france

Notre-Dame: The Lifelong Mission of Itaru Sekiguchi

At the age of 10, Itaru Sekiguchi experienced a shock that would change the course of his life. "A deafening sound," he recalls. He first heard it while standing in front of the great organ of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. This pivotal moment sparked an uncontrollable passion for music and the "king of instruments," a love that, forty years ...

France Mulling New Sanctions on Israeli Settlers, Minister Says in West Bank

France is mulling new sanctions on those enabling the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, regarded as illegal under international law, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on a visit to the territory on Thursday. "France has been a driving force to establish the first sanction regime at the European level targeting ...

Notre-Dame: Contemporary Stained Glass and a New Reliquary for the Relics

Nearly four years after the devastating fire that ravaged Notre-Dame de Paris on April 15, 2019, the restoration project is in full swing. Two significant events mark this pivotal week: the hearing of the finalist artists for the design of the new contemporary stained glass and the presentation of the new reliquary intended to hold the Holy Crown ...

Diplomatic Incident in French-Owned Jerusalem Compound

Israeli police entered the French-owned Eleona church compound in Jerusalem, on Thursday, briefly detaining two gendarmes and prompting French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to abandon a scheduled visit, an AFP journalist reported. "I will not enter the Eleona Domain today, because Israeli security forces entered with weapons, without ...

Goncourt 2024 Awarded to Franco-Algerian Kamel Daoud

The Prix Goncourt, the most prestigious of French literary awards, was awarded on Monday to Franco-Algerian novelist Kamel Daoud for his novel Houris (Gallimard Editions), a fictional portrayal of the massacres of Algeria’s "Black Decade" (1992-2002). He was chosen by the jury in the first round, receiving six votes, compared to ...

Lebanon Receives First Shipment of French Humanitarian Aid

Lebanon received its first shipment of humanitarian aid from France on Friday as part of the assistance pledged during the international conference to support Lebanon held in Paris on October 24. This aid is intended for displaced people who were forced to flee their homes due to the raging conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. French ...

'Échos du Cèdre,' an Event in Paris Dedicated to Lebanon

In the face of this terrible war that once again threatens the former land of honey and incense, the Lebanese diaspora in France turns to its ancestor, the cedar tree, to draw inspiration from its endurance amid the storms. The title of the event organized by the Zahlé-France club is meant to be taken literally: Échos du ...

Marie-Antoinette’s Historic Bracelet Presented in New York

Worn by Marie-Antoinette, the famous Queen of France, the bracelet from the world’s oldest jeweler is now exhibited in New York, symbolizing their ambition to expand their presence in this international luxury hub, despite a slowing global market. This unique piece, composed of seven antique cameos mounted on a bracelet adorned with floral ...

Tribute to François Truffaut: Fragments of a Troubled Life

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of François Truffaut's passing, French television is paying a heartfelt tribute to this iconic figure of the New Wave by airing his classics, such as The 400 Blows, alongside a new, poignant documentary. Titled François Truffaut, The Script of My Life, the film premiered in May at the 77th Cannes Film ...

“Monsieur Aznavour”: The Rise of a Legend

A singer. A voice. A legend. Charles Aznavour, with his distinctive stature and unique timbre, left an indelible mark on French song during his lifetime and well beyond his death. His words and melodies have cradled entire generations for decades, touching millions of hearts. The film Monsieur Aznavour, set to release on Wednesday, October 23, in ...

Costa-Gavras: A Meditative Journey into Mortality

At 91, the Franco-Greek filmmaker Costa-Gavras confronts the concept of death with the calmness of an experienced director, all while preparing a new political film. During the Lumière festival in Lyon, he presented his latest feature, Le Dernier Souffle (“The Last Breath”), set for release in January 2025. Adapted from a work by Régis ...