French Connections

Bonjour and félicitations!
Summer is behind us as we finally head into the month we’ve all been waiting for – September. It’s funny because when I was a kid in France, I always dreaded this month. This is because in France, school, university and the work year start in September, rather than April like in Japan. So September meant that it was time to exchange my beach sandals and shirt for leather shoes and heavy school bags. But living in Japan, September has become my favorite month. It means no more sweating every day, cooler evenings, and nights without air con… just paradise. So in the spirit of ‘70s band Earth Wind and Fire’s smash hit ‘September’ (Ba de ya/say do you remember/Ba de ya/ dancing in September/Ba de ya/never was a cloudy day) let’s boogie at some French events this month.

OSAKA: See the six-part tapestry celebrated as one of the greatest masterpieces of Medieval European art during its first visit to Japan. The Lady and the Unicorn from the Musee de Cluny at the National Museum of Art, Osaka, until 20 October.

KYOTO: Polish your French and have fun with an afternoon of French games at Institut français du Japon in Kyoto, 14 September, 4:30pm-6pm.

France Kansai is meeting in Umeda and Kyoto. Check link for the exact date and place (facebook.com/francekansai)

If you prefer to stay at home, don’t forget to check your new episode of the French and Japanese web drama PARIS ALEAS on www.parisaleas.com