The Paris Chapter: 22-28 May
Qi gong, breakdancing, Todd Haynes, Cannes festival films, street arts and yet another treasure hunt.
The art of translation was something I never put thought to, until it came to trying to express the subtleties of my hopes, needs and desires in a foreign tongue. As a writer and creative director, words are my toys, paintbrushes I can lovingly choose from to direct the mood one way or another.
The process of mastering French (like any construction project, running well behind schedule) often feels like a 1000-piece puzzle, flipping from “who the hell designed this thing?” to childlike elation at finally pulling a section together, from doggedly making progress to spending an hour with seemingly nothing to show.
I’m looking forward to Tuesday’s translation event, to digging into how the experts tackle the issue, alongside the larger topic of identity (yay/nay on the Sapir-Whorf front?).
Here’s to loving the maddening journey, to seeing a richer experience of Paris and a firmer grasp of French as twin strands, each feeding the other.
Art salve
Norman Foster, Centre Pompidou (4e)
Une rêverie. Celebrating one of the world’s foremost architects, with an immense exhibition that puts everything from his initial doodles to notes-to-self to final presentations on show, alongside works from his inspirations (Brancusi, Boccioni and Weiwei amongst them).
The retrospective charts the highlights of his six decade career (130 projects in total), culminating with Foster & Partner’s plans for taking organic architecture to the Moon and Mars (the sky’s no longer the limit).
Immersive, exquisite, impelling. If you’re a fan of architecture and design, don’t delay: you’ll want a second viewing.
17€ full price admission, www.centrepompidou.fr
While you’re in the neighbourhood:
Eat: Kitchen or Le Chef Thai for a quick refuel
Caffeinate: Partisan
Snack: Ground to Grow’s GF/DF banana bread
Stock up: Mon Épicerie, haven for Wholefoods-esque, hard-to-find goodies
French resource
Let’s be honest, the standard “listen to French every day” advice can be hard going; if I don’t follow news on the radio in English, why would I all of a sudden be delighted to do it in French?
The bleedingly obvious solution: find the French equivalent of my favourite type of podcasts*. Change Ma Vie was my first solid catch, 10-15 minute nuggets of wisdom from master coach Clotilde Dusoulier, on everything from beating procrastination to making better decisions. She speaks clearly (though occasionally quite fast; see last week’s edition for a tool for that), with the short runtimes making it a perfect accompaniment for a metro ride or strolling to meet a friend.
*I’m still hunting for an equal to The Knowledge Project; if you know of one, please do tell!
What’s on
Mon 22
Noob night, Les Écuries (2e), 7.30pm
“Friends, drinks & strangers” is the tagline for this story-driven event that sees three people take the stage to share their passions.
Free. Reservation recommended
Tues 23
The Task of Translation, American Library (7e), 7.30pm
Three translators - including Cécile Wajsbrot, author of the newly released Nevermore - discuss the experience of moving between different languages and times.
Free. Reservation required
Thur 25
La Vie Pour de Vrai, Lost in Frenchlation (6e), from 7pm
A special English-subtitled screening of this new French comedy starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and Danny Boon, preceded by a short stand-up set by Elspeth Gaty.
From 13€. Grab a ticket
OCCAM Ocean, Reid Hall (6e), 7pm
Composer Éliane Radigue brings together a small group of performers to create compositions based on images of water. Known for her focus on electronic music, Radigue - now 90 - has spent the past two decades composing primarily for acoustic instruments.
Free. Reservation required
Fri 26
Brocante, Boulevard Henri IV (4e), 7am - 7pm, Sat also
Another chance at treasure, with 250 stalls to browse. Expect jewellery, furniture, clothing, art and a whole array of curios.
Pathé presents Le Festival de Cannes (2e), until Sun
Who doesn’t love a sneaky preview? See a selection of films showing at this year’s festival, months before they officially hit cinemas. Showing only at Pathé’s Opéra Premier location.
14.20€ per ticket. Full details
Far from Heaven, Centre Pompidou (4e), 8pm
The 2002 drama starring Julianne Moore is screening as part of the museum’s Todd Haynes retrospective. Tickets are an absolute steal!
5€ full price. Buy ticketsLe Printemps des Rues, various locations, through Sun
A 3-day festival celebrating street arts, in the surrounds of Canal Saint-Martin. This year’s theme is ‘identity’, exploring questions such as “How to be yourself when you don’t meet the criteria imposed by our culture?” through the lens of theatre, dance, puppetry, circus, and musical performances.
Free. Full program
Sat 27
Marché des livres et des zines #4 (19e), through Sun
Niche magazine fetishists, this one’s for you. Bar/ cultural space Floreal Belleville is hosting a market for self-published artists and writers; you can see who’ll be exhibiting via their IG.
Free. Full details
FREESTYLE, La Villette (19e), until Sun
A weekend festival toasting urban culture in all its expressions, from skateboarding to graffiti art to a giant roller jam. Of key interest: several hip hop and breakdancing battles pitting performers from around the world.
Free. Full program
Les Temps du Corps, Bois de Vincennes (12e), until Mon
Dip into the energy arts with this annual festival (30 years running) of Qi Gong, Chinese medicine and culture. Learn how to craft a balanced relationship between yin/yang, man/nature, and body/mind with a full schedule of workshops and demonstrations. Qi Gong has been an invaluable tool in my self-care practice for well over a decade, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
15€. Instruction en français. Grab your ticket
Sun 28
Paris Yoga Club, Sputnik (2e), 2.30pm
If you’ve been meaning to (re)start yoga but, you know, haven’t quite got there yet, this gentle 60 minute practice is just the ticket. Open to all, irrespective of experience, age or background, with the small class size (15 max) ensuring individual attention.
6€. Instruction in Franglais. Reserve your spotPOPOUT Collector’s Print launch, SAFE Urban Concept (3e), 6pm
Mingle with the indie mag set at the launch of POPOUT’s latest collector’s edition, highlighting artistry across all mediums. Drinks, music, plus a Q&A with the Founder & Editorial Director, Aalyiah N. Heath.
Free. RSVP
Coming up
Grab tickets for We Love Green, the music/eco festival on 2-4 June.
Almost gone
The Musee de l’Orangerie’s ‘Matisse. Cahiers d’art, the pivotal 1930's’ expo closes on May 29.
Learn about the purpose of The Paris Chapter and how you can help shape it.
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Thanks for being here,
Jenni