Laurel Zuckerman's Paris Weblog

PARIS: 2014 Young Authors Fiction Festival: submissions close April 1

Young writers! Last chance to submit your texts to the 2014 Young Authors Fiction Festival

The Fiction Festival is free of charge and open to all students ages 5 to 18 in the greater Paris area who write in English. If you are a young author interested in submitting a story, check out the YAFF  helpful documents:

"Jobs where are you?" sing mean French puppets

The Guignols of Canal + went for the jugular this week, showing no mercy to unpopular French president François Hollande after the catastrophic first round of municipal elections.

Peter Erickson, fine art photographer, finalist Grand Prix de la Découverte

 

photo by Peter Erickson

The International Fine Art Photography Award, held in Paris, celebrates fine art photography and discovers outstanding new talent. On the occasion of the 2013 Grand Prix de la Découverte Awards, we were able to meet some of these remarkable photographers.  They came from every corner of the world, each with his or her own unique path to photography as an art form.

One of the fascinating photographers we met was Peter Erickson  of Australia, a finalist in the CityScape/Architecture category for "Bird for a Cage". 

Anya von Bremzen, on the Art of Soviet Cooking #books

interview by Meg Bortin

Anya von Bremzen

Anya von Bremzen is best known as a food and travel writer – and one could be forgiven for thinking that this, too, is a culinary work. But one would be wrong. The title, with its wink at Julia Child, obscures the fact that von Bremzen, who was born in Moscow, has written one of the most original and provocative histories of the USSR to come out in recent years – a plunge into the past of that vast and enigmatic land as seen through the prism of food.

Joan DeJean on How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City

Joan DeJean, author of How Paris Became Paris

Why is Paris so beautiful? Such a lovely and romantic walking city? Those of us lucky enough to live here know that beyond the romantic tourist dream there is a reality, and that is one of an exquisitely - and very carefully - planned city. Baron Haussmann traditionally receives all the credit, but in fact crucial decisions were made centuries earlier.  Joan DeJean delves into the fascinating tale of the creation of Paris in her acclaimed new book, How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City. 

 Jean DeJean on How Paris Became Paris

a Paris Writers News Interview

 ___

Laurel Zuckerman: How did you become a writer? Where did you learn your craft? 

 

Joan DeJean: I’m an academic, so I’ve always done research with the goal of publishing it.  You’re never really trained in either research or writing, so the outcome can be a bit hit or miss.  Many academics don’t really enjoy this part of the job, but I always have.  I feel that teaching and research/writing work beautifully together.  I rarely teach the subjects I am working on for my book projects (though I did offer a course on Paris in the 17^th century on several occasions), but somehow ideas filter back and forth. 

My best ‘training’ as a writer came from colleagues and friends who were generous enough to take the time to tear my writing apart, as well as from a few great copyeditors (a disappearing art!) who were able to explain clearly why it was that they objected to certain things about my writing and to make a case for doing things differently.

What is the biggest challenge for you in writing non-fiction?

I write a particular kind of non-fiction.  I’m trying to tell stories that have been neglected and that I feel deserve to be known.  These stories fall into two distinct categories. 

First, there were unknown sides of famous figures.  In How Paris Became Paris, for example, I wanted to right the record concerning Louis XIV.  He is always described as the monarch who privileged Versailles over Paris and thus neglected the French capital.  However, for over two decades before the court moved to Versailles, Louis XIV was a Parisian ruler.  Contemporaries described him walking the streets of his capital, trying to gauge first-hand both what needed to be done and the impact of public works already in place.  Twenty years is a long time for a king, and particularly for someone as energetic and decisive as Louis XIV.  In those two decades, the Sun King managed to transform Paris – and to redefine the very notion of a city.

               Then, there were stories of a very different kind – the stories of obscure individuals who accomplished extraordinary things: for instance, the architects who invented the concept of a boulevard, or the real-estate speculator who almost single-handedly developed the major part of what are today the first, second, sixth, and seventh arrondissements of Paris.  In cases such as these, I feel a very real responsibility to help their stories come alive by finding the kind of detail that might stick in a reader’s mind.  That may be the biggest challenge in writing my brand of non-fiction.

 

How Paris Became Paris is extremely detailed. How did you research? What sources impressed you most or were most authoritative and evocative?

Years of research (5? 6?) went into How Paris Became Paris.  I worked most often in Paris’ Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris (the BHVP) and in various departments of the Musée Carnavalet and in other libraries in Paris as well.  So many sources proved essential that it’s hard to single out any particular kind of document.  In the long run, perhaps the most important documents were the many, many edicts published to dictate urban policy in Paris – everything from the correct dimensions for a street to the fines imposed on owners of carriages who allowed their horses to nibble the leaves of newly planted trees.  This kind of official bureaucratic document is on the surface extremely dry.  They are nonetheless full of telling details and are often the authoritative source for information on daily life in 17^th-century Paris.  I spent many days reading through boxes of these decrees, unknotting strings around them that often had not been untied in decades – if not longer.  One day when I was walking home from the library, I ran into an acquaintance.  My hands were so dirty that I couldn’t offer to shake his hand!  That day, I was bothered by the dirt, but normally when I returned home, I actually enjoyed the process of washing it off.  To research a book like How Paris Became Paris properly, you have to sift through piles and piles of 17^th-century material of various kinds.  The residue on my hands at the end of a day of research was truly the dust of history.

 

What was the most surprising thing you discovered?

No doubt about it: the decision made in 1669 to tear down the fortifications that had surrounded Paris for centuries and to replace them with an immense and beautiful walkway and thoroughfare.  This became the original boulevard and the model for all the grand parkways so important to many 19^th-century cities all over the world.  In How Paris Became Paris, I use 17^th-century maps to retrace the building of the first boulevard.

 

Why did other cities NOT become Paris? (Or did they, only to be destroyed?)

 That’s a complicated question and one I address in many sections of the book.  The only possible short answer is this: timing, luck, enlightened leadership.  London, for example, would almost certainly have begun to reinvent itself sooner had it not been held back in the 1660s first by the Plague and then by the Great Fire.

 

I read How Paris Became Paris while in Scottsdale, AZ, a town that is (I think) making terrible development mistakes. I found myself wishing that every member of the city council could receive a copy of your book. What wisdom might be found in how Paris became Paris for modern day city planners and developers?

 All the decisions crucial to the modernization of Paris in the 17^th century were made with the city’s inhabitants in mind – both to improve conditions for the business community and to enhance the daily lives of all Parisians.  This is what made the redesign of the city so successful and such a model for cities to come.  On many occasions in How Paris Became Paris, I quote both Henri IV and Louis XIV to show the reasoning and the care that inspired their urban planning.

 

You have written many books about France, mostly in social or cultural history. What fascinates you about France? 

I grew up in a French family, in a largely French-speaking community in Louisiana.  My French heritage was all around me.  This explains why I chose to become a specialist of 17^th- and 18^th-century France.  Those are the centuries that were the foundation for the world in which I grew up.

 

Have you ever been tempted to exploit your deep knowledge of Paris in another genre, like a murder mystery?

 I can’t imagine ever writing fiction.  I can’t do dialogue, for a start!  Besides, I enjoy most the many ways in which history never ceases to amaze me.  I couldn’t invent better stories!

 

What books are on your night table now?

 Russell Banks’ Continental Drift, Rex Stout’s The Red Box, a huge P.G. Wodehouse anthology.

 

What books about Paris are your personal favorites?

 I learned most from Jean-Pierre Babelon’s many publications on Parisian architecture, from Hilary Ballon’s pioneering work on Henri IV’s Paris, from Maurice Dumolin’s topographical studies of the city, and last but certainly not least, from Pierre Lavedan’s illuminating studies of Parisian urban planning.

 

What are you working on?

 I’m working on a family history, that of a family of Parisian craftsmen in the late 17^th and the early 18^th centuries.  It’s so complicated that I can’t yet describe it well.  Only two things are absolutely clear.  1. all the research involves archival material –  handwriting from the period.  Much of that is so difficult to transcribe that the work will be much harder and slower than the research I have done for my most recent books.  2. I’m already so attached to some family members that, despite the difficulty of the work, nothing could make me give up on this project.  I feel morally obligated to tell this story.

 

 _____

Joan DeJean is Trustee Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of ten books on French literature, history, and material culture, including most recently How Paris Became Paris: The Invention of the Modern City,  The Age of Comfort: When Paris Discovered Casual and the Modern Home Began and The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafés, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour. She lives in Philadelphia and, when in Paris, on the street where the number 4 bus began service on July 5, 1662.

 

http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/how-paris-became-paris-9781608195916

 

Praise for How Paris Became Paris

"Dejean obviously knows and loves Paris, and she provides coherent history that effectively explains the evolution of a city built by a few prescient men." *--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)*

Although 19th-century Baron Haussmann often receives credit for Paris's iconic features, this witty and engaging work shows that it was the 17th-century Bourbon monarchs who first transformed Paris into the prototype of the modern city that would inspire the world... With panache and examples from primary sources, guidebooks, maps, and paintings, she illustrates how Paris changed people's conception of a city's potential." *--Publishers Weekly*

 

Terrific literary events in Paris this March!

This month, news from Cara Black, Joan DeJean, Anya von Bremzen,  Patricia Wells, Neil Gordon, Heather Hartley, Dave Eggers, Lynn Hoggatt, Naomi Wood, Jethro Turner, Elizabeth Dearnley, Geoffrey Gilbert, Andrew Davidson  Amity Gaige, Mo Willems, Lise Faulise, Mireille Guiliano, Margo Berdeshevsky, Zoë Skoulding, Sian Melangell Dafydd, Fred Benhaim, Kate Noakes, Gwenn Le Métayer,  Stephanie Schwerter, Jennifer K. Dick, Jean-René Ladmiral, Yen-Maï Tran-Gervat Peter Wortzman, Linda Pastan, Jeffrey Greene, Sarah Towle, Gwyneth Hughes, the Young Authors Fiction Festival, Word for Word, Rough Magic Theatre Company,and the Belleville Literary Social. Update ongoing… 

 

 Exciting new books!

Watch for  Cara Black, Joan DeJean, Patricia Wells, Anya von Bremzen, Kristin Espinasse, Diane Johnson, Jennifer K Dick, Stephanie Schwerter and more! Details and author interviews coming...

 

 

Selected Literary Events:

Recurrent events  Open Mic poetry Mondays and Thursdays and Weekly drop in Writing Workshop on Saturdays!

 

  Tuesday 4 March 19h30 Kathryn Watt, chief curator from the National Museum of Women in the Arts, explores the principles that shape recent art by women of African descent, notably Sonya Clark, Ellen Gallagher, Loïs Mailou Jones, Faith Ringgold, Amy Sherald, Mickalene Thomas, and Kara Walker.  @ American Library in Paris

Wednesday 5 March 19h30 Amity Gaige will discuss her latest novel Schroder, written in the first person, about a divorced father who abducts his own daughter. @ American Library in Paris

 

6 MARCH: BOOK SIGNING WITH DAVE EGGERS 7 pm @Shakespeare and Co

Vendredi 7 et samedi 8 mars à 19h30 Rough Magic Theatre Company presents Jezebel  A clever comedy about the inane consequences of hot sex meeting cold statistics. “One of the most enjoyable night’s theatre I've had all year… not in recent memory has there been so perfect a comedy on the Irish stage.” (***** Entertainment.ie) 7€ (5€ pour étudiants et demandeurs d'emploi)  Réservation nécessaire  In English - env. 80 mn @ Irish Cultural Center


Saturday 8 March 15h00-16h00 (ages 5+) A Reading with Mo Willems Join popular American author and illustrator Mo Willems for a reading of some of his fantastic books for children. This event will be held at the American Cathedral parish hall. Free for Library members, please bring library cards to show at the door.  No sign-up necessary! Parents welcome! Note: Mo Willems will not be signing books at this event, but will do so at an evening event for adults on 18 March at the Library.

 

  MOVING  PARTS presents a reading of two one-act plays by Gwyneth Hughes:  BACK OF BEYOND (Indeed you do have everything most women dream of. You’re the queen of your domain. Rich, lovely, and married to a famous man. Your life is like a fairy tale...) and  IN LESS THAN NO TIME (I never heard you called Fay. It must be a name you used as a kid when playing a game. Okay with me if you want to change it, but don’t get confused on our wedding day.) with SONIA BACKERS, CLARA KUNDIN, CARLINE LEMIRE, JEREMY COFFMAN, DAMIAN CORCORAN, JEAN-CHRISTOPHE LUCCHESI @ Carr's Pub & Restaurant,  1 rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris Metro : Tuileries

 

 

10 MARCH: ANDREW HUSSEY ON THE FRENCH INTIFADA 7 pm @Shakespeare and Co 

MONDAY: 10 March: IVY Writers Paris happening in salon home apartment style at 19h30: Chez Grace, 46 rue Abesses, 75018,  3rd floor (with readings and MUSIC by Fred Benhaim, Kate Noakes and Gwenn Le Métayer)  See official info at: http:ivywritersparis.blogspot.fr

Tuesday 11 March, 19h30 Deciphering the building blocks to handwriting success
In collaboration with S.P.R.I.N.T., Lise Faulise explores techniques and tips for handwriting readiness.   @ American Library in Paris

Tues., March 11, 6:30 p.m.  Writing & The Paris Persona: Neil Gordon, Elizabeth Dearnley, and Geoffrey Gilbert *Hosted by AUP’s Writer in Residence, Andrew Davidson  C-12 Combes Bldg, 6 rue du Colonel Combes 75007 @AUP

Tuesday 11 March  from 8 pm  Belleville Literary Social! Join us at Flaq (36 rue Quincampoix) for cocktails, Italian wine, Brooklyn beers and readings by new writers including Lynn Hoggatt, Jethro Turner and Elizabeth Dearnley Where: Flaq, 36 rue Quincampoix Paris 75004 http://www.flaq.fr/  Metro: Chatelet, Rambuteau.  Free and open

 

AND TUESDAY 11 March at 19h at Le Comptoir des presses : 86, rue Claude Bernard, Paris 75005 for  the publication of Traduire: transmettre ou trahir? Réflexions sur la traduction en sciences humaines. Jennifer K Dick and Stephanie Schwerter, editors in French with an evening of round table debate on translation : La traduction, langue(s) du monde Entretien avec Stephanie Schwerter, Jennifer K. Dick et Jean-René Ladmiral animé par Yen-Maï Tran-Gervat  For more see INVITATION SOIREE LANCEMENT TRANSMETTRE OU TRAHIR 

 

 March 12th from 5-9 pm  AAWE Showplace Open to the Public and features artists, artisans and writers in a musical ambiance. Jazz singer Lisa Lindsley will be performing with Sheldon Forrest on piano. Showplace is an art exhibition, a marketplace, a meet-up, a cocktail and a great place to learn more about AAWE. So please join us! Entrance 5€  More info or [email protected]  at the American Church in Paris, 64 quai d'Orsay, 75007 Paris.

 

 

 

Thursday, March 13, 2014 Meet Mireille Guiliano bestselling author of FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FAT as she presents and signs her new book FRENCH WOMEN DON'T GET FACELIFTS a tWHSmith Paris on Thursday 13th March. Signing 6-7pm. Presentation 7-8pm @WH smith Pl reserve on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/519884341452278/

 

17 MARCH: A CELEBRATION OF CHARLES BUKOWSKI  7 pm @Shakespeare and Co


Tuesday 18 March  19h30  Mo Willems uncovers the process behind his illustrations and writing for his award-winning children's books. @ American Library in Paris

Thurs., March 20, 6:30 p.m.  An Evening with Poets Margo Berdeshevsky & Zoë Skoulding Hosted by AUP’s visiting writer Sian Melangell Dafydd C-12 Combes Bldg, 6 rue du Colonel Combes 75007 Special note: Zoë Skoulding’s most recent collection, The Museum of Disappearing Sounds, has been shortlisted for The Poetry Society’s Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry. @AUP

 20 MARCH: BARD-EN-SEINE READING: THE TEMPEST  6 pm @Shakespeare and Co

If you’d like to take part, please email Milly Unwin at[email protected], and tell her whether you’d prefer a larger or a smaller role. Parts will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis, and we’ll let you know a week in advance of the reading whether you have a role. No preparation necessary, and we’ll provide the scripts. Please note that, due to space restrictions, the Bard-en-Seine Readings will only be open to those taking part.

 

21 MARCH: THE FAG ASH MONOLOGUES (WITH PAT CASH) 7 pm @Shakespeare and Co

Saturday 22 March Join Sarah Towle, co-director of YAFF, for the final writing workshop for writers ages 8-14 and get tips on how to edit and prepare your story for submission. Space is limited and reservations can be made to Celeste Rhoads at [email protected].

 

 

Don't miss the Salon du Livre Porte de Versailles March 21 -24!

23 MARCH: HANIF KUREISHI ON THE LAST WORD  7 pm @Shakespeare and Co

Mon., March 24, 6:30 p.m. Peter Wortzman, Translation Workshop ARC, 147 rue de Grenelle, 75007 @AUP

 

Thurs., March 27, 7:00 p.m. Mirror Visions Ensemble Leaves of the Butterfly Tree: Musical setting of poems by Linda Pastan & Jeffrey Greene Grand Salon, 31 Av. Bosquet, 75007 @AUP

 

27 and 28 March Word for Word returns to the American Library in Paris for the 19th year to present In Friendship by Zona Gale, a century-old comedy of American small-town mores and manners. Don’t miss the two performances in Paris on 27 and 28 March, which take place at the Theatre Adyar. A suggested donation of 20€ (10€ for students) at the door helps us sustain this creative partnership. An informal reception with cast and crew of In Friendship follows the 28 March performance at the Library. To reserve, send an email to: [email protected]

 

Sunday 30^th March 7.15 for 7.30 MOVING PARTS featuresa  reading  of a screenplay by Corneliu Mitrache ALIEN  HANGOVER  - When a race of reptilians, descendants from the dinosaurs, threatens to wipe out humanity, three misfits from outer space come to the rescue as the stars of a Hollywood franchise — after abducting the actors during the premiere of their latest sequel...with JEREMY COFFMAN,  RONALD  CROOKS,  BILL DUNN, DOUGLAS  ENGLISH,  MORGAN  LAMORTE,  COLUM  MORGAN, STEPHANIE  CAMPION,  TANYA GALLAGHER,  PHILIPPINE DE SAINT-EXUPERY  on Sunday, 30th March 2014 at 7.30 pm Carr's Pub & Restaurant 1 rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris Metro : Tuileries

                                              

March 31 7 PM Naomi Wood on Mrs Hemingway @ Shakespeare and Co 

March 31 – April 5, 2014 You are cordially invited to an exhibition featuring Lilya Pavlovic-Dear, Meredith Mullins, Nadine Coleman, and  Kent Ravenscroft! Reception: March 31st from 6-9 pm  Accompanied by live Jazz music Galerie Etienne de Causans  25 rue de Seine 75006 Paris Open from 11 am to 1 pm and from 2:30 pm to 7 pm except Sundays and Monday mornings