Les Nouvelles de l`Alliance

Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
QUATORZIÈME ANNÉE, NUMÉRO 4
MARS-AVRIL 2009
Voir un Ami Pleurer
(To see a friend cry)
Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 8:00 p.m. Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College
Alliance Française de Buffalo, Inc.
P.O. Box 721
Buffalo, NY 14207
Phone: (716) 688-4171
Web Site:
www.afbuffalo.org
SAVe
the
DATE!
E-mail contact:
[email protected]
TO BECOME A MEMBER:
Contact: Colette Jowdy
Phone: (716) 706-0505
Courriel: [email protected]
ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP FEES:
Supporting
Individual
Family
Full Time Student
Teacher of French
$85
$40
$50
$20
$25
SEND CHECK TO:
Colette Jowdy
59 Quail Run Lane
Lancaster, NY 14086
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
Rédaction
Send your articles, petites annonces,
(free for AFB members), travel news,
in English or in French, preferably
in digital format, to:
Patricia Schiavone, [email protected]
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION
April 1, 2009
Photography: Paul Pasquarello
This ambitious original play inspired by Jacques Brel’s song by the same name, is the work of the
young French-Belgian playwright Oliver Coyette. The script is at once theatrical, funny and political. It was written in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The reference to the
title of the song reveals some of the sentiments of the author: “America is suffering”.
In the author’s own words: “America
is a huge country. That’s what my
‘American mother’ used to say when
I lived in Seattle for a year. It’s been a
while now, but I’ve kept that thought
in my mind. Do we know this country? I live in Europe now—the French
speaking part, but I still am fascinated
by the ‘American way of life’. Everything ‘new’ comes from you guys,
and it is common sense to say that. In
Europe we have been ‘Americanized
since W.W.II, and I don’t know if it’s
good or if it’s bad. It just is.
A theatrical production presented by the Alliance
Française de Buffalo in partnership with Buffalo State’s
department of Modern and classical languages.
Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall,
Buffalo State College, 1300 Elmwood Avenue,
Buffalo, NY, 14222 (716) 878-3005
A performance by the Atlanta-based francophone
company: Théâtre du Rêve, founded in 1995.
continued on page 2
Dans ce numéro
1
2
3
4
Voir un Ami Pleurer
French Chocolate Expert Benjamin Desmartins
Voir un Ami Pleurer (continued)
La journée de la Francophonie
Ambassador Pierre Vimont visit
Toronto Theatre trip
AFB Holiday Dinner
5 AFB Cooking Workshop
6
AFB Holiday Dinner (continued)
Petites annonces
7
Cercle de lecture du 21 Janvier
8
Calendrier
* Special Insert: Cooking workshop
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
Voir un Ami Pleurer
(continued)
What do we have in common? A lot! Europe has history. America has the present time and the
future to come. We share a lot of our roots. We understand each other....Well sometimes not! But
since September 11, I would say that “We are all American” That’s what Jean-Marie Colombani
wrote in Le Monde, the day after September 11, and I agreed with him. Voir un Ami Pleurer seeks
to establish the forgotten links that bound us, that make us friends and cousins, across that ocean
which also is a sea of dreams.”
As Park Krausen, the artistic director of the theatre troupe explains: “Voir un Ami Pleurer is about
the ever changing dynamic relationship between Americans and Europeans.”
SAVe the DATE!
Wednesday, April 22
8:00pm
The 5-actor play is performed alternately in French with projected surtitles and in English, and
is totally accessible to a wide audience (ages 12 and up) whether one speaks French or not.
The entire play and a separate study guide are available electronically upon request via e-mail
[email protected] or by phone (716) 886-0886, in order to facilitate preparation for attending
the play. If you teach French or Theater, you may want to avail yourself of this exceptional opportunity to enrich your curriculum.
Tickets, modestly priced to allow wide participation, are available at the Performing Arts Center
at Rockwell Hall (716) 878-3005 and on line www.buffalostate.edu/pac
Pre-purchase at preferred prices is encouraged. Call Dawn at the P.A.C. for details.
Coming to Buffalo on Wednesday March 26, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.
Une conférence sur la fabrication du chocolat,
suivie d’une dégustation de produits artisanaux
Une conférence sur la fabrication du chocolat, suivie d’une dégustation de
produits artisanaux!
Prize winning chocolate expert and creator, Benjamin Desmartins, founder
of Le Comptoir du Cacao will lecture on the fabrication of chocolate, the world
wide origins of its raw materials, the transformation of those products, the flavors, the development of its tastes, and the way to marry it with certain alcoholic
beverages. As a young innovative artist in his field of Chocolatier, Mr. Desmartins
has been awarded top prizes at the Salon du Chocolat de Paris and is regularly
invited to participate in the salons (professional shows) of Beijing and Moscow,
as well as in dozens of yearly gastronomical salons throughout France.
After a lecture of approximately 45 minutes (in English), Mr. Desmartins ....
will entertain a question and answer period, followed by a chocolate tasting of
assorted samples.
The presentation proposed by the Délégation Générale of the French Embassy in Washington, as part of a French culture promotion project, is sponsored
locally by the Alliance Française de Buffalo and the Department of Classical and
Modern Languages of Buffalo State College. The event will be held in the Bulger
Communication Center, main floor, on the Buffalo State College Campus, 1300
Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
Admission price to cover the stipend and travel of the lecturer:
$ 5 Full-time students
$10 Alliance Française members and Buffalo State College personnel
$15 General public
Please send your check made out to the Alliance Française of Buffalo
or AFB to: Marianne Vallet-sandre
52 Lexington Avenue
Buffalo, New York, 14222
Contact: Marianne at (716) 886-0886 or [email protected]
2
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
The Alliance Française de Buffalo
Celebrates La journée de la
Francophonie in French Polynesia
L’Alliance Française de Buffalo célébrera
La Journée Internationale de la Francophonie, le dimanche 15
mars 2009, à 14 h 00,
sur le campus de Buffalo
State College, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Butler Library, salle 210.
En 1880, le géographe français, Onésisme Reclus, invente le terme
« Francophonie » pour définir l’ensemble des personnes et des pays utilisant le français. La fondation de plusieurs groupes internationaux se
poursuit à travers les années, et c’est en 1970, au Niger, que la Francophonie fut formellement fondée. De nos jours, elle est connue sous le
nom de l’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (O I F). Elle
regroupe 53 États et gouvernements membres de plein droit, 2 membres
associés et 13 observateurs répartis sur les 5 continents, rassemblés
autour du partage d’une langue commune : le français, qui est parlé par
200 millions de personnes à travers le monde.
Depuis quelques années, l’AFB célèbre l’anniversaire de la fondation
de cette organisation en s’intéressant à une région du globe où le français est parlé. Après avoir présenté le Canada, le Sénégal, Haïti, le Maghreb, et plus récemment l’ex-Indochine, c’est sur la Polynésie française
que nous porterons notre attention le 15 mars prochain.
Grâce à des documentaires et à l’exposition de cartes géographiques, de textiles et d’objets utilitaires et décoratifs, nous aurons un aperçu de la culture et du patrimoine de ce département d’outre-mer. Nous
écouterons de la musique typique et nous regarderons une vidéo des
danses rituelles et culturelles.
Comme de coutume, vers la fin du programme, le public sera convié
à un authentique repas tahitien. Afin d’amortir le coût des ingrédients,
une contribution de 10,00 $ par personne est requise. Nous vous
prions de bien vouloir réserver votre place au plus tard le 7 mars, en
envoyant un chèque payable à l’ordre de l’AFB, à Patricia Schiavone, 103 Eastland Pkwy, Cheektowaga, NY 14225.
Si vous êtes disponibles pour participer à la préparation des mets
samedi le 14 mars, ou bien au service, le jour de la célébration, prière
d’appeler Patricia Schiavone au 895-0415.
Sunday, March 15th, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
in Room 210 of the Butler Library, on the
Campus of Buffalo State College,
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
In 1880, a French geographer by the name of Onésisme Reclus,
invented the term Francophonie to designate the community of people
and countries utilizing the French language for their respective purposes.
The creation of several international organizations followed in subsequent
years, and in 1970, the modern Francophonie was founded in Niger. Today it is known as the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF
in French) and 53 countries or governments are full fledged members,
2 are associates, and 13 are observers, all located on all 5 continents
and united by a shared language: French, which is spoken worldwide by
200 million people.
For the past few years, the AFB has celebrated the anniversary of
the founding of the organization by highlighting a region of the globe
where French is spoken. After having focused on Canada, Senegal, Haiti,
the Maghreb, and more recently ex-Indochina including Vietnam, Laos
and Cambodia, in 2009 we focus on the département d’outre-mer of
French Polynesia.
With the help of presenters as well as through the revue of documentaries and displays of geographical maps, textiles and artifacts both
utilitarian and decorative, we will look at the landscape of this French
department, its culture and its heritage. We will hear its music, admire its
costumes and witness some cultural rituals.
After the presentations, members of the audience will be invited to
join in an authentic Tahitian meal. In order to cover the cost of ingredients,
a contribution of $10.00 per person is required. Please, make your reservation no later than March 7, by sending your check made out to AFB to
Patricia Schiavone 103 Eastland Pkwy Cheektowaga, NY 14225.
Unannounced participants will be accommodated at the door, capacity permitting.
Your help is needed to prepare food on Saturday March 14, and on
Sunday to help serve. If you are available either day, please call Patricia
Schiavone at 895-0415.
–Patricia Schiavone and Sophie Feal
Visit of Mr. Pierre Vimont, Ambassador of France to the United States
FRANCO-AMERICAN
RELATIONS, a lecture
followed by a reception
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
3:00 p.m.
Center for the Arts,
University at Buffalo,
Buffalo, NY.
Ambassador Vimont was appointed Ambassador of France to the United States by President Nicolas Sarkozy
in 2007. Prior to his present appointment, Mr. Vimont was chief of staff to the minister of foreign affairs. Mr.
Vimont holds a degree in Law and is a graduate of the Institute of Political Studies and the National School of
Administration (ENA).
From 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Mr. Vimont will discuss Franco-American relations and will answer questions
from the audience. At 4:00 p.m., a reception will follow which will allow anyone to meet him. The Consul
General of France for New York, Mr. Guy Yelda will accompany Ambassador Vimont on his visit to Buffalo.
This is a rare opportunity for the French and Francophile community and for students to meet Mr. Vimont
and Mr. Yelda. All members of the Alliance Française of Buffalo are officially invited to attend.
It is the first time that a French Ambassador for the United States comes to the University at Buffalo. This
exceptional event was made possible thanks to Mr. Pascal Soares, Honorary French Consul for Western New
York and in collaboration with the University at Buffalo.
3
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
Our Great Yearly Theater
Trip to Toronto is Back!
On May 9, the Alliance Française will celebrate spring with a journée
théâtrale, a day trip to Toronto to see a contemporary French comedy
at the Théâtre Français de Toronto. This will be our sixth journée
théatrale in Toronto since 2002 and the formula has earned its
success. The play, in French with English surtitles, will be Le dîner de
cons by Francis Veber, a hit on the stage and cinema in France.
You must sign up by April 1—no fooling —so that we can be
assured of the best seats at a group discount. Make every effort to
send your check by March 25 to avoid disappointment.
The trip by chartered motor coach will include a visit to the Librairie
Champlain, with Ontario’s largest selection of books, periodicals and
games in French, and dinner at a downtown restaurant after the play.
If you are not interested in the Librairie Champlain, there are one or
two small restaurants nearby for lunch. Those wishing to visit the
bookshop are urged to bring a sack lunch to eat on the bus.
Here are the prices, including a ticket to the play and transportation:
$53 for âge d’or, those 60 and over, and students, and $57 for others.
Checks must be received by April 1 by Mary Grace Duggan, 418
Lincoln Parkway, Buffalo, N.Y. 14216, who is co-chairing the event
with Paul Carroll. Those signing up later may reserve a seat on the
coach, if space permits, but will have to order their own theater tickets.
Space on the coach is limited; to procrastinate is to be disappointed!
If you wish to travel with us and spend the day on your own instead of
attending the play, the cost is $35.
Here’s what Guy Mignault, artistic director of this fine theater, says of
Le dîner de cons: “Could Veber be the Molière of our time? This piece
has become synonymous with scathing comedy that denounces the
excesses of today’s society. Its premise begins with some characters
tracking down a complete idiot and inviting him to dinner with the
intention of mocking him the entire evening without him ever realizing
it. But the game does not unfold as planned. The result is one of the
most hilarious and intelligent comedies of our age.” We can discuss
how best to translate the title into English!
We will leave from the Koessler Center parking lot of Canisius
College at 10:00 a.m. We have permission from Campus Security to
leave our cars there. We will visit the Librairie Champlain, and then
attend the 3:00 p.m. performance, followed by dinner at Le Papillon
(French and French Canadian specialties.) We will return to Canisius
about 10:00 p.m.
To cross the border, U.S. citizens must bring a passport (even if
expired) or a birth certificate and a valid driver’s license. (Stricter rules
for documents take effect June 1.) If not a U.S. citizen, bring you
green card, or passport with visa, or refugee travel document.
The trip is sponsored by the Alliance Française de Buffalo as a
service to its members, and is intended neither to be subsidized nor
to be a fund-raiser. Full refunds will be made if the trip is canceled.
Otherwise, refunds will be made only for serious reasons and at the
discretion of the Alliance. For further information, call Paul Carroll at
883-9378. –Paul Carroll
AFB Holiday Dinner
The annual Holiday Dinner took place at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on Sunday, December
7. Always a popular event, more than ninety “convives” celebrated on a beautiful and snowy
Buffalo evening. The evening’s festivities began with an icebreaker game created by Marianne
Vallet-Sandre. The name of a famous French person was taped to the back of each guest who
in turn had to elicit clues from others about the identity. Cocktails and a sumptuous table of
hors-d’oeuvre were served during the game as guests mingled and perused the silent auction
items which included an interesting assortment of restaurant certificates and theme baskets.
The dinner menu, selected by Alessandra DeSimone, included soup, salad, a choice of main
course and dessert. Live music was provided for everyone’s pleasure by a trio of young jazz
musicians from Cheektowaga High School who generously donated their time and talents to
enliven the event with seasonal songs.
AFB President Patricia took to the podium as mistress of ceremonies after dinner. She
welcomed all and introduced the officers and directors. She also announced the names of the
successful bidders of the silent auction as well as the raffle winners. Over fifty raffle items were
awarded before the grand finale—the announcement of the two grand prize winners of trips to
Paris and Cannes. These lucky winners are Marcy Hutchings and Gerald Fierenza, both non
members but who had purchased their ticket from our member Jose Ventura (past winner). As
in past years, Drs. William and Geneviève James and Dr. Alain and Susan Eluard generously
donated the use of their condominium in Cannes and Paris for the grand prize. Proceeds from
the sale of the trip tickets will fund the 2009 AFB summer study in Strasbourg, France for one
local high school student.
4
The evening’s merriment was photographed by our professional Paul Pasquarello.
–Nancy Burns
Gabrielle Goujon and Bill James dancing
•See more AFB Holiday Dinner photos on page 6
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
Sucré Salé Update: The technique session of
November 22, 2008, featuring “Terrines & Pâtés”
On a cold crisp morning I was ready to join my fellow food aficionados for
another cooking workshop taught by Marianne and Alessandra. After a hot
cup of coffee and a croissant with jam, I was ready to learn the differences
between terrines and pâtés. I have to admit, before the cooking workshop,
I thought foie gras was the only type of pâté, and I had no clue what a
terrine was. I had a lot to learn. In the introduction alone, I learned the difference between the two.
The ten of us gathered around the kitchen island in Marianne’s house.
Some of the ingredients were pre-chopped and measured to cut down
on the prep time. We were shown some time saving steps in cleaning and
chopping leeks, along with how to prepare a couple of different fish for a
wonderful seafood terrine. We are always encouraged to jump in and help
chop, mix, and stir various ingredients.
We prepared a terrine de poissons à la verdure (fish terrine), pâté végétarien aux champignons (vegetarian mushroom pâté), and a pâté de veau
et porc en croûte (veal and pork pâté in a crust.) Just like in a TV cooking
show, we prepared the items, but because of time constraints in cooking
and setting, in order to taste the preparations, we had to rely on pâtés and
terrines that Marianne and Alessandra had made at an earlier time.
As with all the cooking workshops, at the end of the cooking, we gathered
in the dining room around the beautifully set table to enjoy a sampling of
everything we made. –Thomas Camuso
Clockwise from right:
Pâté detail, working
together! Thomas Camuso
(author of the article) rolls
out the dough for Pâté en
croute under Alessandra’s
watchful eye!, Group shot,
Alessandra shows the pre
and post baking pâté
5
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
AFB Holiday Dinner continued
Congratulations to composer, AFB
member, Persis Parshall Vehar
In March 2009, three premieres of Persis Parshall
Vehar’s music will be performed in the Buffalo area.
The Freudig Singers, Roland Martin, Conductor,
commissioned her The Heart Replies to Music for
their 25th Anniversary Season. The new work will be
premiered on their gala concert on Saturday, March
21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Lancaster Opera House. On
Thursday, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the Burchfield
Penney Art Center, the Amberg Quartet will premiere
her The Seasons with Charles Burchfield “seasons”
paintings and commentary by Curator Nancy
Weekly. Amberg members, John Fullam, Principal
Clarinetist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra,
and Persis will premiere her Jukeboxe Dances on the
same program. Persis Parshall Vehar is Composerin-Residence at Canisius College in Buffalo.
Photos from above: Nancy Burns, (author of the article), Steve Curvin, Elizabeth Curvin
and Corinne Curvin. Group shots of AFB Holiday Dinner.
Félicitations à la famille Yammine à l’occasion de la
naissance de leur fils : Neil Alexis, le 6 décembre,
2008. Sa maman, Layla nous parle de lui :
Le Premier Jour du Monde
00 h 16 min, un 6 décembre 2008 tapissé d’une
première neige toute limpide et toute claire.
Un petit bonhomme pose un premier regard sur
les objets banals et leur donne des ailes : une aile
afin qu’ils deviennent rêves pour commencer, une
seconde afin qu’ils battent leur campagne au gré
du vent et des couleurs.
C’est que le petit bonhomme en question est
doté d’un prénom qui glisse et puis s’envole
porté deux fois par ce « l » fluide, 12e lettre et 9e
consonne de l’alphabet latin.
Neil Alexis Yammine dont les initiales « N.A.Y. »
chantent la musique d’un instrument si modeste
qu’il signifie « roseau », est un roseau rêvant qui
illumine la modeste existence de sa famille.
Son prénom a pour homonyme le mot « Nil »
le plus long fleuve du monde, en arabe, et un
diminutif possible de Nicolas dans certains pays
d’Europe du nord, Saint-Nicolas étant le patron
des enfants au souvenir commémoré justement
le 6 décembre.
Voyageant d’ores et déjà sous le signe d’un
fleuve généreux et d’un saint prodigue d’orient,
ce chasseur de poussière d’étoiles a laissé une
première empreinte de ses pieds sur une photo
de la Voie lactée. Puisse-t-il toujours avoir à
l’avenir les pieds sur terre mais la tête, elle, bien
haut dans les étoiles.
Welcome | Bienvenue!
Kumar Bahuleyan
Douglas Bailey
Anne Brown
Elizabeth Chaput
Natalie Debikey
6
881-3376
942-6662
837-9163
839-9961
626-3269
Eden Dedrick
Holly Erwin
Merle Foraker Amy Proctor
Andrea Schillaci
652-8078
433-3949
(917) 622-4014
310-1026
883-3798
NATIONAL FRENCH CONTEST
The 2009 National French Contest (Le Grand
Concours) will take place in Western New York on
Thursday, March 19. All students studying French
are eligible, whether in private, public, home school
or clubs or by private tutors, from Grades 1 through
12. Participation has grown to over 100,000
students nationwide. Eligibility rules include the
criteria necessary to place students fairly in Le Grand
Concours. For more information or enrollment forms,
please contact Catherine Lochtefeld at nfcwny@aol.
com or 833-9772.
Les Nouvelles de l’Alliance
Cercle De Lecture Du 21 Janvier
Are you seeking to avoid
the ennui of winter, to escape from these cold,
bleak Buffalo days? You need only to join the
Cercle de Lecture to escape to the far corners
of this world, (or other worlds for that matter) to
find adventure and intrigue, to engage in warm
and hearty discussions on life and on the human
condition. You are guaranteed a most exciting
and memorable evening.
The January meeting, held on January 21
at the lovely home of Geneviève James, proved
to be a fine example. Members discussed two
short works, both translated into French. The
first, Roman en neuf lettres, written by Fédor
Dostoïevski in 1847, was translated into French by
Ely Halpérine-Kaminsky. The second, Manuscrit
trouvé dans une bouteille, was written by Edgar
Allan Poe in 1833, and translated into French by
Charles Baudelaire. Both works, written within
a short time of each other, promoted lively and
engaging discussion.
Roman en neuf letters is comprised of
nine letters or correspondances between two
gentlemen, Petre Ivanovich, and Ivan Petrovich.
Petre’s first letter to Ivan complains of his wildgoose chase around Petersbourg looking for
Ivan in order to personally give him an urgent
message. In this letter, Petre condemns Ivan for
introducing him to a certain Eugène Nikolaïtch.
Not that Eugène was not charming and amiable,
but rather, Petre laments, that in opening his
arms and home to Eugène, he was indeed
“putting a cord around his neck.” Ivan responds
that, while Petre was looking all over town for
him, he was indeed at home. Ivan tells Petre
that he doesn’t meddle in others’ business. If
he didn’t want Eugène in his home, all he had
to do was to refuse him entry. Ivan speaks of
Eugène’s great wealth, implying that friendship
with this man would be advantageous to both
of them. Ivan also claims that Petre is neglecting
the terms of a business deal drawn up between
them. Petre makes excuses for his absence in
claiming that he was called to stay with his aunt
who had suffered from a stroke and who later
died. Ivan discovers that Petre has lied about the
date of his aunt’s death. The letters continue.
Ivan claims that Petre borrowed 350 roubles
from him without giving him a receipt. Petre
claims that it wasn’t a loan; were it a loan, he
would certainly have been given a receipt. Ivan
threatens blackmail, even force, claiming that he
possesses certains documents that could harm
Petre. The tone degenerates and the letters
which began in a formal, respectful manner have
deteriorated into name calling and accusations.
The base and deceptive character of both of
these men becomes readily apparent.
The last two letters deliver the coup de
grâce. The eighth letter, from Ivan to Petre,
actually contains two notes. The first, written
on soft pink paper two weeks prior, was from
Petre’s wife Ana to Eugène. In this note, Ana
professes her love to Eugène and complains
that she was unable to meet him because of
her husband’s presence. The second, from Ivan,
tells Petre that he’ll be leaving soon for the city
of Simbirsk and Eugène will remain with Petre.
Ivan sarcastically wishes them happiness. The
ninth letter, from Petre to Ivan, also contains two
notes. The first, dating back three months, is a
letter from Tatiana, Ivan’s wife, to Eugène. She
professes her undying love to Eugène and states
that she will marry Ivan the next day. She laments
her terrible fate, for were it not for her aunt who
found a man willing to marry her, a young girl
without a dowry, she would be all his. The
second note is a sarcastic from Petre to Ivan. He
says he neither takes from the pockets of others
(notes? money?) nor picks up rags of paper from
the streets. He also states that Eugène will also
be leaving soon for Simbursk and asks Ivan if
he’d like to be Eugène’s companion. It is obvious
that both men are now eager to rid themselves
of Eugène Nikolaïvich.
Though these letters comprise but eight
pages, they speak volumes. One gets a glimpse
of Russian society at that time period. What an
honor to associate with a rich young man who
might help each in his own self-agrandissement.
Deception is rampant. Ana deceives Petre, Tatiana
has married under one man while continuing to
love another, the two men, Ivan Petrovich and
Petre Ivanovich are the mirror images of each
other, or as one member asked, “Are they one
and the same person?” We questioned who the
true victims of this story are. I found it amusing
that as the relationships disintegrate, Ana returns
the farce “Don Quixote” (having a main theme
of deception) to Tatiana, from whom she had
borrowed it.
All members read the story more than once
and found that in each reading, they discovered
more clues and foreshadowing of what was to
come. Ivan, in letter six, claims “La plume est si
trompeuse.” and “La vipère se cache souvent
sous les fleurs.” Quelle vipère, cet Eugène!
Several members feel that this work is
well suited to the stage and would love to see
it presented at the theatre. Our one Russian
member, having read the story in both languages,
felt that nothing was lost in translation. This text
was truly enjoyed by all.
The second selection, a short story entitled
Manuscrit trouvé dans une bouteille, was
also discussed. In this narrative, a young man
describes his harrowing voyage and personal
transformation. The narrator first describes his
fine education and ability to rationalize based on
the principles of science. He boasts of his lack of
imagination and disdain for superstition.
What begins as a calm voyage abord a
cargo ship sailing along the coast of Java soon
turns into a nightmare. The ship is hit by a
Simoon- a combination of sand storm, typhoon
and hurricane. The ship capsizes and all but the
narrator and an old Swede are lost at sea. The
old Swede is filled with superstitious terror as
they are surrounded by horror and gloom. Every
moment threatens to be the last. The ship then
collides with a huge black galleon reminiscent of
bygone days, and the narrator is thrust abord
this strange and eerie vessel.
The narrator is filled with awe, doubt and
apprehension as he wanders about the ship.
In front of him he sees old, seemingly ancient
men are gliding to and fro and huddling around
decaying navigational charts and archaic
instruments. The men, however, are unaware of
his presence, even as he takes materials from
the captain’s cabin to write this manuscript that
he vows to cast to sea at the final moment.
The narrator, so schooled in reason, is filled
with feelings and sensations beyond analysis. No
words can accurately describe the new element
added to his soul. Is it madness experienced
on the brink of death? He is filled with curiosity
as well as horror, hope as well as despair. He
comes to discover that not everything can be
known by the principles of reason and that he
must experience death to fully understand it.
As he approaches the final abyss, he finds it
exciting that he is hurrying toward some exciting
knowledge that can only be imparted through
destruction.
Members cited other works of Poe and the
mystery, terror, and madness found within. The
lives of both Poe and Baudelaire were discussed
as well as the influence of Poe on the works
of Baudelaire. The group as a whole found the
translation fluid and direct, though the nautical
terms were at times troublesone.
Both selections provided food for hearty
discussion and a very enjoyable evening. Please
feel free to join our lively group at future meetings.
–Mary Claire Kosek
CERCLE DE LECTURE ANNOUNCEMENT
ALL ARE INVITED!
Le Cercle de Lecture continues to meet monthly.
Meetings take place at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday March 18, 2009
At the home of Marianne Vallet-Sandre
52 Lexington Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222
RSVP: 886-0886
Dr. Gisèle Feal will lead the discussion on the
bilingual French/English play: Voir un ami pleurer
(to see a friend cry) by Olivier Coyette, in anticipation
of the April 22, 2009 performance at Buffalo State
College.
You may request an electronic copy of the play by
sending an e-mail to Marianne Vallet-Sandre
[email protected]
Wednesday April 29, 2009
At the home of Geneviève James
319 North Forest Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
RSVP: 633-4766
We will discuss a short text: Un drame au bord de
la mer by Honoré de Balzac.The text can be
downloaded from: www.litteratureaudio.com.
7
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QUATORZIÈME ANNÉE, NUMÉRO 4
MARS-AVRIL 2009
Mars
Avril
GROUPES DE CONVERSATION
MATIN: tous les jeudis
HEURE: 10 h 15–11 h 45. LIEU: Quaket Bonnet Eatery, 175 Allen St.
CONTACTEZ: Paul Carroll au (716) 883-9378
SOIR (Williamsville): tous les lundis
HEURE: 18 h 30. LIEU: Café Starbucks,. 5429 Main St., Williamsville
CONTACTEZ: Oleg Voronin au (716) 837-7430, [email protected]
BOARD MEETING
DATE: Wednesday March 11 TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Amherst Community Church Library, 77 Washington Hwy, Amherst
CONTACT: Patricia Schiavone at (716) 895-0415 or [email protected]
PLAYGROUP
DATE: Saturday March 7 TIME: 2-4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Amherst Community Church Child Care Center
77 Washington Hwy, Snyder, NY 14226
CONTACT: Celine Nganga at [email protected] or (716) 884-4354
CELEBRATION DE LA FRANCOPHONIE
DATE: Sunday March 15 TIME: 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Butler Library, room 210. Buffalo State College
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY. 14222
CONTACT: Patricia Schiavone, at (716)895-0415 or [email protected]
CERCLE DE LECTURE
DATE: Wednesday March 18 TIME: 7:00 p.m. “Voir un Ami Pleurer”
by Oliver Coyette
PLACE: 52 Lexington Avenue, Buffalo, NY
CONTACT: Marianne Vallet-Sandre at [email protected] or (716) 886-0886
FABRICATION DU CHOCOLAT LECTURE
DATE: Thursday, March 26 TIME: 7:30 p.m.
PLACE: Bulger Communication Center, Buffalo State College
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
CONTACT: Marianne Vallet-Sandre, at [email protected]
or (716) 886-0886
GROUPES DE CONVERSATION
MATIN: tous les jeudis
HEURE: 10 h 15 - 11 h 45. LIEU: Quaket Bonnet Eatery, 175 Allen St.
CONTACTEZ: Paul Carroll au (716) 883-9378
SOIR (Williamsville): tous les lundis
HEURE: 18 h 30. LIEU: Café Starbucks,. 5429 Main St., Williamsville
CONTACTEZ: Oleg Voronin au (716) 837-7430, [email protected]
BOARD MEETING
DATE: Wednesday April 8 TIME: 7:00 p.m.
PLACE: Amherst Community Church Library, 77 Washington Hwy, Amherst
CONTACT: Patricia Schiavone at (716) 895-0415 or [email protected]
PLAYGROUP
DATE: Saturday April 18 TIME: 2-4:00 p.m.
PLACE: Amherst Community Church Child Care Center
77 Washington Hwy, Snyder, NY 14226
CONTACT: Celine Nganga at [email protected] or (716) 884-4354
FRENCH THEATER PRODUCTION–“Voir un Ami Pleurer”
DATE : Wednesday, April 22 TIME 8 :00 p.m.
PLACE: Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, Buffalo State College
1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY.
CONTACT: Tickets & Info. PAC. Office (716) 878-3005 & online:
www.buffalostate.edu/pac
CERCLE DE LECTURE
DATE: Wednesday April 29 TIME: 7:00 p.m. “Drame au bord de mer” by Balzac
PLACE: 319 North Forest Road, Williamsville
CONTACT: Geneviève James at [email protected] or (716) 633-4766
Save
the Date
Saturday May 9: Journée Théatrale à Toronto