French word of the week: La mémoire (2/Nov/2023)

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I won’t sugarcoat it, it is not easy to write a cheerful newsletter with all that is going on in the world right now. In France we’re currently in school holidays, and with the innocence of children fluttering on about halloween, it seemed more appropriate to pause and give space to the important news of the day.

The terrorist attacks and horrifying conflict in the Middle East have also provoked several alerts across France. There has been an attack at a high school that left another teacher dead. The French government is at “Vigipirate red”, meaning the highest level alert.

Fittingly, yesterday was November 1st, public holiday in France for All Saints’ day, which is basically a day to remember those who have passed away. And it leads to another public holiday on November 11th for Remembrance Day (Armistice).

French word of the week: La mémoire (2/Nov/2023) 1 — Tomb of the Unknown soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris

How many times can we say “never again” and actually mean it? Anyway, I’ll try to come up with something better next week after the kids are back in school, but until take care (and maybe turn off social media? I shall endeavour to take my own advice.)

In other news:

There is a bed bug outbreak in Paris, with the creatures being spotted everywhere from movie theatres to the metro. (I confess I panicked and bought several anti-bug mattress covers, because who wants to deal with that!)
The “ecological” Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo has taken a month-long trip to the French island of Tahiti all the way in the South Pacific, to “inspect the surfing facilities for next year’s Olympics”. No comments as to whether Parisian taxpayers paying for this.
The German publication DW throws flowers at President Macron for the economic situation in France, compared to Germany.
Le Figaro compiles a list of 10 châteaux currently for sale in France that would still be a lot cheaper than buying an apartment in Paris.
The “Best Pastry chef in the world” title has finally been awarded to a woman for the 1st time ever. (Yes, in 2023.) The winner is Frenchwoman Nina Métayer who gets her own wikipedia page.