Celebrating what ?

[laficion]

Every year at the same time in July, my village celebrates, …….well…… hum…..The Village !!!.

4 days of almost living together ,with cultural events, singing in the streets, eating togther, drinking together,getting to know each other as if you’ve never met before, I mean, come on!!! What’s there to celebrate ? First, let me paint a picture of this small town and then maybe we’ll see things clearer, OK ?

My village is located in the very south of France and I mean right,in the middle .It’s in a valley with other villages and they are all part of what we call “ La Vaunage “, the Valley of Nage, the population is about 4.500 noisy latin souls,well, they have been very noisy the last 2 days and there’s still 2 more days to go , So, Anyway, the town is basically agricultural and has been that way for the last 900 years or so, still quite young for French standards.

OK, that’s done, but why celebrate ? I mean, we all know who is who, we all see each other everyday, we talk about the latest town news, like, who got married, who died,

who’s born to who,also,who is now living alone, who amongst us has brought, this elderly person, the daily grocery and checked if every thing is well, who is working but also who is in search of a job, well, for a job, we will direct this person to the local cafés where there will certainly be someone who is needing someone to do some work for. Yeah, OK, but that still doesen’t explain why the celebration!!!! I mean, what gives ?

This village gets togther every year, they share all the events, all the cultural manifestations,

They organize a big dinner for all the old people of the village, right in the middle of the town square.

For 4 full days, they dance, they have lots of bulls running around the town to celebrate the beast. lots of food, wines, laughter, joy, (lots of cigars being smoked ) but I guess that’s because I’m there, LOL and if that’s not n nuff, bands play all night until 4 in the morning,

shesssch !!!!!

Well, why not ? In this world of speed and High-Tech,communication through Internet,

Fast transports, individualism, I still have to understand WHY they all celebrate these things

for 4 days? I mean, it’s not like if all this was something special,

Right ?

Photo by, Gerard VERHOEST, Jean Philippe Courtin

Photo by, Gerard Verhoest, Jean Philippe Courtin

OK, I give up thinking about all this, I'll just sit here with my drink and smoke my H.Upmann.

CIAO

Photo, Calvisson City Hall

[dicko]

Looks like a fantastic cultural event there!! Thanks for sharing Guy

[maalouly]

This is amazing, just makes me want to be there, thank you for sharing such an amazing event with us!

[Ken Gargett]

terrific fun and great idea. hope you keep it going.

[Wicky]

Count this blessing!

[Jesuscookies]

You're a lucky man guy! That looks like a real community.

In LA you'll get shot trying to get that close to your neighbor

[Habanakane21]

Wow...this sounds amazing. It's great that a group of people can come together and celebrate life. I wish we all could be so lucky to be apart of something like this. Thanks so much for sharing...and have some fun will ya!!

[Habanakane21]

You're a lucky man guy! That looks like a real community.

In LA you'll get shot trying to get that close to your neighbor

I hear that!!!

[SethLG]

Sounds great, I hope it contines for years to come.

[jsd]

Very cool. Looks like a great time.

[LeafLover]

Guy, looks like a fantastic community to live in. You are a lucky man.'

The holidays must be simply magical in your village.

[mazolaman]

C'est le joie de vivre!(I think)!

[Davin]

Ahhhh, Life as its meant to be. Enjoy

[El Presidente]

Beautiful Guy!

As you know my father comes from the town of Cintruenego just outside of Pamplona. Cobble stone streets, old peoples home in the twon square, bands Friday and Saturday nights during summer in the town square, Town church just turned 900 years of age. Agricultural town which has its weeklong fiesta in July each year.

Sounds familiar?!LOL! I love the place. Thank you for the reminder

[Stalebread]

Terrific !

Thanks for the thread.

[cigarros]

What the bloody hell!! I wish to be there! Thanks a lot for awesome picks and great review!

[thechenman]

Guy...Thanks for sharing this celebration with us. You truly do live in a remarkable place. A community in the true sense of the word. Never seen anything like it here in the states...

[samb]

That looks like a great event. Ive always dreamed of living in the small town.