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La Foire Africaine – Part VI – Behind the Scenes

June 14th, 2016

Following the opening ceremony on Friday evening, master of ceremonies Daffirma Ibamu escorted dignitaries around the exhibition hall to meet the exhibitors.

Appolinaire Timpiga Compaoré - Daffirma Ibamu

Appolinaire Timpiga Compaoré and Daffirma Ibamu with Bookseller
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

In the photograph above, Madame Ibamu holds the microphone while a bookseller talks about his books with Appolinaire Timpiga Compaoré, the major sponsor of the faire.

While I was walking around the exhibition hall on Sunday, I ran into Fofo Forey Fumey, a photojournalist whom I met at a recent photo exhibition. Fofo guided me to a press conference that was taking place in a private area where journalist Mica Manquat was interviewing dignitaries.

Ginette Côte d'Ivoire and Mariana-Guinea

Ginette from Côte d’Ivoire and Mariana from Guinea
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Two young women (pictured above) acting as hostesses greeted me in the press room. Then, I turned my attention to the conference that was taking place.

Mica Manquat Interviews Dignitaries at the African Fair
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

In the photograph above, Mica (wearing earphones) poses some questions for Appolinaire Timpiga Compaoré (in the center, to the right of the poster).

Marie-Michaël (Mica) Manquat, Journalist
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

As well as her work as a journalist, Mica publishes a blog (in French) about Creole culture in Paris.

I didn’t stay for the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, but as I was leaving I stepped into the hall and was greeted by the lovely sight of four women who had won honors at a recent Miss Afro-Ethnic France pageant.

Miss Afro-Ethnic France 2016
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Acetou Camara of the Soninké community (on the right) is the winner of the title Miss Afro-Ethnic France.

Thanks to Astou Arnould, public relations specialist, who helped me identify many of the people whom I photographed!

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La Foire Africaine – Part V – Fashion and Accessories

June 11th, 2016

Abdel Nasser Diallo – Noor Art
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I stopped at a stand that was selling pendant earrings from Ghana and Kenya. On display was beautiful jewelry made from banana leaves (Ghana), and coconut shells and zébu horns (Kenya).

Pendant Earrings by Noor Art
Top: Earrings made from banana leaves
Bottom: Earrings made from coconut shells
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Abdel Nasser Diallo from Guinea told me that he makes the rounds of exhibitions to sell his products. Later, I learned that he also exhibits at pop-up stores. His products can be viewed on-line at the following link: https://www.instagram.com/noorart.gh/.

And I met Samiratou Tabé at another stand. Before launching a career as a fashion designer, Samiratou, who hails from Benin, studied economics and political science at the University of Montreal.

Samiratou Tabé – Ô’dam
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Samiratou’s apparel can be viewed here: https://www.instagram.com/yourodam/. I learned that the name of her company, Ô’dam, means “pretty” in the Fodo language, a dialect in the north of Benin.

Axelle from the Ivory Coast
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Axelle, pictured above, was modeling one of Samiratou’s creations.

Next…behind-the-scene photos of the fair.

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An African Fair in Paris – Part IV – Vendors and Exhibitors

June 8th, 2016

Albassane Ag Agaly of Mali
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Hand-crafted Jewelry
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The first stand I visited exhibited hand-crafted jewelry by Albassane Ag Agaly, a member of the Touareg ethnic group in Mali. He received a certificate of recognition for his jewelry from UNESCO in 2000.

Esther – Central African Republic
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Bags and Hats
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Next, I came upon Esther, from the Central African Republic. She was selling a number of items: hats made in Madagascar from raffia; bags made from raffia by prisoners in Cameroon; shirts from the Central African Republic. Esther was selling these items to raise money and awareness for the non-governmental organization Femmes en Danger, “whose objective is to fight against the impunity of perpetrators of violence against women in times of peace as well as in times of war in Africa in general and in Central Africa.” (My translation.)

Necklace Made from Bamboo Fruit
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Esther with Doll
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I returned to Esther’s stand on Sunday afternoon, and she showed me more hand-crafted products that had not been on display on Friday. In the photographs above, she shows a necklace made from the fruit of bamboo, which is called “pierres végétales” (vegetable rocks) and a doll, both made in the Central African Republic.

Next…more vendors and exhibitors.

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An African Fair in Paris – Part III – Food and Beverage

June 7th, 2016

Chez Maman Alice – The Dining Area
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I arrived at the exhibition hall around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 27 and decided that I should get lunch before walking around to look at the exhibits. I saw that the food stand called Chez Maman Alice had a nice area for sit-down dining, so I decided to try the food there.

One of the women invited me to take a table, so I entered the dining area and made myself comfortable. I ordered two beef kabobs, three beef samosas, a serving of rice, and a green salad. I also ordered a Heineken beer, which was served in a 67cl size can. It was a delicious meal, and the price came to only 11€.

Maman Alice and Her Staff
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I took a photo of Maman Alice and her staff. From left to right are Marie, Adele, Maman Alice, Frida, Maroua, and Youdi. All but Maroua hail from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Maroua is Moroccan.

With a full belly, I was ready to explore the exhibition.

D’Jackson Suriam and Christophe Luijer — So’Kanaa
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Christophe Luijer’s Cane-juice Extraction Machine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I came upon D’Jackson Suriam from Martinique and Christophe Luijer from Holland, where they were selling fresh-pressed juice from the sugar cane. Christophe told me that he invented the machine that crushes a stick of sugar cane to extract its sweet juice. I tried a cup and found it to be wonderfully refreshing. Christophe calls his company So’Kanna.

D’Jackson Suriam with Océana Magazine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

D’Jackson is Christope’s partner at So’Kanna. He is also editor and director of a new international culture and lifestyle magazine called Océana.

Next…vendors and exhibitors at the fair.

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An African Fair in Paris – Part II – The Fashion Show

June 5th, 2016

Following the music and dancing, six models exhibited the ready-to-wear clothing of Martinican fashion designer Mireille Barclais.

Cressylia Dubousquet - Miss Multicolor France 2016

Cressylia Dubousquet
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net2016

Cressylia, who hails from Martinique, was elected Première Dauphine at the Miss Multicolor France pageant this year. Read more about her (in French) here.

Balbina D’almeida
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Balbina, who hails from Togo, was elected Miss Togo France Europe in 2015. Read more about her here.

Dialel Ba
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Dialel hails from Senegal. She was finalist in the Miss Senegal France pageant for 2016.

Koudia Mbaye
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Koudia hails from Senegal.

Cressylia’s Children
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Cressylia and Her Children
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Cressylia’s daughter and son took the stage to model children’s wear.

Khoudia Presents Mireille Barclais
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

At the end of the fashion show, Mireille Barclais came on stage to acknowledge the audience’s appreciation of her beautiful clothes.

Next…food and beverage at the fair.

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An African Fair in Paris – Part I – The Opening Ceremony

June 2nd, 2016

The 5th annual African Fair was held last weekend at Les Esselières, an exhibition hall in the Paris suburb of Villejuif. Organized by the Chambre de Commerce Africaine de Paris and sponsored in large part by Appolinaire Timpiga Compaoré, a businessman from Burkina Faso, the fair featured food, music, dance, and exhibits by artisans, non-profit associations, fashion designers, public relations specialists, telecommunications, cosmetics, and more…

Four Officers of the African Chamber of Commerce of Paris
From left to right: Maximilien Bouteillier – General Secretary, Boubacar Sabaly – Public Relations, Michel Réchal – Technical Manager, Marc Yao – President
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Daffirma Ibamu presided as master of ceremonies.

Daffirma Ibamu – Master of Ceremonies
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

At the opening ceremony, a number of dignitaries took the stage to express their aspirations for African economic development.

Lasana Kouyaté – Former Prime Minister of Guinea
Siaka Koné – Commercial and Marketing Director of Télécel Faso
Mamadou Sangaré – Minister Counsellor of the Ambassador of Burkina Faso
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

And then the fun began!

Academie Woyo
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The Academie Woyo, representing the Woyo people from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, performed drums and dance. A video of their practice session held at Parc de la Villette in Paris can be viewed here.

Dancing…

Woyo Drumming and Dancing
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

and singing…

Mélodie Rémy and Celia Soulmusic
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Celia Soulmusic’s Facebook page can be viewed here.

Next…a fashion show.

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A Tribute to Jo Privat

April 6th, 2016

Balajo
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I was recently honored to receive an invitation from author and journalist Claude Dubois to attend a concert at Balajo, a dance hall on rue de Lappe.

Muriel Privat (on left with microphone), Jo Privat, Junior (on right with accordion)
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

The concert was held in honor of Jo Privat (1919 – 1996), who played the accordion there for some fifty years. When I arrived, Jo Privat, Junior (the son of Jo Privat) and his wife Muriel were on stage with other musicians performing waltz musette to an appreciative audience of mostly old folks, who were turning on the dance floor.

Claude Dubois Talks about Jo Privat
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

During the intermission, Mr. Dubois took the stage to recount his memories of Jo Privat, whom he was acquainted with, when, as a young man, he frequented Balajo. Mr. Dubois has written a number of books about the colorful history of the places on rue de Lappe, including a 640 page tome entitled La Bastoch (Paris, Tempus Perrin, 2011).

Antoine and Daniela
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

A number of people were there dressed in clothes that evoked the fashions of the 1930s, including a dapper young couple who posed for a photograph.

Gaston, Claire, and Dominique
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

I liked the scarf that Gaston was wearing, so I asked him to pose with his friends.

Claude Dubois et Raoul D’Aubervilliers
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Mr. Dubois posed with a friend Raoul D’Aubervilliers.

A sample of the music of Jo Privat can be heard on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRLvLcYKHyQ.

Claude Dubois’ book on the life of Jo Privat is available on Amazon.fr at the following link: http://amzn.to/1Sb4w6i.

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James A. Emanuel Poetry Night at the American Library in Paris

April 5th, 2016

On Tuesday evening, March 29, the American Library in Paris hosted a tribute to James A. Emanuel. Born in 1921 and raised in the small town of Alliance, Nebraska, Emanuel went on to become professor of African-American poetry at the City College of New York. In 1984, following the death of his son, he moved to Paris. He died there in 2013.

The American Library’s biography of the poet states:
“James A. Emanuel was one of America’s greatest poets and academic scholars. Often overlooked, Emanuel’s fame did not equal the enormous output of his work. He published 400 poems and 13 volumes of poetry, including The Force and the Reckoning, an autobiography. He was a well-respected teacher who influenced an entire generation of students and poets.”

The evening program included readings of Emanuel’s poetry by author Jake Lamar; actress and director Ariane Crochet; professor Marcus Bruce; writer, editor, and entrepreneur Monique Y. Wells; editor and translator Wendy Johnson; and spoken-word artist Mike Ladd. Saxophonist Chansse Evans and drummer Chris Henderson provided musical accompaniment to Lamar’s reading of several of Emanuel’s jazz haikus. Following the reading, retired teacher, engraver, and photographer Godelieve Simons and retired teacher Annick Bossuet gave personal testimonials about Emanuel.

Clockwise from left: Jake Lamar, Marcus Bruce, Monique Y. Wells, Mike Ladd, Ariane Crochet, Wendy Johnson
Photographs by www.DiscoverParis.net

Chansse Evans and Chris Henderson
Photographs by www.DiscoverParis.net

Godelieve Simons and Annick Bossuet
Photographs by www.DiscoverParis.net

Reading Poetry to Jazz
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Attendees at Tribute to James A. Emanuel
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

An online tribute to James A. Emanuel can be found here: http://blogcritics.org/no-more-ghettos-on-the-death-of-james-a-emanuel-poet/

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Les Vinissimes de Nicolas

March 31st, 2016

On Thursday, March 24, the wine purveyor Nicolas held its first exclusive wine tasting – Les Vinissimes – at the Maison des Polytechniciens at the Hôtel de Pouprey in Paris’ 7th arrondissement.

Nicolas organized two parallel wine tastings. The first, called Salons des Grands Vins, was for tasting prestigious wines, and the second, called Salon des Vins de Légende, was for tasting legendary (even more prestigious) wines. Accompanied by Diana Shu, caviste (wine merchant) at the Mouffetard branch of Nicolas, we visited several tables at the Salon des Grands Vins.

Pouring Wine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Though we concentrated on red wines, we first tasted a white Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Folatières by Louis Jadot. We savored this Burgundy wine and appreciated its mineral character. But because my partner had a distinct memory of a Gevrey Chambertin that she had appreciated at a dinner that took place the night before the tasting, we moved on in the hope of finding the wine maker that had produced this particular wine.

It just so happened that the very next table that we visited was manned by the maker of the wine that she had enjoyed the previous evening. Remoissenet Père et Fils, from the Burgundy region, was offering the 2011 edition of its wine, which, we were advised, could benefit from at least a couple of additional years of aging. My partner declared that the 2008 wine that she had tasted the night before was quite different, but she enjoyed the 2011 wine as well.

We went on to taste a Meursault by Joseph Faiveley in Burgundy and several Bordeaux wines—in particular several from the AOCs (controlled designations of origin) of Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Emilion, and Margaux.

Pouring Wine
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

Our favorite was a 2009 Château Durfort Vivens, 2ème Cru Classé by Lucien Lurton & Fils.

After all this, we ventured over to the Bruno Paillard champagne table and were chagrined to discover that they had run out of samples. We then sought out a sweet wine to end our tasting experience and were gratified to find an exceptional Sauternes by Château Suduiraut.

Château Suduiraut
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

We enjoyed this immensely, particularly because it was our last sampling for the day.

Monique Y. Wells and Tom Reeves
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

We extend thanks to our gracious hostess, Diana Shu, for having accompanied us on this extraordinary wine adventure!

Diana Shu and Monique Y. Wells
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net

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African Americans in the City of Light – The Film

February 26th, 2016

The last conference to be held around the themes evoked by the Beauford Delaney exhibition in Paris took place last night. Entitled “African Americans in the City of Light,” the conference opened with the screening of a documentary film of the same name.

Produced by Joanne and David Burke of Blue Lion Films, this one-hour video features the story of African-American artists, writers, entertainers, and musicians who lived in Paris from the period following World War I to the Nazi occupation of France in 1940. Some of the persons featured are:

Josephine Baker
Langston Hughes
Palmer Hayden
Eugene Bullard
Loïs Mailou Jones

After the screening, the associate producer, Julia Browne of Walking the Spirit Tours, answered questions from the audience and facilitated lively discussion.

The film is scheduled to be released in the Fall of 2016. For further information and to place an order, contact info@africanamericansinparis.com.

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Paris Insights - The Blog

La Foire Africaine – Part VI – Behind the Scenes

La Foire Africaine – Part V – Fashion and Accessories

An African Fair in Paris – Part IV – Vendors and Exhibitors

An African Fair in Paris – Part III – Food and Beverage

An African Fair in Paris – Part II – The Fashion Show

An African Fair in Paris – Part I – The Opening Ceremony

A Tribute to Jo Privat

James A. Emanuel Poetry Night at the American Library in Paris

Les Vinissimes de Nicolas

African Americans in the City of Light – The Film

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