $27,500, strong exports, and This environmentally friendly operation countries around the world one of the largest agricultural has taken place in 130 shopping centers across the country. As a result of its each year, looks at factors such markets in the European Union efforts, the superstore announced that it as cost of living, taxes, climate, attract foreign investment. In © M.A.E./ F. de la Mure has decreased the use of disposable sacs and business opportunities. addition, the country offers a by 43 percent since June, 2003. France can attribute its success to a variety of factors, includ- strong infrastructure with an easily navigable and ultra fast ing its low cost of living. For example, elegant and affordable system of TGVs, high speed trains which can travel at speeds INITIATIVE TO RAISE homes can be purchased outside of Paris for less than $100,000. of up to 320.3 mph. AWARENESS ABOUT In addition, the country boasts one of the highest health ratings For more information about the Index and study, please SLEEP DEPRIVATION in the world, and the World Health Organization ranked France’s visit: www.internationalliving.com. l l Sébastien Loeb Clinches Monte-Carlo HE World Rally Championship (WRC), one of the most and Ardèche regions of France, unfamiliar to current competi- strenuous and challenging events in the history of motor tors. French car manufacturer Citroën also introduced its new Tsports, kicked off the 2007 season with the 75th edition C4 WRC to replace the proven Xsara that Loeb himself drove to of the Monte-Carlo Rally. Taking place across 16 countries, three consecutive world titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. l l ranging everywhere from Cyprus to New Zealand, the WRC is a test of endurance for both car and driver, taking place in some of the most unforgiving roads in the world. French Health Minister Xavier Bertrand French driver Sébastien Loeb returned this season after announced plans to address the mount- a biking accident last year forced him to take a four-month ing sleep issues affecting French citizens, particularly those in the business commu- leave. Despite the quadruple fracture on his right shoulder, nity. 56 percent of the population believes Loeb sped through the 2007 season opener with a tour de that a deficient evening of rest has caused force, seizing first place on six of the 14 event stages, claim- a change in their performance at work. ing the 29th victory of his career. Furthermore, 20 to 30 percent of high- This year's course went through heavy design changes to © P. Rouah 2007 -pbase.com/webman06 way accidents across France each year are transport drivers back to the birthplace of the sport: the Vercors Loeb (right) takes the lead in Citroën’s new C4 believed to be a result of either a poor night's sleep or general sleepiness. PLAY ROLE IN Through several initiatives, Bertrand PRESIDENTIAL only one out of thousands of politically non has left political experts to speculate promises to dedicate nine million dollars RACE oriented sites in France today. While over the implications of this popular new to increase public knowledge about sleeping problems. He Political enthusiasts more neutral sites seek to develop an medium in the developing campaign. has organized a research pro- and internautes who encompassing database of each candi- Despite the emergence of political gram to explore a proposal come across Nicolas Vanbremeersch's date's political platform, political parties sites on the Internet, however, suggesting that workers blog find his analyses accurately issue- and more militant supporters have also Vanbremeersch predicts that it may not should be given time off for centered and charmingly introspective. created a visible presence on the be the dead-line supporters whose napping during the day. If The French political blogger, known to Internet. Many candidates have created opinion will count the most. "The blog post-lunch siestes prove to be many as simply "Versac," maintains a sites of their own, while offering official which has the most influence is that effective, then 15-minute delicate air of mystery around his per- domain names to bloggers who wish to which modifies the perception [of the sleep breaks could become a sonal convictions, leaving his followers declare their support. In addition, a voter], thus modifying little by little the recommended practice. to guess his political persuasion. His ana- record number of inscriptions to political political agenda," he told a fellow Additionally, letters describing February 21, 2007 the value of a sufficient night lytical style drew nearly half a million parties are being made online, a practice blogger in Lyon. Remaining true to his / of rest will be sent to people people to his site in 2006 alone, 80,000 which has helped reach out to younger theory, Versac maintains his identity as throughout France. The of whom became regulars on the blog. and previously less politically active citi- a distanced philosopher and political Health Ministry has also pub- Those visiting regularly took Versac's zens. The government itself is catching expert, refraining from declaring his lished "Passport to Sleep," an analysis into account at least 50 times, on to the trend. French Minister of support for one candidate over anoth- online guide aimed at improv- engaged in debates on issues he high- Foreign Affairs Philippe Douste-Blazy er. "People on the right would place ing awareness about factors lighted, and used his references to bet- recently invited a number of bloggers to me on the left and vice versa," he that lead to sleep deprivation. ter understand the platform of each the Quai d'Orsay, with the objective of writes. "I have a spirit of contradiction The combination of potential candidate for the upcoming French discussing the place of foreign affairs in extremely well-developed, which for- new office policies and the presidential elections. the current political campaign. bids me from placing myself in the movement toward a better- informed community will help Journalists and media in France Never before has the Internet played same camp as the person with whom I everyone in France get a often point to Versac as the center of such a conspicuous role in France's politi- am debating." For the moment, Versac NEWS FROM FRANCE good night's rest. France's political blogosphère. However, cal life. With the first round of elections a is doing his part to make sure the 6 the popular political blogger authors mere two months away, the phenome- debate continues.
s coups d’oeil leles coups d’oeil Cultural Highlights CULTURE BOLLYWOOD STAR RECEIVES LÉGION D'HONNEUR No “Butts” about New Public Health Initiative
RANCE implemented a new two-step initiative been given a one-year grace period in order to adapt to the aimed at reducing smoking to promote a healthier challenging code, a voluntary regulation strongly encourages community on February 1. The first stage of the restaurant owners to place a "Non-smoking establishment"
F .france-in-india.org restriction prohibits smoking in public facilities, such sticker in their windows. as schools, sports centers, stores, hospitals, doctors' offices, Cigarette smoking remains a prevalent issue throughout © www business offices, train stations, airports, theaters, and all public the world. According to the U.S. National Center for Chronic Amb. Girard confers Légion transportation. The most notable changes, however,will be felt Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, smoking causes d’Honneur upon Bachchan on January 2008, when bars, casinos, discotheques, restaurants approximately one of every five deaths in the United States and cafes every year.Exposure to second-hand smoke has led to a fatality France awarded the Légion d'Honneur to Indian movie star Amitabh Bachchan in a will have to rate of nearly 5,000 French citizens per year, and the government ceremony January 23 at the Embassy of adhere to the is taking the public health initiative very seriously.Some 175,000 France in New Delhi. French Ambassador final half of French agents have been assigned to oversee the legislation's to India, Dominique Girard, presented the the ban. implementation in public spaces, state offices and private work- medal to Bachchan for his contributions Even though places with the duty of penalizing smokers who disregard the law. to Indian and international culture. "It's these social France's smoking ban grants hope for a breath of fresh air and a not a personal achievement but that of venues have healthier society for years to come. l l Indian cinema," Bachchan said upon receiving the honor. “The award also indi- cates that India has arrived forcefully on the global scene.” Bachchan emerged as French Thriller Series “SAS” Releases New Book a movie star during the 1970s, and has since appeared in nearly 160 movies. N the presence of a bronzed female sculp- aptitude comparable to French writers Recently, Bachchan lent his voice to the ture clenching an AK-47 assault rifle Jean-Paul Sartre or Georges Simenon, internationally acclaimed French docu- Ibetween her legs, French novelist Gerard stating during an interview with mentary “March of the Penguins,” which de Villiers produces another contemporary Bloomberg News: "I'm not a novelist, but a will be released in India this spring. action thriller on a vintage IBM typewriter story teller." Novelist or not, Villiers's in his flat located on Paris's chic Avenue books are riveting. THE PLEASURE OF PARIS...... IN YOUR POCKET Foch. It may come as a surprise that a 74- In Villiers's series, the protagonist, an Travelers from all walks of life, including year-old man would produce books packed Austrian prince named Malko Linge, is a backpackers, students, and families, with sex and violence, but Villiers has been rogue intelligence agent who tracks down can now enjoy the services of doing just that for years. In fact, even international criminals. But unlike the fic- Flashbooking.com, a Web site devoted though his novels are rarely sold in book- tional "James Bond," actual current world to promoting alternative forms of stores, Villiers has been on France's best- events fuel the ideas behind Villiers's nov- tourism intended to be more respectful
seller lists since 1965, selling more than asseur els. Basing the plots on current events pro- of native cultures and societies. The site 200,000 copies of each issue from his 166- vides a level of authenticity that can be provides patrons with lists of contacts, strong "SAS" series. attributed to Villiers's access to actual descriptions, pictures, and customer
Inspired by Ian Fleming, the creator of © Thierry V members of the intelligence communi- ratings for budget-friendly and inde- 74-year-old Villiers has published pendent accommodations, many of "James Bond," Villiers heartily acknowl- ty— giving his fictional books a unique 166 issues of “SAS” which are run by locals. Books, guides, edges that he does not possess the literary sense of credibility. l l weather, visa, and immigration are just a few of the topics addressed Young French Musicians Gain Recognition in U.S. by Flashbook's "Travelers Info," the portion of the site dedicat- OUNG Concert Artists (YCA), a professional organiza- February concerts with Philippe Bernhard, Loic Rio, Laurent ed to keeping travelers tion founded in 1961, discovers and launches careers of Marfaing, and François Kieffer, of the Amedeo Modigliani informed and prepared for Ybrilliant, but unknown, young musicians worldwide, Quartet (pictured below). The French quartet won the Sander their long distance voyages. including the likes of Pinchas Zuckerman and Jean-Yves Buchman Memorial Fund Prize of YCA and has been highly Recently, the site added anoth- Thibaudet. Offering an excellent opportunity for young musi- praised by musical commentators and the media. Thanks to the er useful tool — a Free Pocket City Guide of Paris. After a cians, more and more French artists are meeting the standards of YCA, rising concert artists have the opportunity to tour in the quick download, the printable selection to enter the YCA roster. United States, promising to further harmonize cultural exchange and easy to carry ten-page Jean-Frédéric Neuberger, a nineteen-year-old French pianist for decades to come. pocket guide provides travelers February 21, 2007 and recipient of the YCA's John Browning Memorial Prize, per- For more information, please visit: www.yca.org. l l with hints on where to find the / formed at Washington's prestigious Kennedy Center and New best shopping, budget lodgings York's distinguished Carnegie Hall in December, receiving rave and restaurants, museums, and reviews from the Washington Post, Le Journal and the New York art galleries. The pocket guide Times.Lise de la Salle, another critically acclaimed French pianist can be used to explore the his- and member of YCA, entertained guests at French Ambassador torical roots of the city in Jean-David Levitte's residence during a dinner and auction gala "Paris at a Glance." The booklet continues on with a early this February. multitude of fascinating facts The YCA Series at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center is about "The City of Lights." especially renowned for introducing emergent musicians, many For more information, please of whom have gone on to win numerous Grammy awards, visit: www.flashbooking.com. record under major labels, and compose and perform music that NEWS FROM FRANCE has moved audiences all over the globe. YCA concluded its 7 in brief Each year, France offers one to two week France in America all expense paid language and cultural CHEZ NOUS excursions in France to approximately 40 young Americans ranging from the age of 18 to 25. Accommodations, meals, and A Glimpse of France in Southern Virginia activities are provided, although partici- TUDENTS at Virginia Tech in wide-spread support from both pants are responsible for their own travel to and from France. Most trips take place Blacksburg,VA, no longer need to students and faculty in Blacksburg. between June 20 and September 10. Sbook a plane in order to catch The five-weekend series of films, Anyone with a good knowledge of France's latest theater attractions. As which began on January 27 and French and an interest in French language the French & Francophone Film Festival will end on February 24, is hosted and culture can apply through the Web returns to Virginia Tech's campus this month, by Blacksburg's beloved Lyric site: http://frenchculture.org/a_youth- French enthusiasts and curious observers are Theatre, well known for its international-meetings_739.cfm getting a taste of French culture. The festival atson small-town charm. "We are very All applications must be completed by represents one of many events that are taking happy to have the French and April 1, 2007. place on college campuses across the country Francophone film festival in News from FRANCE as part of The Tournées Festival, a program of Blacksburg," Virginia Tech pro- © Janell W the French American Cultural Exchange Blacksburg theatre hosts French film festival fessor and festival organizer EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Program (FACE). Created with the vision of Janell Watson told News From Nathalie Loiseau encouraging college campuses to create their own self-sustaining France. "Our students, faculty, and community members love
EDITORS French film festivals, the program has enjoyed enormous success. French-language cinema, and need more opportunities to see it Agnès von der Mühll, Valérie Luebken The Tournées Festival distributes $140,000 in annual grants, form- on the big screen." The Tournées Festival represents a major ing partnerships with hundreds of universities to bring French-lan- step forward in making that happen. For more information MANAGING EDITOR guage films to over 250,000 college students nationwide. regarding the festival or to apply for a grant at your own school, Thomas Rottcher Virginia Tech first benefited from the grant last year, receiving please visit: www.lestournees.com. l l SENIOR WRITER Elizabeth Farabee Matisse: Painter as Sculptor Debuts in Dallas WRITERS NEW traveling exhibition highlight- Revolutionary technological research Alicia Kenworthy, Corinne Cozort, Christopher Leydig, Carleigh Connelly ing the sculptural achievements of based on a laser scanning process permits AFrench artist Henri Matisse microscopic comparisons between differ- debuted January 21 in Dallas. Featuring over ent sculptures, allowing visitors to see the tech- To change your address, subscribe (for 150 of Matisse's sculptures, paintings, and nical intricacies of Matisse's work. "The exhibi- free) or unsubscribe, please contact: NEWS FROM FRANCE drawings, Matisse: Painter as Sculptor tion will reveal Matisse's complex working FRENCH EMBASSY PRESS & opened concurrently at the Dallas Museum process and provide visitors with the opportu- INFORMATION SERVICE of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center. nity to explore how a drawing developed with 4101 Reservoir Road, NW Washington, DC 20007-2182 Creators of the exhibit hope to draw sculpture or how a sculpture influenced a Tel: (202) 944-6060 attention to the lesser known aspect of painting," explained Dr. Dorothy Kosinski, the Fax: (202) 944-6072 E-mail: Matisse's work, in particular his skill as a project director for the exhibition. [email protected] sculptor. The presentation of a core group The exhibition will be on display
http://www.ambafrance-us.org of 40 sculptures alongside selected pieces through April 29 at the Dallas Museum of http://www.france.diplomatie.fr on paper, paintings, and original pho- Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center, after tographs of the artist at work will help which it will travel to Baltimore and San demonstrate the dialogue between the sec- Madeline I, Henri Matisse Francisco. For more information visit, ond and third dimension in his oeuvre. © 2007 Succession H. Matisse, Paris/ www.matisseindallas.org. l l Artists Rigts Society (ARS), New York February 21, 2007
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