FRENCH WORD-A-DAY

I love the photo you took of the giant "bunch" of grapes being carried through town! Jean Marc's speech was well delivered!

Thanks, Jeanne. I forgot to mention that those grapes were distributed to all of the townspeople who were present. One by one, the bunches of grapes were unhooked from the "grappe" mass, then placed into wicker baskets and distributed (thanks to a handfull of 8, 9, & 10-year-old volunteers who quietly circulated around the town center during the speeches).

Thanks for this and your additional details, here's my translations for Jean-Marc's reading to English:
This 31st day of August 2008 We proclaim on the public place of Holy Cecile the Vines so that no one be unaware of the decision of the Committee of the Vine growers about the next grape harvest. The Masters Vine growers of Cairanne, Lagarde Paréol and Sainte Cecile Vines indicated by the Committee, having noted the state of maturity of the grape in the various pieces of their communes, announced their observation, estimating that the beginning of harvesting can take place on September 1, 2008. The Grand Master of Commander's Residence and the authorities of the profession having been advised, the Masters of the wine storehouse of our cellars having given their agreement, we solicit of Lord Max Ivan, First Magistrate of our commune; it requests him to issue a decree fixing at September 1, 2008 the first day of the harvest of the grape intended for the production of our wines. In addition, we ask solemnly all those which have to be able thus;
with the Vine growers here present to respect and make respect the uses establish by our Fathers so that the quality of our wines is good and better if possible than that of the former years. Lastly, we wish whole heartily to all the Vine growers, a generous grape harvest.

My good friend shared your blog with me and now I am a loyal subscriber! It is WONDERFUL! I am married to a Parisian and we live in Los Angeles, but come often to be with family in France.
My positive emotions got the best of me when watching my 8 year old son, Christophe come up to bat with all the bases loaded, 2 runs behind. He too was trembling in the legs on home base when on his 3rd swing managed to hit a home-run bringing his team to victory. He was so overcome that he cried with joy and relief since batting was not his strength. Of course, I also wept watching him with such pride.

Great speech Jean-Marc! The celebration was like something I always imagined happening in France. To see it on video was a delight.

Thank you so much Kristin for this epic report, for the colourful images and the video. We're all very proud of Jean-Marc. What an honour (for both of you!)...

It is really wonderful for us to be able to see and hear the jolly and colourful atmosphere in St Cécile-Les-Vignes.

Must go and have another look at the photos... and watch once again the video.
I love the look and the sound of the "mobile" carillon!

Que les vendanges 2008 soient bonnes!

Mile de mercis encore. You seem to have mastered so many ways to send words, pictures, an videos!!!

How can I switch from receiving your thrice weekly messages via regular e-mail directly to the colorful blog?--I guess it means recording that mile long address!

Did JM create his speech solely "from scratch" or is it a formality with yearly update?

As your grapes approach ripeness my blackberries have said "That's all you're going to get". They were scrumptious. Fred

WOW WOW WOW FELICITATIONS!!!

Oh, how wonderful! What an honor for Jean-Marc, one which he rose to magnificently. The whole idea of the procession and proclamation (and the partying hearty) is just great. Your photos and videos made me feel almost as if I were there. I'm not sure if I liked the dancers in costume or the group of male singers more. As someone else mentioned, the carillon was also nifty keen.

This is so much better than the way people seem to be celebrating Labor Day around here, which seems to be by shopping at Walmart. sigh

Wonderful!! I loved watching the videos, and like everyone else said, Jean-Marc did a fabulous job! What a festive occasion and tradition--we just don't have the same rituals around here, and like meggins noted, most are celebrating by shopping at Walmart. Big sigh along with her.

Oh thank you so much for the videos. I felt like I was there with you. Hearing Jean-Marc give the proclamation...oh my heart be still I feel like it's my family!! It, also, kind of reminds me a bit of the chestnut festival in Olarge, which we chanced upon a couple years ago. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.

Kristin - thanks again for letting us all live vicariously through you! you do such a wonderful job of describing the activities that take place and the atmosphere, that one feels like the are right there with you and your family as you celebrate these awesome accomplishments! Merci Mille fois!! And, please extend my compliments to JM for his marvelous delivery of his speech!! Congratulatios to you both! =)
LeNora

Merci, Kristin,
I have just returned from France to the US as of Tuesday this week and am getting caught up on email as well as accumulated mail, etc. here. Just watched a major speech on tv for the RNC and then came and watched Jean-Marc's speech. Oh, I so much prefer the French way and the personal touch of the community festival.
I know that politics is strange everywhere--I am now a French 'citoyen' and 'voted' in the last presidential election there (an absentee ballot cast by my neighbor after a visit to the police station). But the contrast was so poignant between the artificial, manufactured atmosphere of a major American political convention (of either party)and the local community-shared festival, that I just had to comment. And you have no idea how many mistakes in typing I had to correct after 3 months using the French keyboard!)
Un grand merci for tout votre efforts.
Jeane