Cercle de lecture : La petite fille de Monsieur Linh par Philippe CLAUDEL

Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on ….

… mercredi 10 avril 2024 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting

(The Link will be emailed to MEMBERS ONLY* on 10 avril 2024)

Cercle de Lecture : La petite fille de Monsieur Linh par Philippe CLAUDEL

With: Brigitte GOURLEY

Join us for a discussion of this short, imaginative novella in the aftermath of war from which M Linh escapes with his grand daughter. Please come along and join the discuss on this intriguing story.

*Please note: While information about our events is circulated to everyone on our mailing list the links giving access to our Zoom meetings are sent only to members and to guests who have paid for one-off attendance (£5). For more information please contact cfbelfast@gmail.com

The Zoom link will be sent to members and registered guests on the morning of the event.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 10^th April.

À bientôt, Philip

Dîner annuel 2024 La Physiologie du Goût

Our Cercle's dîner annuel is taking place later this month and our menu dégustation is inspired by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's La Physiologie du Goût.

Here's the menu. Tempted? 

If so, then to get more information drop us a line at cfbelfast@gmail.com

Journée internationale des femmes : Madame de POMPADOUR

 Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on a Friday rather than on a Wednesday evening. This is because International Women's Day falls on Friday 8 March. So ...

… vendredi 8 mars 2024 à 19h30 will be an online Zoom meeting.

(The Link will be emailed to MEMBERS ONLY* on 8 mars 2024)

Topic: Madame de Pompadour

With: Allison NEILL-RABAUX

Last year Allison’s fascinating talk to mark International Women's Day was widely appreciated and we welcome her back to reveal the story and influence of Madame de Pompadour, patronne of the arts. We feel sure that you’ll not want to miss it.

The Zoom link will be sent to members and registered guests on the morning of the event.

Looking forward to seeing you on Friday 8^th March.

À bientôt, Philip

*Please note: While information about our events is circulated to everyone on our mailing list the links giving access to our Zoom meetings are sent only to members and to guests who have paid for one-off attendance (£5). For more information please contact cfbelfast@gmail.com.

De GAULLE and Algeria

 Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will be …

on: Mercredi 7 février 2024 à 19h.30

in: Room PFC 02/11 in the Peter Froggatt Centre

Queen's University Belfast,

7-9 College Park East, Belfast, BT7 1PS

Topic: De Gaulle and Algeria

Speaker: Sam THOMPSON

We are pleased to welcome Sam to our talks programme and to this in person event. Sam will address us on aspects of his current university research project. Although a specialist himself, Sam’s talk will be aimed at those of us with a more general historical interest.

This will be a special meeting for the Cercle in many ways. Firstly of course because the Cercle has been able to gain the services of a speaker of Sam's standing with such an expert knowledge of this subject which in itself is sure to be of great interest to folk.

Also this will be the first in person talk in quite some time and what a plesure to be able to enjoy it in the pleasant surroundings of Queens University Belfast.

Among the many advantages of this venue is not least the fact that free car parking is easily available … in the University car park at the top of Botanic Avenue, on the university campus itself (entrance on University Square) and on street in the surrounding area.

As always members are able to attend all Cercle events free of charge. If you are not a member or have not renewed your membership (due January 2024) then this would be an excellent opportunity for you to do so on the evening. Of course anyone may attend as a guest for the 'guest fee' of £5.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 7 February.

À bientôt, Philip

Nuit de la Lecture 21 janvier 2024

 

Dancing around La Galette des Rois

Bonne Année à toutes et à tous !

We hope that you have enjoyed the Christmas and New Year festivities and invite you to extend them a little while longer by coming to our Cercle’s Fête des Rois.

Although we will be writing soon to invite you to renew we thought you would like to know that before it expires your current membership entitles you to free admission to the 
Fête des Rois and Bal on Saturday 13 January 2024.

That’s right - Gratuit ! - free admission for members!  So please come along and join in the music and dancing provided by our event partners Bal Feirste.  We’ll also be sharing slices of the traditional Galette des Rois, washed down with a glass of sparkling bubbles.
And… you’re welcome to BYO, Bring your own, to close at 10pm

Quelques détails…
Date and time:  Saturday 13 January 2024 at 7.30pm
Venue:  An Droichead, 20 Cooke Street, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2EP (map attached)
Parking: On street, near premises
Public Transport: Nearest Metro Bus 7A involves some walking.

One last word?
So we have a rough idea of likely numbers would you mind acting on that wonderful French term used for occasions such as this and RSVP - Répondez s’il vous plaît ?

À très bientôt !
CfB Committee

Joyeux Noël 2023

Le comité du Cercle français de Belfast vous souhaite de joyeuses fêtes de Noël et une Bonne Année 2024.  

Kiki de Montparnasse

Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on ….

mercredi 13 décembre 2023 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting

(The Link will be emailed to members on 13 décembre 2023)

Topic: Kiki of Montparnasse

Speaker: Chris TRACEY

We go to the first half of the 20th century to examine the colourful life of Kiki de Montparnasse, born Alice Ernestine Prin. Liberated and flamboyant she became the muse of the avant garde generation. In this talk which contains some adult themes we’ll meet writers and artists. Many have been captivated by her story and we hope you will be too.

Looking forward to seeing you on 13 décembre.

À bientôt, Philip

Ciné-cercle 15 novembre 2023

Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on 

mercredi 15 novembre 2023 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting.

Topic: Ciné-cercle

In this event we shall 'check out' a small sample of the films available on www.tv5mondsplus.com. Below you will find information on, and links to, three films from the TV5MONDE library .. a 'short', a comedy and a documentary. Like all films from TV5MONDE these are free to view and each is available with English subtitles.

If you would like to view one or indeed all of these before 15 November we can discuss (in bookclub fashion) your thoughts on them at the meeting. It will also be a chance to hear from you just what is available free, in French and subtitled on the many media platforms.

I am very much looking forward to hearing your views.

SHORT (2011, 17mins)

THE END

Charlotte Rampling is distraught. Her performance has been totally erased from the film "On ne Meurt que Deux Fois" and replaced by that of another actress... Furious, she's determined to find out exactly what happened.

https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/court-metrage/the-end

FULL LENGTH (2018, 87 mins)

J’IRAI OU TU IRAS

Keen to improve the relationship between his two diametrically opposed daughters, a father finds a way to bring them together for a weekend: Vali, a Céline Dion fan, has clinched an audition in Paris!.

https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/comedie/j-irai-ou-tu-iras

DOCUMENTARY

LA COUR DE BABEL (2013, 90 mins)

They have just arrived in France from Ireland, Serbia, Brazil, Tunisia, China and Senegal. For one year, Julie Bertuccelli films the interactions, conflict and joy experienced by this group of high-school children-aged 11 to 15-as they join the same class to learn French.

https://www.tv5mondeplus.com/en/cinema/documentaire/la-cour-de-babel

Looking forward to seeing you on 15 novembre.

À bientôt, Philip

CfB : Assemblée Générale 18 octobre 2023

 Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on:

mercredi 18 octobre 2023, in the Ramada Hotel 20 Talbot St, Belfast BT1 2LD

Topic: Assemblée générale

You are warmly invited to our first in-person event of the new season on Wednesday 18 October at 7.30pm in the CS Lewis room of the Ramada Hotel, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast.  It’s our AGM and we promise to keep the formal part of our proceedings to a minimum leaving plenty of time for catch ups and a few French-themed items of interest including some music and a special book share for you to take away.

Please see our programme in the tab above.  You will see that most of our events will take place online while the venues for others will be notified prior to the event. 

We are planning to have occasional extra “café causerie” events where else but in our favourite café - The Dark Horse. Be sure then to be signed up for our regular monthly bulletin.

We will also keep you posted on France/French themed events we hear about locally and one such source has caught our attention at the Open Learning Centre at QUB. As well as language classes offered by Cercle stalwarts, Brigitte, Hélène and Vanessa there is also a series of French history talks by Sam Thompson who is the speaker at our February event which we are planning to host in the Queen’s Quarter.

For more information see … www.qub.ac.uk/ol

We hope you agree that it is a wide ranging programme.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday 18 October

À bientôt, Philip

Soirée d'accueil 20 septembre 2023

 Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on ….

… mercredi 20 septembre 2023 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting

Topic: Soirée d’accueil

It’s la rentrée and time to catch up with members near and far with our online launch of the new season. After announcing details of talks and other events we open the mics for an hour of member chat in À vous la parole ! Tell us about your experience of France and things French since we last met. Thinking of joining? Ask us about the cercle.

*Please note: While information about our events is circulated to everyone on our mailing list the links giving access to our Zoom meetings are sent only to members and to guests who have paid for one-off attendance (£5). For more information please contact cfbelfast@gmail.com.

The Zoom link will be sent to members and registered guests on the morning of the event.

Looking forward to seeing you on 20 septembre.

À bientôt, Philip

CfB - new programme coming soon

Chers Amis,

It is that time of year again … summer holidays are over, children are back at school and life returns to its regular rhythms. It is la rentrée. A good time then to give you a heads up on our next Cercle meeting. It will be an online Zoom meeting on Wednesday 20 September. Further details will follow but you might like to mark the date in your diary now.

Also ...

Showing at QFT this week (until 13^th September) is ...The Innocent (L'Innocent) a 2022 French crime comedy film directed by Louis Garrel and starring Roschdy Zem, Anouk Grinberg, Noémie Merlant and Garrel. For more details and show times click on ...

https://queensfilmtheatre.com/Whats-On/The-Innocent

À bientôt, Philip

Bonne fête nationale 2023

 

Promenade en blanc 24 juin 2023

Chers amis, flâneuses et flâneurs

Last year, several members of the cercle met up for our first ever promenade en blanc along Belfast's Maritime Mile. Members told us that they enjoyed the opportunity to be face to face and side by side; they agreed that similar meet-ups should be a regular occurence and so we would like to share details for our second outing on Saturday 24 June at Antrim Castle Gardens.

Details of the rendezvous time and location are set out below.

Venue: Antrim Castle Gardens and Clotworthy House

Date and Time: Saturday 24^th June 11:00

Rendezvous spot: The plan is to meet at Central Car Park*, Castle Mall, Antrim and walk across to the grounds of Antrim Castle Gardens.

* Coordinates: 54.7162046, -6.2186208

Travelling by car: Access to Central Car Park, Castle Mall is from Castle Way (see map and Google image attached). Parking is free at Castle Mall

Train Times: The 10:07 train from Europa Bus/Train Station arrives at Antrim Train Station at 10:46.

Bus Times: With buses from Belfast arriving at Antrim Buscentre at 09:27 and 11:27 travelling by bus is not very covenient.

Duration of Walk: Approx. 60 - 90 mins

We know that several of our members are away on holiday and some lucky ones are in France so it would be helpful to have an indication if you are able to attend - that way we'll know how many madeleines to bring to munch on as we listen to Philip explain the links our location has with France and French history. They may surprise you.

In keeping with the tradition of the Pique-nique en blanc, the inspiration for our promenade, please try if you can to wear something white and, despite the spell of lovely weather, remember to rainproof your walk.

Coming? Please let us know and we'll look forward to seeing you at 11am in Antrim on Saturday 24 June.

CfB Committee

Three colours series

Chers Amis,

During May and June QFT will be screening Krzysztof Kieślowski's classic, award-winning trilogy on France’s national motto: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity … Three Colours: Blue , Three Colours: White and Three Colours: Red.

The first in the series, Three Colours: Blue, will be shown from 26 May until 1 June. For further details please click on the link below ….

Three Colours: Blue

À bientôt, Philip

Grand Corps Malade

Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on...

mercredi 19 avril 2023 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting

Topic : Grand Corps Malade

With : Mary CARBERRY

Mary invites us to share her enthusiasm for the work of French slam poet and lyricist, Fabien MARSAUD, known professionally as Grand Corps Malade / Tall sick body. We feel sure you will appreciate this unique artist's story and repertoire.

*Please note: While information about our events is circulated to everyone on our mailing list the links giving access to our Zoom meetings are sent only to members and to guests who have paid for one-off attendance (£5). For more information please contact cfbelfast@gmail.com.

The Zoom link will be sent to members and registered guests on the morning of the event.

Looking forward to seeing you on 19^th March.

À bientôt, Philip 

Cercle de Lecture : Un Secret par Philippe GRIMBERT

 Chers Amis,

The next meeting of the Cercle Français de Belfast will take place on ….

… mercredi 12 avril 2023 à 19h30 and will be online as a Zoom meeting

(The Link will be emailed to MEMBERS ONLY* on 12 avril 2023)

Cercle de Lecture : Un Secret par Philippe GRIMBERT

With : Brigitte GOURLEY

Join us for a discussion of this short but compelling novel of buried family secrets.

“Growing up in post-war Paris as the sickly only child of glamorous , athletic parents, the narrator invents for himself a make-believe brother, older, stronger, and more brilliant than he can ever be.”

The book is available in French and English and it has also been made into a film/DVD.

BOOK:

ENGLISH Softcover, ISBN 9781846270444

FRENCH Softcover, ISBN 9783150197318

You will find it on Amazon, Ebay, many other online bookstores and on www.bookfinder.com.

FILM/DVD:

“A Secret” directed by Claude Miller. This may be difficult to source but here is a link to the trailer ..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWbsX2L_LJ0

So come along and join in the discussion.

Return of our Cercle's Annual Dinner

 

Details ?    Email : cfbelfast@gmail.com

Pour mieux connaître Madame de Montespan

Chers membres,

Following Allison's excellent presentation on the fascinating life of Madame de Montespan here are some further links, supplied by Allison and Hélène, for you to explore. If you scroll a little further you will find links to “Un Secret” the book to be discussed at our next meeting on 12 April.

Pour mieux connaître Madame de Montespan :

Roman (du point de vue du mari de la marquise)

• Le Montespan, Jean Teulé (Le Montespan: Amazon.co.uk: Teule, Jean: 9782266186742: Books)

• Et la traduction en anglais : The Hurlyburly's Husband (The Hurlyburly's Husband: Amazon.co.uk: Jean Teulé, Alison Anderson (Translator): 9781906040659: Books)

 Roman en anglais

• The Real Queen Of France: Athenais and Louis XIV, Lisa Hilton (The Real Queen Of France: Athenais and Louis XIV: Amazon.co.uk: Hilton, Lisa: 9780349115726: Books)

 

Livre

• Madame De Montespan, Jean-Christian Petitfils (Madame De Montespan (Tempus): Amazon.co.uk: Jean-Christian Petitfils: 9782262030810: Books)

 

Télé

• Mme de Montespan : le grand amour du Roi-Soleil (Mme de Montespan : le grand amour du Roi-Soleil - Secrets d'Histoire TV (secretsdhistoire.tv)). Attention : il faut un compte Secrets d’Histoire

• Secrets d'Histoire - Elles ont régné sur Versailles (Secrets d'Histoire - Elles ont régné sur Versailles (Intégrale) - YouTube)

 

Podcasts

• Sous les jupons de l'histoire - Madame De Montespan (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sous-les-jupons-de-lhistoire/id1544289148?i=1000531046824), 50 minutes

• « A Madame de Montespan », de Jean de La Fontaine (« A Madame de Montespan », de Jean de La Fontaine (radiofrance.fr)), 9 minutes

• L’affaire des poisons ou comment on empoisonne à tout va à Versailles (L’affaire des poisons ou comment on empoisonne à tout va à Versailles (radiofrance.fr)), 3 minutes

Livre du prochain club de lecture : Un Secret / Secret by Philippe Grimbert.

In French

https://www.amazon.co.uk/secret-Ldp-Litterature-Philippe-Grimbert/dp/2253117188/ref=sr_1_2?crid=S5B49PQACTUU&keywords=un+secret+philippe+grimbert&qid=1678308315&sprefix=un+secret+philippe+grimbert%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-2

In English

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Philippe-Grimbert/dp/1846270448/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2I140SFOEUX84&keywords=un+secret+philippe+grimbert&qid=1678308379&sprefix=un+secret+philippe+grimbert%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1

Voici deux autre liens à partager :

Les podcasts d'histoire de Lorànt Deutsch qui sont passionnants : 

https://www.rtl.fr/programmes/entrez-dans-l-histoire

C'est assez difficile à suivre car  Lorànt Deutsch parle très vite et fait beaucoup de blagues, mais on apprend beaucoup de choses !

Stéphane Bern qui anime "Secrets d'Histoire" a publié des livres qui répondent à des questions historiques :

https://www.amazon.fr/pourquoi-lHistoire-St%C3%A9phane-Bern/dp/2290259667/ref=tmm_mmp_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Chaque chapitre fait deux pages environ, c'est très abordable et bien écrit.

À la prochaine !

Allison, Hélène et Philippe