Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the last Monday in May and a Federal Holiday. At 3 PM wherever we are we should pause one minute and remember the soldiers who died.

I will think about the politicians who work for peace and that they persevere! And I think about the soldiers who came back alive but maimed (see the link).

The 3-day Memorial day weekend has become the beginning of Summer with trips to the beach and family gatherings and picnics. It should not interfere with some reflective moments.

And at the same time to hope for a peaceful future.

Photo opportunities

Graduation is such a happy event that pictures have to preserve these special days for the graduate and the families.

The achievement of a doctorate degree is often a family effort of several years!

I wonder if the architect of the Widener Library constructed the wide steps to give the ideal place for group photos.

And here they all are on the steps, the newly hatched Class of 2012.

Before the 361st Commencement

Flags with Harvard University's motto VE RI TAS are prominently hung over the entrance to the Widener Library. The official festivities for reunions of former Classes have started today and on Thursday, May 26 is Commencement day for the Class of 2012. Thousands of students will receive their diploma and thousands of parents and friends and alumni will attend.

Each of these unfolded chairs in the Tercentenary theater (the area between the Widener Library and the Memorial Church) in Harvard Yard will be taken. They are not very comfortable but that has no importance.

Already on Sunday, three students in their Harvard gowns formed a happy trio of pride, achievement and optimism.

Graduation time

End of May is the time for graduation and commencement celebrations for all the universities. There are more then 100 Universities and Colleges in the greater Boston area with more then 250.000 students. This evening at Boston College, the Class of 2012 was invited to a festive celebration to further cement the memories of four years together. Champagne for everybody and the glasses could be kept as souvenirs.

Now, everybody learned reading and counting ....... but perhaps there were some refills which then confused the counting.

Weekend in Burgundy

We drove to Macon in the southern part of Burgundy. The region is known for its excellent wines and food specialities. Not only snails and frog legs but 'Beef bourguignon'. The villages are picturesque with roofs patterned by glazed colored tiles.

We visited the vineyards where the Chardonnay grapes grow to become later Pouilly-Fuisse. Nice to see them well tended and full of new leaves.

These large fields are under the Rock of Solutre in the Maconnais area.

On the top, can you see the silhouettes of some hikers on the edge? Our French friend told us that President Francois Mitterrand used to climbed this peak with his close friends once each year. Will Francois Hollande have the time for that?

Site specific art (2)

Last week Francois Hollande visited this "work in situ" to demonstrate his interest in the arts. Since May 6 we know that he will be the "president in situ" for the next five years and we hope for him and the people of France and Europe that there will be time over for the arts.

At our visit today we were charmed by this space and then the play of light and colors - a dreamy wonderland.

It is planned that weekly some other artists (musicians, dancers) will give performances inspired by this installation. Every day are 'cultural educators' available open for discussions and ready to give information if asked. Several visits are recommended and we plan to return: alone or in company.

Site specific art (1)

Daniel Buren - installed these columns 1986 in a court of the Palais Royal in Paris when he got a public commission for this site. The installation "Les Deux Plateaux" has always received both critique and admiration during the years. Somehow adults and children like to interact and use this space, running around, jumping up and down or just resting on the columns.

The black and white vertical bands, used in the industrial fabric for awnings, has become Daniel Buren's 'trade mark'. His name is not too known by the general public but that is changing right now. "Tout Paris" is talking about him.

He is the artist who was chosen by Monumenta 2012 to execute the installation for the nave of the Grand Palais and until June 21 it will be possible to visit and experience it.

A strong or a changed France?

Nicolas Sarkozy says: "A strong France"; Francois Hollande says: "The change is now"----

In two days France will know who won the election. Nobody knows what impact it will have for both France and Europe.

If the values of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, which the children learn in this kindergarden, are respected and kept as leading goals then the French society will both change and will get stronger.

Labor Day in France

First of May is Labor Day in Europe. On this day, everybody can sell Lily of the Valleys for good luck without paying sales tax later.

The stands are close to the bakeries and the customers after buying bread and pastries can not resist to buy a small bouquet. The Scouts and the Red Cross use it as a good fund raiser and are preferred by most customers.

They go in the woods to collect the flowers and then have to go up early (the scouts told me they were up since 4 AM) to make the small bouquets ready for sale.

With this dedication one is happy to give money first for a good cause and then give the flowers to friends for good luck. Then go home with a good feeling and eat the pastries.