I started this post thinking I’d just share a few pictures of my friend’s Jurina’s 40th birthday that we celebrated this past July 14th weekend. I then thought of what Jurina means to me as a friend and as a positive influence in my life and ended up associating her beautiful free spirit to the revolution and its symbols. Have you ever heard of Marianne for instance?
While Uncle Sam represents the American government, Marianne is the symbol of france as our homeland or mother land. It is the symbol of France itself and its motto since the revolution: Liberté, égalité, fraternité which means Freedom, equality, fraternity. The name Marianne was used for a number of reasons:
- Marie and Anne were the two most common names for girls in the French countryside of the 18th century. The common peasants were at the origin of the revolutionary movement and the largest cast in France.
- A song was published just days after the Bastille was taken. It was very popular and was called The Healing of Marianne
- In the play “l’Avare” written by Molière (the French version of Shakespeare) more than a century before the revolution, one of the main characters was called Marianne. She represented freedom of choice against tradition and oppression
So Marianne became the symbol of freedom and of the new France the people had fought for. Until the Euro became our currency, we used “Francs”. Marianne was on every coin. She still is on very stamp we use. Take that Elizabeth Windsor :0) Just kidding, you know how much I love the queen. I wish we had one to be honest. Any half blood aristocrat would be better than this buffoon we call our president… (When I say our President, I mean THEIR president. Heaven knows I didn’t vote for that fill in the blank)
So here is to freedom and life and people who keep fighting for them. Here is to the glorious Jurina and the light she shines upon us all. Here is to loud fireworks and food and wine and joie de vivre…
Note:The toreador is Jame, Jurina’s boyfriend. You guys already know Ségolene and the fat guy holding her in his arms ;0)
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
you take such amazing photos! they tell such a great story.
Is it Bastille Day? Happy Bastille Day! The French Revolution was a far more complicated affair than we learn about in school, or from Charles Dickens.
Love it as always!!
Lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
In your photos, you throw such a loving look at the people you care about (I suppose you do ;-))….it´s really touching. Looks like an amazing party & feast you have had on Monday! What a great way to spend your most important holiday!
Magnifiques photos mon ami !
Tu es trop gentille! Je vais à Bordeaux en milieu de semaine prochaine pour faire quelques courses. Je te texterai pour voir si tu es dispo pour un sandwich. Bises!!
What a lovely birthday gift – looks like a wonderful party
Happy Birthday to your dear friend. I am celebrating on the other side of the world. That’s what so amazing about our blogging community! 🙂
Glorious! This whole post and what it represents…and a few darn good photos too!!
Jurina looks like she has a fun loving spirit! Seems you had a great time celebrating. I love the colored hanging jars! They’re so pretty!
I adore your photo’s Stephane, they speak, they jump out at you and are alive. Interesting about Marianne, I didn’t know that and now I do. Lovely post, lovely friend, great history lesson and always entertaining,
Yet again Stephane you have outdone yourself. Not only are the pictures a true reflection of the atmosphere that evening, but your words about me have made me cry yet again. With time, we realise that it is only the simple things in life that matter and have a true impact on us, and you are the one that always manages to capture it both on camera and in words. What more could I have asked for than to be surrounded by my dearest friends and family, to share good food and wine, see the children running around and enjoying games in the cops and hearing their laughter! As I have said to you before, THANK YOU and I love you dearly, you always know how to make us feel so special. It is such a privilege to have you in my life!
Lovely, lovely post, Stephane! Happy birthday, Jurina!
Thank you very much! Yes Stephane is a true magician with his camera and words!
Looks like a marvelous fête!!
Lovely post and perfect sentiments Stéphane! I’m with you on all of it – especially our dear friend Monsieur le Président!! Raise a glass to better days ahead – hopefully!
You really have the best friends!!! Great post!
Goodness me, what a party! And such a lovely post for your friend. 🙂