Celebrating Bastille Day
Bon Soir,
Ca va
It was the night before Bastille Day and so the club decided to ‘notice’ this major French historical event. French dress was called for and many of us found something in the cupboard that had originated in France. One member came with his baguette, French wine and natty scarf; another in a French T shirt had a string of onions. Others found a dress which said made in France – it was something with style. But the winner was Ari Gerloff, specially chosen by the speaker, because with his striped shirt and beret at a rakish angle he looked just like a French boulange.
The speaker was Alex Summerlee, a lawyer at Parry Fields, who is fluent in French and has spent some time in France.
Alex started to study French as a teenager at Middleton Grange and carried it right through to Year 13.
He was selected as one of four young people from New Zealand to be part of the commemoration of the start of World War I in 2014 in Paris. It was an exciting fortnight and gave him a chance to sample French history as well as to meet people from all the countries who had fought on the Allied side in World War II. He was amazed to meet the Ukrainians who were there for the party.
On the Champs Elysee with the NZ contingent rehearsing for the 2014 WWI Centenary Bastille Day parade.
NZ contingent with the Attorney General at the NZ Ambassador’s residence in Paris
Two years later he was back in France – this time he was to enjoy a home stay for six months with a family in Avignon. Alex has realised that he would never become fluent in conversational French unless he took the opportunity to live in the country.
Alex with the kids from his homestay family in Avignon
Avignon, a medieval city in the Provence region, appealed to him. It was once the home of the Papacy in the 14th century and it still has an enormous papal palace as well as the famous ‘pont’ . It was in an area rich in Roman and medieval ruins such as the Pont de Gare, the theatre at Orange and other wonderful treasures in Nimes and Arles.
During his time in France, Alex encountered much of what we consider the stereotypical French behaviour.
The food was completely French and he spoke of the taste of garlic which makes snails palatable, the frogs legs that are like chicken, the wonderful banquettes, the truffles, sausages and even the lamb’s brains – almost impossible to buy in New Zealand because of the French demand.
He also spoke of the wine. He arrived at the same time as the new vintage Beaujolais went on sale- always a special week or so in France.
Alex also found the French a traditional Catholic country and he enjoyed the numerous religious processions. He also loved the French love of culture and music. He went to many concerts and was often asked to play the piano after a meal. He could delight his hosts with everything from Jazz to Beethoven as well as Ravel and Chopin.
He found the mid-winter Christmas wonderful and showed pictures of how the Provence French have their own version of the crib scene.
He is now a qualified solicitor and in his firm, he works with the French clients – he has a valuable language asset.
Lois you made a great start.
Jenny Haworth