Jean Reinhardt, better known as Django Reinhardt, was a guitarist whose style of playing and composition gave birth to a style of jazz called gypsy jazz. Continue reading
Category Archives: Arts & Culture
Sant Jordi Day in Barcelona
In Barcelona we celebrate April 23rd, Sant Jordi (Saint George) , as a "lovers day". Sant Jordi day is the most romantic day of the year. Continue reading
The Guitar in Bossa Nova and Tropicalism
ossa nova, new wave or new trend, a combination of samba and jazz, is played almost exclusively with a classical nylon-string guitar, accompanied by one or two singers. Continue reading
‘Le Corbeau et le Renard’, a fable from La Fontaine
Classics of French literature, the Fables de La Fontaine continue to work their magic on the imagination of both adults and children, for the power of their imagery, the relevance of their content, and the excellence of the language. Continue reading
Girls’ Day (Hinamatsuri) in Japan
On March 3rd, Hinamatsuri (雛祭り) is celebrated in Japan. This is a day when families with little girls wish "health and happiness" for them. Hina refers to the kind of dolls traditionally put on display for the celebration. Matsuri means "festival" in Japanese. Putting them together, Hinamatsuri means something like, "Hina-doll Day". However, Hinamatsuri is commonly referred to as "Girls' Day" in English. Continue reading
Using Movies to Help Learn a New Language
You may not have seen Amour, but you probably know that it won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. If you’re planning on watching it because it’s apparently a very good film, AND because you happen to be learning French, here is some advice that will help you enjoy the film and get a little French mileage out of it, too. Naturally this applies to any language you happen to be learning and any film in that language that you’d like to see! Continue reading
Fairy Tales from the Middle East and Asia
Today is Fairy Tale Day. We've asked our etutors to tell you about fairy tales in their cultures. Continue reading
European Fairy Tales
Today is Fairy Tale Day. We've asked our etutors to tell you about fairy tales in their cultures. Continue reading
Fashion Week de Paris - February 26 - March 6
La Fashion Week de Paris (also called Semaine de la mode à Paris) is a series of famous weeks of défilés de mode (fashion show; lit. fashion parades). Held semi-annually in Paris since 1973 for both haute couture and prêt-à-porter, … Continue reading
French Speaking Films at the Oscars 2013
Amour (Love) is a 2012 French-language drama which has been making a sensation around the world, both among the critics and the public. Directed by Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke, the story set in Paris follows a couple who are retired music teachers in their eighties. While Illness, suffering, and death are themes in the film that can be difficult to watch, it is superbly balanced with a sense of magic and the beauty of life. Continue reading
