La Une in English: November 2006

’Tis the Season This month, the Thanksgiving holiday reminds students of their family and their country that they miss. Who would ever want to go to class on the infamous turkey day? It is important to remember, though, that holidays can also help us forget any signs of homesickness. The Christmas decorations appearing on rue de Metz as well as in numerous other locations in Toulouse are certainly reasons to be happy, including the decorated store windows and the song “Jingle Bells” playing on our iPods. I couldn’t be happier thanks to all the wonders of the season that everyone waits for throughout the year. I am currently making my bicultural preparations: my White Christmas DVD but this time with some spiced mulled wine. Regardless of religious preference, it is impossible to resist happiness upon hearing Bing Crosby or Mel Tormé’s voice as they sing the Christmas classics. So, for this season, which officially begins in the US at Thanksgiving, I wish you all luck and good cheer for your holiday plans. --Anna Cumbie, editor Monument to Discover: Le Château d'eau Le Château d’eau was built in 1822 in order to systematize the fountains of Toulouse. The building remained fully functioning up until 1870. In 1974 le Château d’eau became a municipal photo gallery. :The building was founded by a photographer and native of Toulouse, Jean Dieuzaide and the inauguration exposition presented the famous photos of the Robert Doisneau collection. Le Château d’eau was the first public gallery in France dedicated to photography. Since its creation, the museum has presented more than 400 expositions. Today, Le Château d’eau features two exposition galleries (the first constructed over the dawn wheels of the basement, and the second in the annex next to the building) as well as two documentation centers with more than 10,000 art and photography books. Presently, the gallery is hosting the Dominique Delpoux photography exposition. Delpoux is a sociologist who uses photography in order to reflect upon the individual identity. It’s really an exposition that questions the manner in which the human identity is perceived. If you enjoy photography and you are passing through Toulouse, go visit the Château d’eau! --Meredith Ship File:Chateau d\'eau.jpg Birthdays in December 13 : Jamie

Péchabou’s “Marché au Gras” A group of three Dickinson students went to Péchabou’s Marché au Gras (Market where you can buy meats specially prepared for entrées like foie gras) on Saturday the 18th of November. Situated at the summit of a hill in Péchabou village, 20 minutes south (by car) of Toulouse, the festival catered numerous local products. At the market we found products pertaining to “gras” recipes (oie gras, canard gras, and foie gras), a farm market (vegetables; plants; cassoulets: Toulouse sausage, white beans and confit; and meats), tasting of Gaillac and Gaillac Doux wines, a book market, as well as works of local artists. The music, flocks of geese encircled by dogs added to the charm of the festival. The Péchabou mayor, Monsieur Karsenti, personally hosted Dickinson reps, and offered a lunch meal composed of two types of foie gras, cheese, and raw ham. Dickinson students brought American desserts that they had prepared in order to share their culture with Péchabou inhabitants. Specialties sold at the Dickinson stand were: banana bread, cheese cake, lemon poppy seed cake, and apple bread. Each treat was appreciated by villagers who in turn shared their food while conversing with Dickinsonians. Le Marché au Gras gave American students the opportunity to meet friendly people from a small village, and to experience another aspect of life in the south of France. --Jamie Wolf Film review: “Prête-moi ta main” « Prête-moi ta main », an Eric Lartigau comedy, is an enjoyable film, and a good change from a series of involved and serious films. Before going to the theater, I didn’t know the actors very well: Alain Chabat and Charlotte Gainsbourg. Now, after having seen the movie, I fully enjoy Chabat’s funny yet ridiculous humour, and Charlotte Gainsbourg’s natural charm and sophistication. Chabat plays Luis, a natural “nose” for a perfume company, and in order to escape the critique of his sisters and mother about his 43 years of solitude, rents Emma (Gainsbourg), his best friend’s sister, as a fiancée who is supposed to marry him and then leave him in ruins. Luis is sure that his plan will work in eliminating the concentration on his private life. The story unfolds as his plan doesn’t end up working out the way he imagines. The games between the couple and the family are entertaining, and Chabat and Gainsbourg make great changes between the comical scenes and those that are a bit more serious. This film is a great example of a French comedy and a parody on family life in the style of the famous “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, to which an audience can only laugh. --Anna Cumbie, editor Cliquez ici pour retourner à la version française.