F R A N C E I N M A L T A

Bonj(o)u(r) 1

Bonj(o)u(r)

Press in Malta is as varied and as

vivid as it could be. The broad spectrum of issues covered in the different newspapers, news magazines, supplements and special editions leaves any newcomer to the island admiring the vitaliy of the press and the capacity of the people behind to unceasingly unearth unique stories for their readers.

As a writer, journalist, editor and commentator myself, I should mention there are few places with a comparable population in the world with such variety and vivacité.

As French Ambassador to Malta, I am proud to note that there is no dearth of news items on France be it on our internal politics, our actions in the european and the international scene, on haute coûture, l’art de vivre française, tourism spots in France and of course, sports. Which is why a newagazine on France doesn’t seem necessary at first glance.

The members of my team that came up with the concept of an on-line news magazine did however had a solid point when they expressed the need to build bridges between Maltese, francophones, francophiles in Malta, French people living here and France through information.

Bonj(o)u(r) thus aims to create or recreate bonds, something I’ve always aimed at doing and hope to have achieved a bit since assuming my post here two years ago.

I hope the selection of articles and the variety of themes appeals to you. I know from personal experience that the pilot issue of any newspaper or magazine is crucial and that constructive feedback from readers has to be taken into account in order to reshape the magazine if need be.

A lot of hard work in perspective. I do wish the team all the best.

Sincerely yours,

Daniel Rondeau

The glocal news magazine on France

La rentréePoliticians, Diplomats and parents return to work when pupils pack their new schoolbags to go to SchoolPage 2

Tackling Global povertyThe UN and member states attempt to alleviate global poverty. France intends to promote innovative ways of financing aidPage 3

Fashion, Art, etc. Cultural news from France and daring feats by various artistsPages 4, 5 & 6

France and MaltaCultural and personal links that have built strong bonds across the ages. A quick look at the ones that date back centuries and the ones that are still alive todayPage 7

Organic food and businessGood eating makes good business

Page 8

Events calendarCheck out what’s coming up until next Christmas : The French Autumn in Malta !Page 10

Monthly! N°1 - October 2010

Daniel Rondeau, looking out from his office window situated in Melita Street in Valletta

N A T I O N

2! Bonj(o)u(r)

The end of summer in France signals the arrival of la rentrée, a period of time in late August and early September that marks a new chapter in education, politics and culture. A noun derived from the French verb rentrer, meaning "to return" or "go back," la rentrée represents not only a national return to ordinary routine, but a time to mentally prepare for new beginnings after the rhythm of the summer months.

La rentrée scolaire: Back to School

Refreshed after a two-month vacation, French students returned to school on September 2 this year,but not without the requisite period of preparation. Bargain hunters across the country took advantage of les affaires de la rentrée (back-to school sales) to stock up on supplies and clothing for the upcoming year. In anticipation of the sales, the Ministry ofNational Education publishes a list of essentials for back-to-school success.During the frenzied shopping period,on average, sixth graders in France spend approximately 175 euros (about 225 dollars) on supplies, according to the National Federation of French families, Familles en France, while a student of the same age in the United States spends about 600 dollars on clothing, school supplies, and

electronics, according to the National Retail Federation.

To alleviate the financial burden on low-income families, the Ministry of Education offers a stipend called the allocation de rentrée scolaire to over five million school-aged children from families in need. The figure is annually adjusted to accommodate expected costs, and this year eligible families can receive between 280 and 306 euros — depending on their child's age — to provide for school supplies, clothing and other back-to-school necessities.

La rentrée politique : Back to Business

The major political parties in France hold summer conferences to align their agendas and goals for Parliament over the course of the year, but la rentrée politique commences with the first assembly of the Council of Ministers. The Council, comprising President Sarkozy, Prime Minister François Fillon and each of the ministers, convened on August 25 to discuss key issues of social and economic strategy to be addressed by Parliament. The Council is the structure that organizes the work of the executive branch. Members of the Assemblée Nationale went back to session on September 7 to debate new legislation, which, this year, revolved around issues of retirement, immigration, and security. Minister of Labor Eric

Woerth headed the project for retirement reform, as Minister of Immigration Eric Besson presented a proposal "concerning i m m i g r a t i o n , i n t e g r a t i o n , a n d nationality." Consideration of the state budget for the next calendar year, one of the most arduous tasks, will occur in October.

La rentrée also took on an international d imens ion , as the 18 th Annua l Conference of Ambassadors on August 25 at the Elysée palace. President Sarkozy articulated France's foreign policy goals, security and defence objectives, and ambitions to pursue regulation in financial markets and commodity prices. The French president also voiced his country's continued dedication to reducing global warming and its enduring commitment to combating terrorism, stressing in particular support for efforts in Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and the Maghreb. Additionally, President Sarkozy underscored France's priorities for the G8 and G20 as it assumes the presidency of these organisations next November and January, respectively.

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S O C I E T Y

Bonj(o)u(r)! 3

New York, September 2010More Aid, More Innovation

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World Leaders Convene to Tackle Global PovertyThe UN Summit on the Millennium Development Goals concluded with the adoption of a global action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty goals by their 2015 target date and the a nnouncemen t o f ma jo r new commitments for women's and children's health and other initiatives against poverty, hunger and disease

G L O B A L P O L I T I C S

F A S H I O N

4! Bonj(o)u(r)

Fashion has become a joke. The designers have forgotten that there are women inside the dresses. Most women dress for men and want to be admired. But they must also be able to move, to get into a car without bursting their seams! Clothes must have a natural shape.Coco Chanel!(1883-1971)

A Backstage Pass to the Divas' Dressing Room The elaborate dress worn by soprano Kiri Te Kawana is one of many costumes on display this fall at the Centre National du Costume de scène. The word "diva" takes its root from the Latin word for goddess, a suitable description of the sublime stage presence of the women who have merited this title. French actress Sarah Bernhardt was one of the first international divas, captivating millions at the turn of the century with her "golden voice" and expressive acting.Yet an integral part of the magic of "Divine Sarah," as she was known, also lay in the sumptuous garments that adorned her on stage. Vestiaire des Divas (Divas' Dressing Room), a new exhibit at the Centre National du costume de scène, pays homage to immortal stars and modern performers such as Bernhardt by showcasing their elaborate wardrobes.

The exhibition has assembled costumes from the 19th century to today, donated by the Bibliothèque Nationale de la France, the Comédie-Française, and the Opéra National de Paris, among others. Luxurious silks, delicately detailed satin shoes, and coquettish fans in timeless hues trace the careers of prima

donnas Bernhardt, Maria Callas, Edith Piaf, and others. Contemporary American opera singer Renée Fleming is also represented with clothing designed for her by Christian Lacroix for La Traviata at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

The Centre, located in Moulins in central France, is the first of its kind to showcase "material theatrical heritage," underscoring the historic relationship between the actors and the décor. The exhibit runs through December 31, but the museum, open daily, gives visitors a peek behind the curtains at another 9,000 costumes.

A R T

Bonj(o)u(r)! 5

Celebrating French Heritage

French natives and celebrated and learned about France's rich culture and history during the Journées du Patrimoine (Days of Heritage) over the weekend of September 18.The annual celebration encompasses a series of cultural events, including special exhibitions, unveiling ceremonies, and discounted or free admission to most cultural heritage sites throughout France and its overseas territories. The theme of this year's edition was "Great Personalities:

When Men and Women Build History." In addition to honouring significant individuals in the history of France, French Minister of Culture and Communication Frédéric Mitterrand described the importance of "valu[ing] those who give their time and enthusiasm to preserve the traces

of history." In addition to the special openings of various monasteries, chateaux, and historical residences, every département, from Alsace to Guadeloupe, boasted events ranging from concerts and audiovisual exhibits, to city walking tours. This year marks the 27th Journées du Patrimoine.

What started as an event unique to France in 1984 has since expanded to 48 other European countries that celebrate the participants' respective cultures. The event has been formally institutionalised as the European Heritage Day Minister Mitterrand expressed the importance of taking a day to celebrate French heritage, hoping that doing so will unite the past and future of France by allowing citizens to "better inhabit these places of recollection that we bring alive in the present and bestow in turn to future generations."

An Explosive Tale of Travel

Narratives of travel have long been popular in France, from the carnets de voyage of 17th-century explorers, to accounts of modern-day travellers. Historically, the genre has sought to represent a foreign culture while conveying the unique perspective of the traveller himself, but has expanded as contemporary globetrotters explore the genre's classic interpretations in diverse forms of media. Chinese artist Cai Guo- Qiang is at the forefront of a contemporary view on voyages, showcased in the new exhibition through January 2011 at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice.Cai Guo-Qiang, renowned for his role as the artistic director of the fireworks extravaganza at the 2008 Olympic Games opening ceremony, manifests his burning interest in pyrotechnics t h r o u g h h i s m e t h o d . " T r a ve l s i n t h e Mediterranean," the headlining piece, uses his signature gunpowder drawing technique to document the experience of a Chinese student with whom he travelled to the French Riviera. The technique includes the distribution of fuses and powder on canvas before strategically burning them to create the final product. For the artist, process is as important as product; each gunpowder work is accompanied by photos and videos of sparks and smoke as the forms emerge on paper.Another of the exhibit's pieces, "Reflection — A Gift from Iwaki," is a 50-foot-long wooden boat filled with broken porcelain, reconstructed at each exhibition by Japanese fishermen who first excavated the boat in 1994. With the mammoth wooden structure and the gunpowder drawings, the artist is not narrating the story of a journey finished, but inviting viewers to come along.

La rentrée culturelle: Back to ProgrammingThe attention to the latest autumn fashion and food trends in magazines and newspapers proves that no area of French life can escape the sweeping spirit of la rentrée, especially in the med ia and t he a r t s . I n addition to coverage of la r e n t r é e i n p r i n t media,television and radio stations change lineups, appoint new show hosts and unveil new programming.

One particular anticipated contribution this season is the period drama, Maison Close, set in Paris circa 1870. It is the first period series for its producer Canal +, a well known network for coverage of film and sports.

Many theatres also offer reduced ticket prices to encourage attendance among students and adults alike. Already in theatres is Xavier Beauvois's drama Des hommes et des dieux (Of Gods and Men) which won the Jury Prize at Cannes.Children's films are also an important fixture of this time, including the new film, Arthur et la guerre des deux mondes (Arthur and the War of Two Worlds) from director Luc Besson, famous for the Transporter series,which will begin showing October 13.

This period marks the new release of books, and between September and October, more than 700 novels will have been published; about 40 more than arrived on the literary scene in 2009.This year's rentrée littéraire features a number of high-profile returning novelists, including Michel Houellebecq and Philippe Claudel. Amélie Nothomb, who usually releases one book each year, also made her much-discussed contribution to la rentrée with Une forme de vie, which describes her correspondence with a soldier in Iraq.

Another author, Goncourt-prize winner Laurent Gaudé, tackled American issues in his new novel, Ouragan, about

post-Katrina New Orleans. New releases will vie for selection as this year's winner of the Prix Goncourt. A prestigious literary honour, the Prix is given in November by the Académie Goncourt to the author of that year's "best work of imagination in prose." The Académie has met at the Drouant restaurant in Paris since 1914 for the final deliberation, where it is decided which author receives the prize, and the accompanying celebrity status.

A R T S

6 ! Bonj(o)u(r)

Oscars’ Academy to honour French greatOn November 13, the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present renowned French filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard with an honorary award — a classic Oscar statuette — in recognition of his outstanding career in cinema. A key figure in the French New Wave movement, Godard began his career writing about cinema before taking the plunge into making his own short films. His influential first feature, "Breathless" (1960), impressed audiences and filmmakers alike with its jazzy take on the American crime film. For 50 years, Godard has continued to write and direct challenging, sometimes controversial films that have established his reputation as one of the seminal modernists in the history of cinema. His portfolio of over 70 features includes "Contempt," "Alphaville," "Weekend" and "King Lear." Godard is also credited with having influenced numerous contemporary directors, including Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.

Ex-L.A. District Attorney shoots women in Paris The ex-Los Angeles District Attorney, Gil Garcetti whose office prosecuted the highly-publicised O.J Simpson double-murder trial is a photographer at heart, know to be carrying a camera everyday to his office. His new bilingual book about Parisian women on bicycles is a tribute to the elegant Parisian dame who cycles to work or around Paris. Inspired by a gorgeous woman who passed by him one day, Garcetti spent almost three years researching and photographing before compiling the photos into a book, titled Paris, Women and Bicycles. The color images are a striking change for photographer Garcetti, who normally shoots in black and white. The work documents a diversity of women and settings, from the quotidian - a trip to the market - to the extraordinary - a view of the Eiffel Tower. The project's cohesion comes not only from its two-wheeled subject, but from an exploration of the organic relationship between citizens and transportation fostered by the demands of urban life. Mayor of Paris Bertrand Delanoë summarises the sentiment of the project in the book's preface, saying, "These days, bicycles are as much a part of the image of Paris as the Eiffel Tower."

Guitar Hero

Flashing lights and fog machines create a rock and roll ambiance on stage as the amplified voice of the master of ceremonies announces the next act. The enormous crowd goes wild, dancing and screaming, but strains of a legendary rock song drown out their roar.Yet there is no band on stage. A single performer,tearing off his cape, crown and necklace (which he tosses to his screaming fans), struts onto stage, left clad in nothing but gold spandex pants and square glasses. Moonwalking, hip-thrusting, and wildly gesticulating, he captivates the audience, strumming an imaginary guitar. Welcome to the 15th annual Air Guitar World Championship, where Frenchman Sylvain "Günther Love" Quimene defends his title! This year's championship took place on August 21 in Oulu, Finland. 23 air guitarists competed in the first round, performing a song of their choice, and the top ten moved on to the second "compulsory" round,where they rocked to the legendary "Foxy Lady" by Jimi Hendrix. Despite tough competition from many nations, France dominated the contest this year,sweeping first and

second place. Reigning champion Quimene brought home the gold for a second year in a row. Fellow French native Soraya "Eva Gina Runner" Garlenq took second place. The competition brought together air guitarists and fans from around the world. According to tradition, the competition ended with all contestants taking the stage and encouraging everyone, audience members and all those watching from their homes, to strum along to Neil Young's "Rocking in the Free World," an act of unity among the air guitar community

Champagne : The glass is greener

The Comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne (CIVC) announced earlier this year a new endeavour to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of the Champagne industry. By adopting a thinner Champagne bottle, the CIVC predicts a reduction of 8,000 metric tons in carbon emissions, the equivalent of taking 4,000 small cars off of the road.The move is part of a greater initiative of the CIVC to reduce its carbon footprint 75 percent by 2050.According to Bruno Delhorbe, director of the St. Gobain plant, the small reduction in glass use has cut manufacturing emissions by seven percent, not including the reduction in necessary delivery trucks,as 2,400 more of the lighter bottles can now fit into each truck. The New York Times noted that the changes to the classic Champagne bottle are almost impossible to notice: only the shoulder and the indented base have been shaved of excess glass, reducing the weight of the bottle. However, such small modifications could yield tremendous ecological benefits by reducing the amount of delivery vehicles needed to distribute the product. Last year, 290 million bottles of Champagne

were shipped worldwide. Since the 1600s, Champagne has required a bottle thicker than any other carbonated wine because of the extremely high pressure of its contents — three times greater than that of the average car tire. Many wineries have already adopted the carefully engineered new bottle, 65 grams lighter than the standard 900-gram bottle that has become a hallmark of the beverage. A few producers adopted the new bottle as early as 2003, 2/7"8)/09&'*0" 82/"':;'84" 45'" D.*''/D" ;28G2.%/."(*)&" ;*)798'*0" 6%G'"K)`4" a"O52/7)/"2/7"b'9<'"O6%C9)4"042*4%/."%/"RSTcJ

P O T P O U R R I

Bonj(o)u(r)! 8

FRENCH PRESENCE IN MALTA !

If you thought Alexander Ball got rid of all the French, you haven’t yet met the 700 odd French people who have adopted Malta as their country of long-term residence !!! Stéphanie Ceccato is one of them...

!

!" «I used to visit the island for work related activity and got to know the charms of the place when suddenly out of the blue I got a unique work opportunity. I was

asked by Professor Edward De Bono of international reknown to work for him and it is one of those offers made on a silver platter that one could simply not refuse», she says with a great smile that betrays the fact her initial enthusiasm is still intact. !" «Birgu is a unique place with an historical past and a patrimoine that is of international value. I’m proud to callBirgu my home especially when the people of the town pamper me so much. There are not so many placesin this world where you get this unique combination ofhistory, opportunities, simpler formalities, sea, friendliness, etc.», she adds.

The Chevalier Paul

French naval history and maritime art are intimately linked to the Mediterranean.

Great French seamen often plied the routes from or to Malta. Another

reason why so many French naval ships

often make it a point to call in

Malta even to this day

Knight Paul who served the order so

valiantly that Grandmaster Lascaris made him Commander is one of those fearless Frenchmen who are regarded even today as beacons for the French navy.

Today the Chevalier Paul is a Horizon-

class French Navy's frigate. She was launched on July 12, 2006. Her homeport is Toulon. Displacement: 5,600 tons; Length: 152.9 meters; Speed: 29 knots; Crew : 174. Armament: Exocet MM40 Block 3 antiship missile launcher; Aster 15 SAM launcher; 2 x 78-mm gun mounts Otobreda; MU90 torpedo tubes; 2 x 20-mm gun mounts F2. The shipcarries a NH90 multipurpose helicopter.

Her arrival in Valletta this month as a

testimony of the strong links that the French naval forces have with Malta.

BACK FROM THE PAST ...

M A L T A & F R A N C E

INTO THE PRESENT ...

S T E P H A N I E C E C C A T O

MARKETING DIRECTORA r r i v e d i nA p r i l 2 0 0 3F R O MTOULOUSE L I V E S I NBIRGU

Bonj(o)u(r)! 8

A N ° 1 H I T A T S T O R E S

When chic and nourriture bio meet, it’s time

for good health and big business !

A stroll through the aisles of one of

France's supermarkets might turn up

more "green" than expected, as special

sections of leafy greens and plump

apples invite shoppers to go bio. The

French term for organic, bio has

become the catchword for one of the

most dynamic markets in Europe.

Fueled by the increased environmental,

health, and safety concerns of French

citizens since the turn of the century,

the organic trend has blossomed into a

3.3 billon-dollar industry that proved a

strong resilience in the face of the

worldwide recession. From 1999 to

2005, the organic market grew annually

at around 10 percent, with a 25 percent

increase from 2007 to 2008, according

to Agence Bio, the public interest group

charged with the organisation and

promotion of organic products in

France. Sales of organic cheese, eggs,

and milk, products emblematic of

French culture, have doubled since

2005.As Elisabeth Mercier, head of

Agence Bio, stated this year, "The

movement is taking off." Mercier

describes the trend as a "virtuous cycle,"

fed by the participation of shoppers,

farmers, and businesses. One in four

French people now regularly buys

organic products, and 86 percent hope

to see the development of the organic

market. Consumer demand has

encouraged organic products in

supermarkets, now responsible for 82

percent of organic sales. Distributors

such as Carrefour are

endeavouring to

finance more

organic farms on

top of the

nearly 6,000

producers

already

established.

Santé et Bien-être

SA

NT

E

B

IE

N-

ET

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T E C H , S C I E N C E & E N V I R O N M E N T

Google Maps Out Investment Plans in France Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in early September to discuss the company's plans for increased investment and cultural engagement within France. Schmidt announced the

creation of a Google research and development center in France, which will attract the world's best engineers to the country and should contribute to the momentum of innovation in France's digital economy. He also expressed Google's wish to invest in French universities and fund computer science research programs in political science, law, journalism, and other areas related to the issues the Internet raises for society. These plans bring international recog- nition that testifies to the high caliber of French engineering and technological education. Additionally, Google plans to create a European Institute for Culture in Paris, where all Google's projects to do with the world of culture in Europe will be centralized. President Sarkozy welcomed Google's initiatives, which promise to complement France's leadership in technological achievements.

Twinkle Twinkle Little StarOnce a year, French stargazers indulge their inner astronomer during La Nuit des étoiles. Stargazers across France came out in droves to

participate in the 20th annual Nuit des étoiles, held in early August. L a N u i t d e s é t o i l e s ( T h e Night of Stars) is a n e v e n t organised by the A s s o c i a t i o n

française d'astronomie (AFA) that gives the public the opportunity to attend free presentations and guided celestial observations at over 400 different sites throughout France. The observat ions are led by both m e m b e r s o f t h e A F A , a n d experienced stargazers from some of France's many regional astronomy clubs.

La Nuit des étoiles aims to familiarise individuals with the wonders of astronomical observation, and allow them to better know their local astronomy clubs and associations. Discussion at the event sites varied widely, presenters taking questions on a range of topics from astrophysics to the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The guided celestial observationswere the highlight of the event, which was held on three consecutive evenings. When darkness fel l , participants were able to observe m a n y c e l e s t i a l b o d i e s a n d phenomena including the planets Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn, as well as several nebulae and the well known Andromeda Galaxy. Finally, the regular passage of the Perseids meteor shower — observable as "shooting stars" through the night sky — offered the perfect accent on an evening already filled with celestial wonder. Although weather across the country was mostly clear for the event, presentations included videos, multimedia, and other exhibitions in the event of temporary cloud cover.

S P O R T S & L E I S U R E

! ! Bonj(o)u(r)! 9

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. Secretary Novelli noted that for continued growth in the tourism sector, France will need to upgrade its current hospitality infrastructure. In the spirit of improvement, he announced that changes in France's hotel ratings system will take effect in October. France will expand its current four-star rating system, conforming to the globally recognized five-star rating system. Figures related to the arrival of French tourists in Malta have seen a marked increase this year +12.7% over 2009, a year in which 72,000 tourists visited the islands. French tourists are reported to be one of the big spenders here.

Secretary of State for Tourism, Hervé Novelli reported the end of the recession in the French tourism sector this August, announcing that visits to touristic sites in France over the summer were up five percent from last year's official government figures. The figures concerning tourism in France were positive across the board. While domestic tourism rose three percent, a significant increase in Chinese and Russian tourists helped account for a 10 percent overall rise in the number of foreign tourists to France. In June and July, guest stays in French hotels also rose 3.6 percent compared with last year's figures.

A G E N D A

10! Bonj(o)u(r)

A selection of events that will form the rentrée culture!e in Malta, «Automne Français»For more information please visit www.ambafrance-mt.org

15 October 17hrs: Conference on board Chevalier Paul, the latest French Horizon class destroyer

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Bonj(o)u(r)

Editor-in-Chief

Tudor Alexis

Editorial team and

contributors

Dana Pucarescu,

Thomas Rottcher,

Earmon O’Connor, Eleanor Warnock, Mary

Kate Holman, Victoria Jones, Stephanie Joyal,

Joseph Kessler, Aleksa

Miskinis

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22 October at the MFA Conference by Dr. Alberto Ganado, renowned specialist on franco-maltese relations

1st December Guy Peellaert’s «Rock Dreams» exhibition opens at St James Cavalier

10 December Christmas organ recital by virtuosos Pierre Méa and John Aquilina at St. John’s Co-Cathedral

9 November 18hrs: Former Finance minister Hervé Gaymard lectures on the impact of the digital world on books

19 October 18hrs : World famous architect, designer and town planner, Jean-Michel Wilmotte in town

25 November

Lecture by Charles Dantzig, writer

2 DecemberMichka Assayas, the journalist and writer whose interview-book of Bono made waves comes to town