PARIS – While the world was engrossed with the Paris Olympics
impoverished children at a local Paris nonprofit were some of the Games’ happiest winners
which has been graced by former Olympian Roger Federer
is breaking down walls to provide services to neighboring communities
The word “mur” in French translates to “wall.” The “wall” is what the nonprofit wants to help kids conquer
homelessness or lack of commodities or toys
The word “faite” is a word meaning “to do” or “get done.”
because the word used in the title is “fête,” not “faite.” The word “fête” means “to celebrate.”
So “fête le mur” means to both break down the wall and celebrate overcoming it
And thanks to money received from the Ile-de-France government
Fête le Mur is helping youth celebrate sports and culture while breaking down barriers
helped found Fête le Mur in 1996 and the nonprofit epicenter of sports and culture for underserved youth has spread across France and its overseas territories
The organization has proliferated to 80 cities
but Aix-en-Provence is where it all started
the La Courneuve location holds a healthy amount of social housing and the signs of poverty are quite evident
which presented a more challenging yet fulfilling endeavor for Noah and Severine Thieffry
the organization’s co-founder and former director
the current director of Fête le Mur La Courneuve
“Now they want to come here because they saw the transformation.”
Children play table tennis at the Féte le Mur building in the La Courneuve neighborhood. The Paris Games brought attention to government assistance for the program. (Photo by Zach Bradshaw/Special for Cronkite News)
Based on the ability of sports to generate change
the barrier to an expensive sport like tennis is broken down through an introduction to the sport and subsequent training by Fête le Murstaff in underserved communities like La Courneuve
Thieffry believes the barrier to a sport can be psychologically challenging as much as it is financially
the financial barrier spurs the creation of a psychological one
Getting underserved youth to participate in new activities helps show them that they have hope for the future
La Courneuve benefits from its close proximity to the Cesaria-Evora middle school
held in the Maison Pour Tous Césaria Evora
is a sizable and colorful two-story establishment that has many different rooms and common areas for school help
It’s a safe haven for local boys and girls that traces its origin to 1996
when Noah wanted to help impoverished neighborhoods and Thieffry wanted to help give kids a place for sport
Fête le Mur’s overarching strategy across its sister locations is to also provide youth with the opportunity to advance professionally and socially through tennis lessons and programs like “Game
“Every year we have more than 15,000 kids who play tennis
who can travel and discover some friends in France,” Assaoui said
The professional aspect of the program helps students write better cover letters and resumes while developing interviewing skills that are pertinent to obtaining a job
If a student who signs up to play tennis wants a diploma
Fêtele Mur will assist or provide funding for specialization in sports or animation
“We just try to raise them up,” Thieffry said
As much as teaching tennis while providing a safe
helpful space for homework is a major positive at Fête le Mur
Fête le Mur in La Courneuve is described as a social center for children and teenagers to find community and alternative means of play through sport
Assaoui says that even if the kids do not want to play tennis
they can still find friendships with their peers and play other sports
He’s also found that even as kids get older
they come back and still use the tennis courts
which signifies an environment that creates positive experiences for the youth
The establishment and its projects are backed by government funding from the Ile-de-France
with transparency and initial approval being prerequisites for funding
“Our methodology is to work with as many people as possible,” Thieffry said
A particularly important collaboration is the one between the government and Fête le Mur for specific projects
there are two tennis courts and a good heap of open space for football and other sports
and it is one of three places where the students go to learn tennis within the campus
will not be there for much longer – at least in its current form
And our place to practice sports will be destroyed to create a new place,” Assaoui said
the renovated park will allow for basketball and will feature a garden for families to sit by
The goal is to make the park more open and accessible for families in La Courneuve
which will coincide with the renovations much of the commune underwent for the Paris Olympics
visited Fête le Mur at La Courneuve last May to celebrate the renovation of a nearby tennis court for the Around the World series by UNIQLO
This colorfully designed court brought to life by Caroline Dervaeux
dons a “93” stamp to signify the district code for the region
Federer played tennis with the children and gave them informal training
As Fêtele Mur La Courneuve will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year
it plans to create 25 new projects around the world
the kids at Fête le Mur took mini-field trips to nearby Olympics fan zones
The kids watched the Olympic Games on TV as part of their daily activities
Assaoui said he took the kids on field trips to the fan zones five or six times
Severine Theiffrey, founder of Féte le Mur, poses in front of the Féte le Mur building in the La Courneuve neighborhood of Paris. (Photo by Zach Bradshaw/Special for Cronkite News)
The Fête le Mur would not be possible without government funding
France gives more government funding to public initiatives than the state of Arizona.
an area of about 4,637 square miles that includes the City of Paris
gives as much as 11% of its yearly tax budget to social action programs
according to a presentation by the Île-de-France
Sports are “embedded” into the lives of French youth
the head of internal communications and editorial resources at Île-de-France
The Île-de-France budget in 2023 was roughly 5.5 billion euros
meaning roughly $65.2 million was given to local sports organizations
youth organizations and other collaborative efforts
The Île-de-France represents roughly 18% of the French population
and it designates a portion of its yearly budget to a category titled “environment and quality of life.” The state of Arizona in 2023 did not give a portion of its budget to a “quality of life” initiative
but it did give roughly 41% of its $1.3 billion budget to a sector titled “Capital & Infrastructure.”
no part of Arizona’s budget plan specifically gave money to either environmental matters or quality of life initiatives
the “quality of life” initiatives the Île-de-France gives money to are things like youth engagement programs
youth clubs and other community outreach programs
“That’s our role as an institution,” she said
Dominic said the Île-de-France tries to follow the theory of broken glass windows
“It means that if you live in a busy building
and you just don’t repair it … the building is going to be ugly and broken
so the population will be broken and forgotten,” she said
if you repair it … people will be proud of it.”
The saying goes for how the Île-de-France tries to help residents in the community: It doesn’t want people left behind
It wants to create spaces that people can use
Dominic considers sports as an “educator” for the youth
which is why the government donates a large portion of its budget to youth sports groups
Fête le Mur is one of the organizations that receives money from Île-de-France
kids are given access to sports they might not reach normally
Thieffry said one of the reasons Fête le Mur chose to build the La Courneuve location was so that local kids have access to tennis courts
Île-de-France Internal Communications Coordinator from 2001 to 2002
“Especially in rough areas … youth may not have opportunities based on their background,” Broutin said
“The use of sport is a way to help them climb the social ladder.”
Broutin said sports are more than just exercise: Kids are introduced to the mindset of rules
new family standards and new ways of entertaining themselves
The most important youth sports organizations are in the suburbs
because those are the ones with the most impoverished people in the Île-de-France region
they’re different from the suburbs in the U.S.,” Broutin said
“The suburbs in France are where a lot of people who don’t have the financial means of living in the center of Paris… The prices in Paris are just insane
“Sports and organizations are helping them integrate to the French culture and different rules,” he said
“Make sure they don’t fall into gang activity.”
Donating money to youth sports programs or public outreach programs is not a politically-polarizing move in France
When France had left-leaning presidents in power
they gave money to public outreach programs
Even when France had right-leaning presidents
“No matter where you are on the political spectrum
you will find that right or left agree on the need to invest in neighborhoods,” Broutin said
“That’s where you see a huge difference between France and the U.S.”
Zach Bradshaw expects to graduate in December 2025 with a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication
He is working to become a multimedia journalist with an emphasis on politics
including The Arizona Republic and PBS NewsHour West
covering everything from the Olympic Games to South by Southwest and presidential elections
Doyal D’angelo expects to graduate in Fall 2024 with a master’s degree in Sports Journalism
He has recently covered the 2024 Paris Olympics and has done magazine work for USA Today as a freelancer
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Watch out for traffic restrictions on this day in the heart of Seine-Saint-Denis
traffic conditions will be difficult by car
The 42.195 km race will pass through several towns in Seine-Saint-Denis
The successive passages of the men's and women's marathons will block traffic in these areas
a sliding closure (with a barricade) will be in place until 5 a.m
all lanes on the course will be closed to traffic
followed by a sliding closure from 8.15 a.m.
whether pedestrians or vehicular traffic (all types of vehicle)
controlled access will be in place from 3am until 7am
when local residents will be prohibited from using these roads
that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross the route at various points
On the public transport front
six tramway stations will be closed during the marathon
the"Théâtre Gérard Philippe","Marché de Saint-Denis","Basilique de Saint-Denis" and " Cimetière de Saint-Denis" stations
as well as the"Pierre de Geyter" and"Saint-Denis - Porte de Paris" stations on line T8
Please note that lines T11 and T3b will operate normally
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Global apparel retailer UNIQLO hosted the latest installment of its global event series
block-party style community event for Paris' La Courneuve area
tennis great and fan favorite Roger Federer
led a special coaching session to personally develop promising tennis juniors from the area
The event took place against a stunning visual backdrop - a tennis court with surface artwork by Parisian artist Caroline Derveaux
The Around the World with Roger Federer series is part of UNIQLO's ongoing Next Generation Development Program
This aims to connect UNIQLO and Federer with communities in great cities around the world
with an emphasis on supporting and developing young people
For the latest version of Around the World with Roger Federer
there was a special focus on contributing to the community
The event took place at the grounds of a school in Paris' nearby La Courneuve district
and diverse area just outside the city that is undergoing profound transformation
The court is a lasting gift from UNIQLO and Around the World with Roger Federer and is set to become an important fixture of the community
open and available to the people of La Courneuve
juniors had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to engage directly with the tennis legend in conversation
A lively Q&A session saw Federer explain what it takes to be successful at tennis
as a professional athlete and community leader
and his openness to sharing all he has learned over two decades at the pinnacle of sports were deeply inspiring to young people from the community
"Paris and its surroundings are among the world's most inspiring places
and it was a pleasure to visit La Courneuve for UNIQLO's Around the World series
I enjoyed sharing my knowledge with the next generation and hope the event both improved and inspired them
It was a fantastic experience to celebrate tennis
Paris and La Courneuve - with everyone here."
President of Global Creative at UNIQLO parent company
so we placed special emphasis on the community and legacy aspects of Around the World with Roger Federer for this visit
UNIQLO is so pleased to present this beautiful tennis court as a permanent gift
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Olympic Torch Relay | Stage 67 - Seine-Saint-Denis | Olympic Games Paris 2024Watch the highlights of the 67th stage of the Olympic Torch Relay for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 that took place in Seine-Saint-Denis
Not only is Seine-Saint-Denis the ‘youngest’ administrative department in France
but it is also the most multi-cultural with almost 130 nationalities
Its exceptional heritage is made up of 75 historical monuments as well as industrial and urban resources
as the rest of the world will discover throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
when it hosts events for ten sports including four Paralympic disciplines
They will be spread out over the Olympic aquatic centre (for artistic swimming
Parc Georges Valbon (para-marathon) and Clichy-sous-Bois (para-cycling)
The day before the launch of the Paris 2024 Games
the Olympic Torch relay endeavoured to promote the assets and initiatives that are the pride of Seine-Saint-Denis
with a visit to the Arènes de Picasso complex and to Neuilly-sur-Marne
particularly in front of the Sainte-Baudile church
The Olympic Torch Relay crossed through Tremblay-en-France and its 70 hectares of woods
Parc des Beaumonts in Montreuil and Parc Jean-Moulin-
before following the Canal de l’Ourcq from Sevran to Bobigny
the town centre of La Courneuve and then the Holocaust Memorial in Drancy
The Olympic Torch Relay then continued its route to Pierrefitte-sur-Seine
where it made its way past the Grand Mosque
Several hours earlier on Place Salvador Allende in Bagnolet
24 torchbearers celebrated dance as part of a collective relay
they recounted the development of hip-hop and breakdance culture over the last 40 years
With 4 performances depicting 4 decades one after another
the young generations handed the Olympic Torch over to the older generations
is an emblematic figure of the hip-hop movement
creator of a breakdance movement and co-creator of the pioneering French breakdance collective Aktuel Force
he is an international breakdance judge and endeavours to pass on the culture of the hip-hop movement to the younger generations
Other major names of breakdance were present alongside him
who won the competition on the famous HIP HOP programme in 1984 which made a major contribution to popularising this culture in France
world champion in the News Style category in 2005
who has danced with artists like Kery James or Alonzo
who joined the Moustico Studio school at the age of 5 years old
organised by the French Federation of boxing
took place in Aubervilliers near to the Boxing Beat
a club were a large number of boxers on the French women’s team learned the ropes
who took part in the Barcelona Games and who was captain of this collective relay
He was accompanied by enthusiasts of the discipline such as Christophe Beaurain
who boxed his way off the streets to become an international referee today
the flag-bearer for the boxers in the French delegation at the Tokyo Games
were also present for this collective relay
more than 200 torchbearers took it in turns to illuminate Seine-Saint-Denis
among whom were champions renowned in their disciplines
a silver medallist in blind football at the London Paralympic Games
a bronze medallist at the Tokyo Games with the French women’s basketball team and Gwladys Epangue
a taekwondo athlete who won a bronze medal at the Beijing Games in 2008
The day’s last relay was carried out by two emblematic figures in French sport: boxer Sarah Ourahmoune
a silver medallist at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016
triple European Union champion and ten times French champion
passed on the Olympic Torch to Lilian Thuram
the former defender for the French men’s footbal team
famous for his 142 caps and crucial contributions to the triumphs at the World Cup in 1998 and the European Championship in 2000
He had the honour of lighting the cauldron at the celebration venue located in Parc Georges Valbon
celebrities popular with the French population also carried the Olympic Torch
The spectators were able to cheer on director Alice Diop
who won many awards for her film Saint-Omer (including the César award for the best debut film)
violinist Benjamin Ducasse and rap star Gazo
who will be giving a concert later in the evening
many members of the general public also took part in the celebrations
runs an association that allows people with mental disabilities to learn how to swim
a brave mother of three children including a teenage girl with autistic disorder
who launched the “Women’s Camp” to help women from working-class areas to empower themselves
A similar commitment is what drives Cyril Wacouboue who encourages participation in sport for all by taking young people from underprivileged areas under his wing
a football coach for children aged 6 to 7 years
the celebrations are continuing this evening: Coca-Cola
an official sponsor of the Olympic Torch Relay
is organising its fifth concert since the beginning of this journey through France
this evening’s event will bring together Adèle Castillon and Gazo
The two artists had the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch: Gazo in La Courneuve and Adèle Castillon yesterday in La Garenne-Colombes
Following the Paris 2024 Olympic Games rugby sevens quarter finals
an exceptional relay will take place at night on the roof of the Stade de France with two emblematic torchbearers: 4 x 100 metres relay world champion (in 2003) and Olympic bronze medallist in Athens (in 2004) Muriel Hurtis and former French rugby captain and vice-chairman of the federation Abdelatif Benazzi will brandish the Paris 2024 Olympic Torch on the roof of the Stade de France in front of a breathtaking view over Seine-Saint-Denis
This was the last day of the Olympic Torch Relay before the big day
the Olympic Torch Relay will enter the final straight
Its last stage will take the Olympic Torch from Saint-Denis to Paris to the lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony which will mark the launch of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
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Over the years, the Parisian site of the Diplomatic Archives had become less and less adapted to its needs. A new site was neeed, to:
Several sites were then mooted, but none chosen.
The site at La Courneuve was chosen by then Foreign Minister Hubert Védrine in 2000. An architecture competition was announced in 2001 and architect Henri Gaudin’s entry was the winning project. Construction began in October 2006; the new building was handed over on 1 January 2009.
The Diplomatic Archives Centre is divided into two main spaces: a seven-floor building that houses the diplomatic archive storerooms and an open-plan area for offices and consultation and conference areas for the public .
It has capacity for 250 users across two rooms (originals and alternate formats) and a room for catalogues and reference works.
All rights reserved - Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs - 2025
© Fabien BrissaudTwo setbacks also bring air and more daylight to the entire block, either from Avenue Henri Barbusse or from the mall towards the Grand Verlaine. They create a porosity between public spaces and the block centre, promote vistas and weave links between the city and the shared community spaces.
architectures and uses is the underlying principle of the proposal
The project provides multiple readings of the exterior and interior spaces of buildings that facilitate appropriation by its residents
The success of the project will be determined through the use of the shared spaces that are the essential means for community living
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Accessible by RER, bus or tramway, the Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon is best known for having hosted the Fête de l'Humanité since 1972, before the festival was moved to Base 217 in Essonne
An immense lung of greenery in the inner suburbs
it is one of the largest natural areas in the Seine-Saint-Denis département
ping-pong tables and beautiful lawns for reading in the sun
and dogs are also welcome on a leash or loose in the dog parks
and an orienteering course to add a touch of challenge to your visit to Parc Georges-Valbon
park staff offer horse-drawn carriage rides (April to September) around the park
Even more unusual is the fact that the Clinamen association's herd of sheep lives here all year round
grazing freely on some of the park's lawns
The park is served by public transport: to get there, take RER B (stop la Courneuve/Aubervilliers) then bus 249, RER D (stop Saint-Denis) then streetcar T1. In short, for a walk in the fresh air near La Courneuve, the Parc Georges-Valbon is a must-see in the inner suburbs
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit
so the place and experience may have changed
visit former industrial plants steeped in many years of history - in short
cultural sites and other nuggets that make up France's rich heritage
le programme est mis à jour en fonction des annonces officielles
Heritage Days 2024 at the Château d'Eau de La Courneuve
Heritage Days 2024 at the Diplomatic Archives in La Courneuve
Long live JEP in the 93
The Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon in La Courneuve
known as one of the largest in Seine-Saint-Denis
has been chosen to host the festivities organized by the Département during the Olympic Games
the only urban park in Europe classified Natura 2000
is expected to welcome thousands of people every day
From July 25 to August 11, and then from September 6 to 8 for the Paralympic Games! 8sports activities will be on offer, with no fewer than 30 different activities each day
Various facilities will be set up for the occasion
as well as canoeing and sailing on the lake
Alongside the sports and festivities, the Parc des Jeux will be the venue for thecultural Olympiad's shows and events. Already announced are shows by the Kivuko and Lamento companies, a concert by the local symphony orchestra Divertimento, and the Aldébara company, which will perform Toute l'histoire des JO en 2024 secondes... La Baguette company, Les 5 anneaux perdus. Circus fans will also enjoy the presence of theAcadémie Fratellini
The Parc des Jeux will be open from 2pm to 10pm
and even a childcare service at the end of the day so that parents can enjoy the party
Each site will offer a rich and varied program of sports activities
ALL THE INFO ON https://jopparis2024.seinesaintdenis.fr/
Looking for a bit of nature on the outskirts of Paris? Then it's time to discover the parks and gardens of Seine-Saint-Denis. That's right, the 93 département is brimming with little-known corners of greenery just waiting to be discovered
Just a few metro or RER stations from the capital
Whether you're looking for a quiet moment to read under a leafy tree
this is your chance to explore the Paris region from a bucolic angle
Why not let yourself be surprised by the many facets of Seine-Saint-Denis
paths for Sunday strollers and early-morning joggers alike
shady spots for picnics and adventure playgrounds for children
but all have the power to reconnect with the essential
And if you're curious and ready to get off the beaten track
you'll see that nature in Seine-Saint-Denis can also rhyme with amazement
And don't forget to stay tuned: this selection is updated as we make new discoveries
Parc de la Sapinière, an island of greenery in Romainville (93)In Romainville, just east of Paris, nestles a green space ideal for city walks, jogging or picnicking in the open air in fine weather. [Read more]
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The news broke at around 7:30 a.m., according to RER B's X account: a serious personal accident had occurred at La Courneuve-Aubervilliers station, in the Seine-Saint-Denis département
bringingtraffic between Le Bourget and La Plaine-Stade de France to a standstill in both directions
Initially scheduled for 9.15am and then 10am
the line is not due to resume until 11.30am this morning
delays and other cancellations throughout the morning
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In the event of a serious accident involving a passenger
the driver triggers an alert so that all trains in the affected area stop: all drivers and passengers must then wait for instructions from the dispatching teams
The police (including a criminal investigation officer) and fire department are then called in: these authorities will decide whether traffic can be resumed
For passengers travelling on the RER B toRoissy Charles de Gaulle airport
RATP specifies that they can use the Roissy Bus at no extra cost on their original transport ticket
The march will start at 1pm from the La Courneuve - Aubervilliers RER station
and this year will be calling for an end to repressive policies and against the rise of the far right
After the march, it's off to a wild and festive evening at the Point Fort d'Aubervilliers, until midnight, free of charge for queer people from working-class neighborhoods and their allies, with a musical program featuring dozens of artists. This year, an after-party will be held at À la folie
You can choose to swim one lap after another in the 25-meter-long pool, or in the shallow, child-friendly learning pool. For toddlers
there's a children's area with two paddling pools (20 cm or 30 cm deep) for safe fun
The Palais des Sports pool also features outdoor pools
with massaging water jets and relaxation features
Last but not least - and this is probably the part we like best - the pool's outdoor beaches let you relax and unwind on deckchairs
the beach bar opens its doors (from May 1 to September 30)
offering a range of food and drink options including mixed salads
Admission to the Palais des Sports swimming pool in Puteaux costs €6.50 for Puteaux residents (€4.50 concessions) and €12.50 for non-residents
Every year, over half a million people gather here. This traditional event has been held since 1930, on the initiative of the press organization founded by Jean Jaurès. Yes, you've probably guessed it, I'm talking about the Fête de l'Humanité, more commonly known as the Fête de l'Huma
After being forced to cancel its 2020 edition due to the health crisis, the Fête de l'Huma returned to La Courneuve, in Seine-Saint-Denis, in September 2021. A special edition, as it was the last to be held in La Courneuve
owned by the Département de Seine-Saint-Denis
Installed on the edge of theAire des Vents in La Courneuve'sParc Georges Valbon since 1999, the Fête de l'Huma had announced that it would have to find a"new venue due to the construction of the future Media Village for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games". This has now been done, as the Fête de l'Humanité has invaded the former Plessis-Pâté air base 217
will once again take over this immense site for its 90th edition
Come and experience it for yourself on Friday
the festival will offer an eclectic program: music
who will have the honor of taking part in this new 90th edition
to be discovered for the fourth time in Essonne
The American rock icon will be back at the Fête de l'Huma
This 90th edition of the Fête de l'Humanité also features Eddy de Pretto
The Fête de l'Huma also confirms the arrival of Gims
For the rest, stay tuned and visit the official Fête de l'Humanité website to reserve your tickets
Tinariwen and Tiken Jah Fakoly also took part
The medals are unique in that they are set with a piece of the Eiffel Tower
while the reverse side features the famous Parisian monument in the background of the design imposed by the IOC
It's also the first time that amateur athletes have had the opportunity to take part in an Olympic event: the marathon! Male and female runners covered the distance of 42.195 km, across a course linking Paris to the Château de Versailles during the marathon for all held on Saturday evening
Now it's up to Paralympic athletes to compete over the queen distance in the Paralympic Marathon
With a unique route through the Seine-Saint-Denis region and emblematic Parisian landmarks
this is your chance to cheer on the best Paralympic athletes of our time in an event you can watch for free
There will be several starting times on Sunday
Here are the athletes involved (classified by gender and disability category):
Let's get out on the course and cheer on today's champions
As the Paris 2024 Olympic Games approach, Seine-Saint-Denis is gearing up to play a key role in the festivities
The département will host the Olympic torch relay
which will pass through many of its towns and cities
the Olympic flame will begin its journey through Seine-Saint-Denis
visiting iconic locations across 21 towns in the département
This journey will highlight areas often less exposed to the international spotlight
while celebrating the Olympic spirit of solidarity and diversity
The Olympic flame will travel through Seine-Saint-Denis over the course of a day and a half
2024 and continuing until the morning of July 26
just before the opening ceremony of the Games
Pierrefitte-sur-Seine to Parc Georges Valbon: 18h20 - 19h
Arrival and Lighting of the Cauldron at the Parc des Jeux : 7:30 p.m
The flame will be welcomed at emblematic sites such as the Basilique de Saint-Denis
the Archives Nationales in Pierrefitte-sur-Seine
The Parc départemental Georges-Valbon in La Courneuve will host a major celebration on the eve of the opening ceremony
inaugurating the official site of the Games in Seine-Saint-Denis
The Olympic flame's journey through Seine-Saint-Denis promises to be a landmark event
reflecting the vitality and diversity of this key département in the Paris region
This event not only prefigures the competitions to come
but also the pride and commitment of local communities to the Olympic spirit
the Paralympic flame will follow its own route through the département
with a notable passage through the Basilica of Saint-Denis
Please note that the times shown are approximate and subject to change depending on the organization and the hazards of the route
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
December 8, 2023 Filed Under: Featured, Press Releases
Municipal leaders and representatives from more than a dozen cities around the world gathered in La Courneuve
France on 13 and 14 November to exchange ideas on strengthening interculturalism in urban spaces during the third iteration of UNAOC’s “City Dialogue” series
Entitled “La Courneuve Dialogue: Building Intercultural Cities”
the event was organized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the municipality of La Courneuve
highlighting the role of cities in creating safe havens for multiculturalism to thrive
hosted at the Diplomatic Archives of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
delved on such themes as advancing intercultural dialogue; using sport as a tool for dialogue and inclusion; the role of citizen engagement in intercultural dialogue; and
the challenges of gender equality in intercultural contexts
including delegates from cities across the globe
representatives from international organizations
took part in the City Dialogue in La Courneuve
which is located about 8 kilometers from the center of Paris
In his remarks to La Courneuve Dialogue participants
stressed the need for an innovative and enduring multilateralism that recognizes cities as important partners and he highlighted the key role municipalities play in peacebuilding and reconciliation strategies
Director of the Diplomatic Archives Center of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
opened the event by pointing out that cities are at the forefront of efforts to enhance global solidarity
called on those in attendance to advance political commitments to municipal strategies that foster intercultural dialogue and durable peace and security for all
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games
sports took centerstage during the two-day event
with guided tours of prominent Olympic sporting venues
encounters with La Courneuve sport associations
and a special discussion with renowned Olympic basketball champion Ms
the La Courneuve Dialogue also featured a special presentation by youth participants of “News Generation Against Hate”
a joint initiative of UNAOC and the municipality of La Courneuve
which empowers young people to combat misinformation
and stereotypes by promoting mutual respect and intercultural understanding in the media
The event’s keynote remarks were delivered by Mr
President of the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
France and co-chair of the Social Inclusion
Participatory Democracy and Human Rights Committee of United Cities and Local Governments
The La Courneuve Dialogue followed successful editions of the City Dialogue series organized by UNAOC in Seville
If you wish to receive updates about UNAOC's advocacy and programming activities
UNAOC is the premier global platform for intercultural dialogue
For the latest news from the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), browse through the recent editions of our monthly newsletter
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May 4, 2022 Filed Under: Featured, Press Releases
New York – The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) organized an interactive discussion at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
France) who participated in the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project presented their media productions to UN officials
UNAOC is committed to engaging with municipalities
which are often on the frontlines of challenges linked to intercultural and interreligious tensions that may erupt within diverse communities
To this end and in collaboration with the municipality of La Courneuve
UNAOC implemented the project ‘News Generation Against Hate’ that has
engaged forty youth from La Courneuve between the ages of 16 and 24
Led by a group of experienced facilitators
the youth participants learned to recognize and address misinformation and discrimination in the media
they produced alternative narratives and multimedia content covering local and national issues
Their presence at the United Nations served as a culminating activity to showcase their projects
Chaired by UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC
the young participants presented the objectives
and impact of the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project
The young speakers unveiled their media productions on salient issues
gender biases and discrimination in the media
The presentation of the their media productions underscored how the La Courneuve youth have become true actors of positive social change
“I had the chance to meet the La Courneuve youth
and I was touched and impressed by their motivation
UNAOC was created to support young people by creating opportunities for dialogue and cooperation
we cannot move forward and live together productively,” said Mr
Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for UNAOC
“The youth of La Courneuve presenting their project and commitments today at the United Nations is a key achievement
for these young leaders and also for the municipality
I cherish our partnership with the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations and I am proud that
we have allowed each of these young people to be acknowledged and promoted here
via the presentations of their realizations
It is a rare and formidable opportunity for the youth to be heard on key contemporary issues at the international level and
Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations and Ms
Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)
Following their presentation at the United Nations and over the course of three days
the youth will have an opportunity to meet with local stakeholders and engage in thematic debates with UN representatives
Tick-tock, tick-tock... Good news for sports fans, as the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is finally here
the event will take place outside a stadium for the very first time
The opening ceremony will take place on the banks of the Seine
but also of the one billion television viewers
the torch will continue its journey between Saint-Denis and Paris
the Canal Saint-Denis and the Canal Saint-Martin
Who are the well-known torchbearers expected on Friday July 26 for this relay between Seine-Saint-Denis and Paris
The official website of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games has revealed the names of these famous torchbearers
those planning to travel to Paris to catch a glimpse of the flame will be able to meet American rapper Snoop Dogg
who will be covering the Olympic Games for NBC this summer
will be carrying the Olympic flame this Friday
you can also expect to see French rapper MC Solaar
comedian Booder and actress Laetitia Casta between Saint-Denis and Paris
Saint-Denis mayor Mathieu Hanotin has also confirmed the presence of Pharrell Williams
who is also artistic director of Louis Vuitton's men's collections
is due to hold the Olympic flame in Saint-Denis on Friday
As a reminder, the Seine-Saint-Denis département will host many of the events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Among them? Artistic swimming at the Olympic Aquatic Center, athletics and rugby 7s at the Stade de France and rock climbing at Le Bourget
the Olympic flame made a stopover in Seine-Saint-Denis
between Noisy-le-Grand and Parc Georges-Valbon
Numerous torchbearers took part in the parade
former French soccer player and 1998 world champion
former French athlete and Athens 2004 bronze medallist
synchronized swimming specialist for the Netherlands Antilles
The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNOAC)
has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with La Courneuve
a French city located in the northern suburbs of Paris
December 13, 2019 Filed Under: Featured, High Representative's Updates, Press Releases
13 December 2019 – The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNOAC)
After meeting with local youth and social workers
in which he congratulated the city for its commitment to fostering intercultural dialogue
He also announced that UNAOC and La Courneuve are working together to develop a capacity-building programme to enable local youth to use media in the promotion of multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue and combat stereotypes
UNAOC has worked on expanding the scope of its engagement with local actors to include municipalities
which are often in the frontlines in addressing challenges related to intercultural and interreligious tensions that may erupt within diverse communities
La Courneuve is a multicultural city where 80 percent of the population is of foreign descent
and about a third of the population is under 25 years old
It is a melting pot where youth with cultural and religious backgrounds from Europe
The new site of the Banque de France is the second biggest cash handling facility in Europe. It will handle 25% of the national reserves.
© Takuji ShimmuraThe nerve center of this architectural plan is a safe composed of three juxtaposed cubic volumes.Its main function is the high-speed automated control of banknotes. It is designed to automatically destroy worn out banknotes and put aside the ones deemed suspicious. Its secondary function is the storage of the banknotes in the 26-meter high safe.
© Takuji ShimmuraAt the entrance of the complex, two former Babcock buildings, dating back to 1923 for the brick one and 1987 for the concrete one, face the “safe”. These two units have been restored and organically connected to one another to be reborn as a unified office building that will be open to the public.
© Takuji ShimmuraThe general plan creates a dialogue between each entity of the site but also with the entire area
It questions the concept of the architectural openness of a site of which the primary function is to be fully sealed
The project is also a reflection of one of the main concerns of Jean-Paul Viguier et Associés’: the relation between heritage and contemporary architecture
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La Courneuve was once home to more than 4,000 Jews
Now its 100 Jewish families are mostly a graying bunch
LA COURNEUVE, France (JTA) — At this Paris suburb’s only Jewish facility
Rabbi Prosper Abenaim serves sweet tea to his synagogue’s most frequent and reliable guests: machine gun-toting troops of the French Legion
posted here to defend Jews in this heavily Muslim and crime-stricken municipality bordering the capital
are the first new faces in years in this dwindling community
which has lost thousands of congregants over the past two decades to Israel and safer areas of Paris
That wasn’t the case when Abenaim first arrived at La Courneuve’s Ahavat Chalom synagogue in 1992
There were over 4,000 Jews in the neighborhood then and it was a struggle to fit them all into the synagogue on Yom Kippur
“The shul overflowed onto the street,” Abenaim recalled
READ: French Jews leaving in record numbers – but not for the reason you think
improved economic fortunes and repeated anti-Semitic attacks have driven out all but 100 Jewish families from the neighborhood
where drug dealers operate openly on streets that residents say police are too afraid to patrol
The remaining Jews are mostly a graying bunch
who lives in Paris’ affluent and heavily Jewish 17th arrondisement and has encouraged his congregants to leave for Israel
“I understand why people don’t want to raise children here
La Courneuve’s reputation for criminality is well established and reflected in the security measures at Ahavat Chalom, which resembles a fortress with its heavy metal doors, multitude of security cameras and three armed soldiers in military camouflage at the entrance. For years, the city has ranked among the most violent in France
with 19 assaults per 1,000 residents recorded in 2013
gangs of young men openly exchange drugs for cash
prostitutes are soliciting clients on Pasteur Boulevard
a group of men wearing colorful sports clothes stand around smoking cigarettes and marijuana on a Monday morning
a native of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin who identified himself only as Degree
said he felt safe “to do whatever here” because “police won’t come here
Security around the synagogue was beefed up following those attacks, but the soldiers were already in place. Their presence is part of Operation Sentinel, launched in response to the January 2015 murder of four Jews at a kosher supermarket in Paris. Ahavat Chalom, which in 2002 survived a fire sparked by four firebombs
such attacks have spurred many Jews to leave poor Parisian suburbs like La Courneuve in favor of safer neighborhoods
a Paris-based former senior correspondent for Reuters
“Tens of thousands changed neighborhoods, pushed by the hostility of their Arab neighbors or drawn elsewhere through social mobility,” Edinger wrote last month in The Jerusalem Report
once had three synagogues and many kosher shops
Today there is one synagogue and kosher food is available on one shelf at a regular supermarket
founder of the National Bureau for Vigilance Against Anti-Semitism
said that while immigration from France to Israel has reached record levels
it only accounts for about 15,000 people over the past decade
Many more French Jews have been internally displaced
moving farther from Paris or into the city’s wealthier neighborhoods
READ: Aliyah debate exposes French Jewry’s internal fault lines
Abenaim said he has seen this happening before his eyes
Congregants from La Courneuve have left the area and settled near Abenaim’s home in the 17th arrondissement
which had no synagogues 30 years ago and now boasts no fewer than eight
La Courneuve has seen a proliferation of Islamic schools and apartment-size mosques located deep in the maze of drab public housing projects
One of the mosques was a synagogue in the 1960s
when the first Jews arrived here as refugees fleeing the war in Algeria
The 1962 arrival of 4,000 French Jews gave the name to one of La Courneuve’s main projects
moved to La Courneuve in 1996 for the low rent and proximity to his workplace and children
he has adopted a tough attitude and taken to wearing bulky coats in all weather to signal that he might be armed
Felous paid for the apples of a fellow shopper
an elderly Arab woman with whom he cracked a few jokes
kicking the shopping cart of a fellow shopper who had cut him in line while delivering a juicy curse
“You have to respond immediately here,” Felous said
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Incident near Paris 2024 Olympic village follows death last week of teenager after police chase
Nine people, including two minors, have been arrested after a group of about 50 people attacked a police station near the Paris 2024 Olympic village with heavy-duty rocket fireworks
the French capital’s top police official has said
The attack on Sunday evening in La Courneuve followed the death last Wednesday of a teenager after a police chase. Authorities announced a reinforced police presence across the northern Paris suburb
“Police have a strong presence there today and that will be even more the case during the Olympics
when we will have a massive presence everywhere in the Paris region
and I have no fear on that level,” the Paris police chief
Nunez said about 50 people “attacked the police station in La Courneuve
mostly with fireworks shot from launchers”
adding that the attackers also threw stones and molotov cocktails in a standoff that lasted about 30 minutes
Police returned fire with sting-ball grenades and flash-ball projectiles
which are routinely used by French riot police as an alternative to firearms
Nunéz said the attack “can be linked” to the death last week of the 18-year-old
a few kilometres from the Olympic village in the suburbs of Seine-Saint-Denis
a largely low-income department north of the capital that the government hopes will gain from Games-related infrastructure investment
The police chief said many of the attacking group came from the same neighbourhood as Wanys
who was killed in the nearby town of Aubervilliers after refusing to stop when police ordered him to do so
In French cities including Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and Toulouse there were six consecutive nights of rioting and violence last summer after the police shooting of Nahel Merzouk
2,000 shops looted and hundreds of public buildings trashed
The police officer who fired the fatal shot has been charged with voluntary homicide
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Lawyers for Wanys R’s family have said the collision was deliberate but police representatives say it was an accident
Nunéz said two officers were slightly injured in Sunday night’s clashes and dozens of extra police were being drafted in to ensure calm
“The reinforcements will stay there for as long as necessary,” he said
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110 different nationalities mingle along the Avenue Jean-Jaurès
Right on the capital's doorstep but a million miles away from Parisians
on a stretch of asphalt that runs for three kilometers from Porte de La Villette
running by Aubervilliers to the west and Pantin to the east
once known as the Route Nationale 2 (RN2) which heads to Belgium
People from more than 110 different countries live alongside each other here
and nearly half the population is below the poverty line
women and unaccompanied minors have come from all over the world in search of a better life
often with just a phone number in their pocket – that of a cousin
a guy from the village or the uncle of a neighbor
Some spend a few weeks in this miserable transit hall
engaging in petty crime or carrying out major acts of violence
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described as a unique living space drawing on the site's memory
and combining a major cultural and leisure facility with housing designed to meet new lifestyles
It is now a perfect example of the challenges of reconverting an industrial site
For the Journées du Patrimoine 2024
come and discover the Babcock & Wilcox industrial site and its urban art trail free of charge
Two guides will be on hand to answer your questions
Happy Heritage Days in Seine-Saint-Denis
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On a hot day in May, Monte Laster and I drove an hour and a half out of Dallas to Castle Rock Mountain, a ranch he had purchased just two weeks prior to serve as the American base for his community engagement platform—the French American Creative Exchange (FACE)
I was in town for the first edition of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Soluna International Music and Arts Festival
which commissioned Laster to create a new project based on notions of place
primarily in the disenfranchised banlieue of La Courneuve
a fifteen-minute train ride north of Paris
“I’m 100% Texan and 80% French,” the artist said
When we got to the ranch he gave me a quick tour of the house and grounds
which years of poor upkeep and a recent flood had thoroughly integrated
Laster pulled on knee-high snake boots and handed me a pair
My feet didn’t make it past the bend of the ankle
“My father and brother have lived here all their lives,” he told me
“and they won’t go down there without snake boots.” Down there miles of thick brush and cactus scraped together above swampy lowland soil
This interview took place while I was taking my chances
Hunter Braithwaite When did you become interested in the relationship between art and the environment
Monte Laster I’ve always been interested in landscape and botany
My parents gave me my own section of the yard to garden
HB Does this landscape differ from where you grew up
where we lived when I was a little kid was more residential
and all of my aunts and uncles had farms and ranches that were farther out
HB You’ve been making work in France for decades
ML Bicultural and multicultural identities are concepts that recur in my life and work
This is a concept that is very complex in France
as it seems that integration is often confused with assimilation
This is especially true in the context of the banlieues
Many of the participants with whom I work are Algerian-French or Malian-French
but that does not compute in French culture
This has been at the center of my artistic practice for twenty years
I look for creative methods of moving away from multicultural relationships and toward intercultural dynamics
HB Can you tell me about these urban walks you do in Paris
I feel like it is similar to what we’re doing right now
hiking through the brush while engaging the flâneur
ML There is a definitely a linking between humans and place
This project I did with Patrick Bouchain called Des hommes
des lieux is about the idea of a person connecting with physical space
and then the actions that come from a passion for that place
It’s what Bouchain calls “the elegance” of taking something that others see as waste and transmuting that object
He explains that many of us drive or pass by on a train and see something thrown by the wayside
The walks I have been doing for many years are ways of appropriating
ML We did a sheep-herd across the government housing project
It was a way of helping people there reconnect with nature
many of the immigrants have agricultural backgrounds
They were farmers in the countries they came from
When we did the sheep-herd a sheep was ill
One of the guys that lived in one of the apartments shouted from a window seven floors up—“Hey
that sheep’s got a problem.” He came down and told us to boil some rice and put something in it to get rid of the illness right away
And because the population is probably 80% Muslim
it’s the idea of connecting with the feast of Eid Al-Adha
It’s also a way of healing that contrast between the government housing project and a connection with nature that they don’t have anymore
HB Is it easy to move from these buildings into the heart of Paris
you talked about kids riding scooters around—burning fuel but having no place to go
ML In researching footage for my film for Arte [a Franco-German television network] about the 2012 demolition of the Balzac government housing project
I came across footage from a 1968 report that began with a group of young men riding their scooters around the 4000 [La Cité des 4000
When the journalist stopped them to ask them why they were doing this
they replied that it was because they had nothing better to do
and that when they had no more fuel they went to play foosball
the young—and not-so-young—guys still ride around on mini-dirt bikes and four-wheelers
Jean-Luc Godard also denounced these same “frustrations of seeking the modern life” in Two or Three Things I Know about Her (1967)
It had roll-pleat leather seats and this really cool steering wheel
I could rival my best friend who had a souped-up Mustang
We would go and drive around and around the Jack in the Box
HB So the plan is for Castle Rock to be the home base for FACE
You’ll be bringing people from both France and this area here to engage with the site
ML We already have plans in October to bring the five young people who we’ve been working with in the films for Soluna
Showing a bit of video is a tiny tip of the iceberg
I’m not trying to work with everybody in the world or as many people as possible
I made a decision years ago to work with the same people
A lot of the rappers we’ve been working with since they were thirteen or fourteen years old are still part of the project in their twenties
can you tell me the history of Castle Rock
there was a goldmine up on top of the mountain that stretched from here down to the Brazos River
1910—we don’t have any exact dates—a dancehall was built on top of the mine
You still have a fifteen-foot drop under the fireplace
It was just built directly on top of the boulders
one of the first gas stations in this whole area was here
It’s supposedly where Bonnie and Clyde hung out
Another legend has it that this is the place where Jack Ruby and Lee Harvey Oswald plotted the assassination of John F
my Dad actually went to High School with Oswald
He told me this while he was in the hospital recently
He tried to befriend him because he felt sorry for him
ML BiB was a social sculpture that had a linked double objective
First we tried to move as many different artists and nonprofits as possible—specifically those who were doing participative projects in the context of the suburbs—to the Palais de Tokyo for a three-day festival
The result was the displacement of a large number of people who had never been to a contemporary art museum before
It was an encounter between thousands of habitual visitors and thousands of non-habitual visitors that I thought most important
and encouraged the importance of participative culture in the suburbs
HB And the five films you’re doing for Soluna
ML When they gave me the theme Destination: America and the idea of working with the orchestra
I wanted to do something that was in movements and dealt with displacement
there are fifteen films—three different works with the high school students
The subject matter for each of them is a reason for displacement: to get an education
Each one of them represents one of those subjects
ML One film stars a young man named Salif who lives in the building named Robespierre across from my studio
he is already a great actor with an amazing screen presence
His chosen subject was “flight from physical and mental harm.” He came up with a scenario that placed him in two opposing situations
physically running from danger and then posed in a comfortable
We filmed these two scenes with him in my apartment in Paris
These images were then paired with footage I filmed on the Texas/Mexico border
I was also able to get Salif an internship in New York City
He is working on building new projects for FACE US over the next few months
HB Why have you returned to music with your practice
ML This residency with the Dallas Symphony was the continuation of a series of works I have been doing with classical music over the past eight years
It began with a work involving local young rappers and a baroque Venetian Vocal Ensemble
Working with classical music and its rigorous demands for repetition and control forms a perfect backdrop for working with very freeform interpretation
I also really like doing collaborations between professional and non-professional artists
HB How much of your practice is research based
Whether talking about the north of Paris or the west of Texas
ML I went through a long period of depression
and I remember reading that if you’re interested in everything around you
everything around will be interested in you
the Alliance Française threw me out after three months
They said I didn’t have the capacity to learn the French language
ML The painting I did was very inspired by contemporary artists like Georg Baselitz and people like that
people who connected to Art Brut and outsider art
I had to be isolated in my studio to paint and do my sculpture
and I hated the isolation because it’s just not me
I’d force myself to go into the studio at 11 pm
when everybody else was getting ready to go to bed
Then I could work because I couldn’t be with anybody else anyway
It became this cycle of working all night and then being totally out of whack
It was really in 1999 when Renoir was demolished that I started doing this work
is when I started working with the people in the towers Ravel and Presov
My personal opinion is that it is foremost because of their identities
The buildings were very well built back in the ’60s
It was an experiment to build 4000 apartments in a record time and for the least amount of money as possible
They were built to house people living in shantytowns built on the garbage dump that is now one of Paris’s largest parks
Hundreds of people died there of illnesses and fires in the late ’50s and early ’60s
A priest named Abbé Pierre made a national call for decent housing that resulted in the building of this utopic conglomeration
I have been working with Architects Lacaton & Vassal for several years to propose an alternative to these pointless destructions
The local city and federal governments see no interest in refurbishing these buildings
in spite of the common knowledge of their financial and social value
HB When I spent a summer in Paris trying unsuccessfully to learn French
I was struck by how many streets were named after writers and painters
It’s interesting that it was destroyed because it didn’t fit with their idea of France
It’s also ironic that the demolition of a building named Renoir marked the end of your painting practice
ML The real irony is that today all of the new buildings are named after people who were in the fight for African-American equality
I’m doing a whole project about the dynamics of why this communist city has moved away from names of classic French artists
When I asked the Deputy Mayor in charge of culture
it’s because those are the people who are closest to our spirit today
to what we’re trying to do.” It’s evidence of the monocultural world that we’re going toward
Banlieue is Beautiful refers to the “Black is Beautiful” movement in the United States
HB What was the community response to Charlie Hebdo
ML A lot of fear that there would be repercussions
speaking to the junior class when I got the text message
I had seen Stéphane Charbonnier two weeks before at a dinner party
“Everybody keeps thanking me for continuing to be here.” It was a huge upheaval in the local community
is what’s happening—Marine Le Pen was just named one of the most influential people in the world
which was the same thing for Hitler in 1938
Everyone’s really afraid that she’s going to be the next president
HB What else do you hope to accomplish in Texas
ML Creating FACE US at Castle Rock Mountain is the next big step for me
This homecoming is something I wasn’t really expecting
I realized how important it is to keep the synergy going
I remembered Joseph Beuys’s Aufruf zur Alternative and how there is still such great need to challenge the business-as-usual spirit that we tend to adhere to so easily
This inspired me to create CO-OP—a social sculpture
once again attached to the idea of person-place-action
It is based on the idea of agricultural co-ops and the spirit of co-operation
Another work will be the continuation of my piece The Common and the In Common with both inmates in France at the Villepinte Prison north of Paris and at the Polunsky Unit in Huntsville
where I’ve been working with the head chaplain
It is not a work that directly questions the death penalty
it is inspired by a phrase by Jean Genet: “a community for those who have no community.” If we lose our ability to see humanity in anyone
he has been working within the community of La Cité des 4000 in La Courneuve
perhaps the most socially stigmatized housing project in France
He has exhibited and worked with institutions including the Musée du Louvre and Palais de Tokyo Center for Contemporary art in Paris and at Rothko Chapel and the Dallas Museum of Art in Texas
Hunter Braithwaite is a writer based in Memphis
He contributes frequently to a variety of publications
including Modern Painters and The Brooklyn Rail
He was the founding editor of The Miami Rail
Airbus Helicopters celebrated the inauguration of its Paris-Le Bourget site
where helicopter blades are now being produced for the Airbus range
The blade-specific specialisation is part of the manufacturer’s industrial strategy
Covering an area of 18 hectares and with a total investment of more than 100 M€
the new Paris-Le Bourget site was conceived as a model for modern and digitalised production
The use of automation and cobotisation – the coexisting work performed by people and robots – will play a major role in how the site functions
Because production is organised by type of work rather than by product produced
variations in work load are able to be accommodated in a more flexible way than before
interns and temporary workers work in a 35,000 m² hangar to produce and repair around 4,000 blades a year
touring the Paris-Le Bourget blades production site following the opening ceremony on Friday 1 December.JPEG image, 4.63 MB
EXPH-1763-11An employee repairs a helicopter blade at Airbus’ new Paris-Le Bourget blade production siteJPEG image, 2.71 MB
EXPH 1763 16JPEG image, 2.36 MB
Over 1,500 Romanians attended the Sunday Divine Liturgy celebrated by Bishop Macarie of Northern Europe at the Three Holy Hierarchs church in La Courneuve
“Only through the Cross can we rise to Heaven”
Bishop Macarie told the believers gathered for the Sunday liturgy
“The cross becomes a ladder to Heaven
Only through the Cross can we acquire Heaven
cried out to the Lord in tears of repentance and correction: My Lord
remember me when you come into your Kingdom
And the Lord opened Heaven with him,” Bishop Macarie said
The hierarch presented Parish Priest Mircea Filip with the “Northern Cross” Award as a sign of appreciation for his sacrifice and service to the Romanian community in Paris
The Romanian Bishop of Northern Europe’s visit to Paris was occasioned by a lecture about the Cross of Young People Today
which Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe attended
The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved on October 4th the canonization of Eldress Sophia
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew traveled by air to Antalya
the Patriarchate of Jerusalem solemnly celebrated the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women...
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos..
it was announced that two Roman Catholic institutions in Bavaria have decided to jointly..
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Tuesday
World Subscribers only In Zurich
'Around 50 people' shot fireworks at the building
Nine people have been arrested over a firework attack on a police station near Paris
the French capital's top police official said Monday
Videos posted on social media showed groups of people firing a barrage of fireworks at the building's facade
"Around 50 people attacked the police station in La Courneuve
mostly with firework mortar shots" late Sunday
Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez told broadcaster TF1
La Courneuve lies in Paris's northern suburbs
in the Seine-Saint-Denis department that hosts Olympic venues including the flagship Stade de France stadium
The Sunday evening attack in the northern suburb of La Courneuve came four days after a teenager riding a moped was killed in a car chase with police
"We can tie this attack to the death" of the 18-year-old killed on Wednesday
"The young people clearly came from the neighborhood" where Wanys lived
Police responded with sting-ball grenades and flash-ball projectiles
used by riot police as an alternative to firearms
Nuñez said the arrested suspects included seven adults aged 18-21 and two minors
Two police officers were "slightly hurt," he added
Nuñez said police reinforcements would be deployed in the area around midday on Monday
was being chased by police Wednesday after refusing to stop for a check
A video widely shared online showed how his scooter was struck by a police car
The lawyer representing Wanys's family on Friday accused the police of hitting him on purpose
while the officers' own representative insisted it was an accident
May 3, 2022 Filed Under: Featured, Press Releases
A group of young participants between the ages of 16 to 24 years old from the municipality of La Courneuve (Paris area, France) will present their achievements following their completion of UNAOC’s “News Generation Against Hate” programme
the programme equipped young people with the tools to combat misinformation
and stereotypes by promoting intercultural and interreligious understanding in the media
Through workshops and capacity-building activities
a total of 40 participants acquired storytelling techniques and competencies to promote mutual understanding and respect for the other
through the production of media content such as videos and radio podcasts
participants learned to recognize and address misinformation and discrimination in the media
they produced alternative narratives and multimedia content covering local and national issues related to multiculturalism
becoming active actors and partners of social change
The event will be broadcast live on the UN Web TV website
The Ceremony will be covered live on Twitter
Join the social media conversation through the official hashtag: #LesMediasCestNous
The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) is committed to engaging with municipalities
Through this component of the ‘News Generation Against Hate’ project
UNAOC seeks to empower the youth participants by providing them with a platform for dialogue
this will also constitute a unique opportunity for UNAOC to showcase the potential of working with local youth in collaboration with municipalities – an approach that is replicable across the board
in line with UNAOC’s wider strategy of working with cities and local governments to mobilize action at the community level
High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations
The spotlight will be on ten youth participants
who will present their media projects and achievements following the programme’s intensive capacity-building trainings and media workshops
the following guests will deliver keynote remarks:
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while watching the events live on giant screens
the site will be open for 17 days and is intended to be participatory
6 exceptional evenings will feature national and international musical artists
while an 80m-high skyliner will give you a bird's eye view of the venue
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
The young residents of La Courneuve had a lot to say about the Charlie Hebdo murders 10 months ago
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“You have missed Karim, he has gone to Syria,” was the gleeful response when asked about the whereabouts of the young man from his friends in La Courneuve, a vast and a wretched banlieue near Paris.
They, and Karim, had a lot to say about the Charlie Hebdo murders 10 months ago. Most of them had little sympathy for the dead journalists who, they said, had insulted their religion with their cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. A Muslim policeman who was killed during the attack, Ahmed Merabat, was viewed as a traitor. They themselves felt no loyalty, they declared, to the French state.
Karim had been more restrained, pointing out how wretched housing, poor education and racism by officials left young Muslims feeling hopeless, angry and with a desire to strike back. “I am 19 years old, what chance have I got of having a good job, having a good future?” He had asked.
Had Karim really gone to fight in Syria? Further inquiries revealed that was not the case. His family had left their flat four months ago because, said a neighbour, they wanted to move somewhere with better prospects. But there was a sense of wistfulness among some of Karim’s friends about joining jihad, a wish almost that Karim really had gone to Syria, as they stood on the street corner on a grey afternoon with ugly grey buildings behind them, hoodies pulled down over their faces.
The government had, in fact, been carrying out reconstruction in La Courneuve over the past three years. There is new investment and François Hollande paid a visit to the factory of a recycling company last month. There are promises of new shops and businesses. But old shops and businesses remain closed and residents do not trust official promises. Around 200 Roma migrants camped outside the town hall after their homes in Le Samaritain were pulled down.
Kotbi Lekbir, director general of Union des Organisations Islamiques de France, based in La Courneuve, wanted to stress: “ The neglect of banlieues has been historic, there is some government work taking place now, but it is still too little and too slow.
“We know, of course, that people who are discontented can be exploited by extremists, by preachers giving the wrong message. We are here to help with any problems the local Muslim population have, spiritual or anything else. We are lucky only a tiny percentage of Muslims turn to extremism and only a tiny percentage of the population turn to Islamophobia. But we must be careful to guide our young.”
Down the street, Abdulqassem, who had wanted the others to condemn the murders, said goodbye. “Of course you know Karim hasn’t gone to Syria, that was just bulls***. A lot of these guys bulls*** about jihad, they are just frustrated by life. But some of them, might just make the journey, sometimes people you don’t expect,” he reflected, nodding at the group in a huddle, them against the world.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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The idea of a federation of European States as a means to banish war from the continent forever has been around a long time (see Victor Hugo’s opening speech at the Peace Congress in 1849
But it was in the aftermath of the First World War that more tangible projects were conceived
in line with the principles promoted by the League of Nations and which inspired founders of united Europe like Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman
Aristide Briand was French Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1925 to 1931 and shaped closer Franco-German ties alongside his German counterpart
establishing relations of trust between the two States was the essential prerequisite of the European project
in his speech before the General Assembly of the League of Nations
Aristide Briand proposed forming “a kind of federal link” between European nations
Without undermining national sovereignty of States under the 1919-2020 treaties
the plan envisaged the creation of a real common market but was not well received in the United Kingdom
reflection continued on the organization of Europe: a Europe led from Berlin
or a federal Europe as the only way to rebuild the continent
a number of studies appeared concerning the conditions for restoring peace and rebuilding Europe
The idea of forming an economic union of Western Europe
was discussed with Infrastructure Commissioner René Mayer
Economic Affairs Commissioner Hervé Alphand and Foreign Affairs Commissioner René Massigli of the CFLN
Following Winston Churchill’s speech on 19 September 1946
calling for the creation of a “United States of Europe”
made up of the partisans of a united Europe
these partisans met in The Hague at the Congress of Europe
which produced proposals that would lead to the creation of the first European intergovernmental institution
the movements campaigning for unification of Europe met in The Hague at the Congress of Europe
chaired by Winston Churchill alongside Konrad Adenauer
The Congress unanimously called for governments to form a European Assembly
Guy Le Querrec's photos convey the majesty
and cosmic unreality of the Arkestra front-man
Guy Le Querrec
Guy Le Querrec’s photographic career has been intertwined with jazz music from the outset
with his earliest work being made in London in the late 1950s
where he became immersed in the city’s jazz scene
Throughout his career the genre has been a constant
and Nina Simone studding his longterm projects
capture the group’s intimacy just as much as the leader’s otherness
In the following extract from her 1977 book, ‘As Serious As Your Life ‘
and widely misrepresented new musical genre – free jazz – photographer and journalist Valer Wilmer delves into Sun Ra’s famed levels of inspiration and dedication
‘As Serious As Your Life’ was recently re-released by Serpent’s Tail
Sun Ra was Artist-in-Residence on the University of California campus at Berkeley
The Arkestra itself has moved to Philadelphia
but some things never change at the Sun Studio
it was not uncommon for Sun Ra’s apprentices to sit up half the night waiting patiently for the master to prepare an arrangement
Nearly all his writing is done at rehearsals
like Duke Ellington with the particular capacities of the individual in mind
and what’s going on in the cosmos,’ he says
‘And actually each one of my numbers is just like a news item
Sun Ra’s music had already been a driving force for ten years when he and the Arkestra moved to New York in 1961
Even before they left their original base in Chicago
their devotees would ask those who had heard them play on consecutive nights
‘Has the band caught up with Sun Ra yet?’ His innovations
not to mention his espousal of the idea of intergalactic travel and its implications for the human race
have always been in advance of the contemporary attitude
yet it has been suggested by one writer that he ‘tied in’ with New York’s growing free-form movement on his arrival
The truth of it was that he and his musical spacemen were already there
‘If you’re going to talk about “avant-garde”,’ said drummer Clifford Jarvis
‘Sun Ra is the first in that particular music.’
Sun Ra is one of the unacknowledged legislators of the world.’ Roger Blank
another drummer who played and recorded with him
paraphrased Shelley in an attempt to describe his influence
is convinced that Sun Ra is greater than Stravin- sky or Bartok
‘And by my standards and by the standards I’ve acquired in getting my traditional education
I would say he is more creative than Cage or Stockhausen.’
On a record made before an audience in Cairo
Sun Ra was asked to define ‘progressive music’
‘It means keeping ahead of the time,’ he said
‘It’s supposed to stimulate people to think of themselves as modern freemen.’
Sun Ra has become conspicuous for his colourful attire
dressing in a style seemingly derived from somewhere midway between Africa and the realms of science fiction
since he has allowed anyone to see him in Western dress (although there is a film in existence made at a party in the ’fifties where the guests stood around
‘Have you heard the New Music – this new jazz?’ and the answer was provided by Sun Ra
all of whom were dressed in white tuxedos)
His musical explorations are invariably related to journeys into Infinity beyond the Universe itself
are the kind of titles he gives his compositions
who adopted the name of the Egyptian sun god and has always been deliberately mysterious about his origins
the Inspector of Antiquities told one of the musicians that he had never met anyone who could support the tremendous wisdom the name traditionally implied
Sun Ra has gone a long way towards doing so
He was the first artist to speak of spiritual matters and the need for personal discipline amongst musicians
Anyone who wanted to play with him had to accept a severe personal regimen – at least while they were in his company
Some of his shorter pieces even carry the titles of various numbered ‘Disciplines’
‘Sun Ra runs his band like an army,’ a young saxophonist related from painful first-hand experience
“Sit down!” they sit down.’ He even has one of their number stand guard at the door all night
‘When the Army wants to build men they isolate them
It’s just the case that these are musicians
knowing everything means touching on all places of music
Of course they won’t get as much chance to play as other musicians
france image © eugeni pons photography
strasbourg based-practice dominique coulon & associés has created ‘josephine baker’ a group of schools in la courneuve
the scheme looks to reorganize the site while referencing and corresponding to a pair of housing blocks that once stood in its place
front image © eugeni pons photography
the interconnected volumes produce an organic and integrated organization that separates the primary and nursery classrooms
strategically deployed around the triangular site
the school features a collection of buildings that accommodate elevated sports areas
merging playgrounds and interstitial gardens
side images © eugeni pons photography
bold and cantilevered volumes fold and slide around the site
indentations and changes in color break up the vertically dominant facade which reacts to the intersecting axis and historical landmarks that surround the school
winding passageways and large thresholds participate in a subtle two fold movement of advance and retreat
meant to gently separate the child from both its parents and the nearby playgrounds
side image © eugeni pons photography
approach images © eugeni pons photography
various structures come together to form the school yard image © eugeni pons photography
school yard image © eugeni pons photography
sheltered area image © eugeni pons photography
bright orange contrasts the dominant white forms
bouncing sunshine around the school yard image © olivier nicollas photographe
outdoor space image © olivier nicollas photographe
play areas (left) image © nicolas foucher photography (right) image © olivier nicollas photographe
rooftop soccer field image © eugeni pons photography
ramp and bridges leading to sports areas image © eugeni pons photography
rooftop sports areas image © olivier nicollas photographe
classroom image © eugeni pons photography
upper corridor image © eugeni pons photography
stairway images © eugeni pons photography
main hallway image © eugeni pons photography
entrance to classrooms image © eugeni pons photography
corridor image © delphine george photographe
floor plan / level 0 image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés
floor plan / level 1 image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés
roof plan image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés
diagram image courtesy of dominique coulon & associés
AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function
but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style
Marseille have not come close to reaching the highs and lows that they experienced under Bernard Tapie
the only French team to win a major European trophy
and one of the most popular clubs in France
but they are no longer the dominant force that they were under the man who wanted to win at all costs
even if it meant disgracing himself and his team
Tapie went from a shoo-in to become Marseille’s next mayoral and one of the leading prospective candidates to replace François Mitterand as President of France to facing charges of complicity of corruption and witness tampering in a high-profile trial led by prosecutor Éric de Montgolfier
As OM braced for their relegation to the second tier
including 8 months non-suspended and 3 years of deprivation of his civic rights
As opposed to Donald Trump, often considered his American counterpart, Tapie never reached the highest political office, but like Trump, he was forced to declare bankruptcy after being sued by his bank for repayment of a $240 million loan
Having been charged with evading $13.5 million in French taxes
Tapie was barred from holding elective office for five years and could do nothing but watch as the Crédit Lyonnais bank confiscated his mansion
Unable to pursue business and footballing ventures or seek political office
starring in Claude Lelouch’s 1996 film “Hommes
Tapie collaborated with French rapper Doc Gynéco on the song “C’est beau la vie,” (Life is beautiful)
receiving rave reviews for his rendition of Jack Nicholson’s role of Randle McMurphy in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” In the years that followed
Tapie performed in various plays and starred as a police chief in the series “Valence.”
“I think that if [Tapie] were American
he would be president today,” stated Lelouch in Marina Zenovich’s 2001 documentary Who Is Bernard Tapie
“Or he’d be in the electric chair.”
Tapie returned to Olympique de Marseille in 2001 as a sporting director, but he often found himself at odds with financial director Pierre Dubiton, who had refused to pay for some of the recruits that Tapie had pursued
I have the feeling that some people are trying to tear everything down,” said Tapie in an interview with Le Parisien
“Dreyfus has all the means to solve Marseille’s problems
Either he does what he has to do and appoints reliable people and OM will survive
or doesn’t and OM will deteriorate to the point of implosion.”
Dubiton was sacked in September due to disagreements with Tapie
but when you’re dealing with cowards
I’m not surprised not to have received it,” snapped Dubiton
I can prove that there was a slush fund at OM between 1986 and 1993 and I can bring Tapie to correctional.”
despite the fact that his coach Lucien Favre was unaware of the player’s arrival
Marseille purchased Tuzzio for a fee of €6.4 million in addition to an undisclosed comission of €580,000 for intermediary Gilbert Sau
Tapie announced his decision to step down at the end of the season
ending a brief and ineffective return to football
he continued to wage a legal battle on Crédit Lyonnais due to a dispute dating back to the 1993 sale of Adidas
Pressured to give up his business stakes after assuming elected office
Tapie had sold Adidas to the state-owned bank for a fee of €320 million
Louis-Dreyfus initially received a 15% stake, but later took up his purchase option to seize the entirety of the Adidas shares for a fee of €709 million
allowing Crédit Lyonnais to pocket a hefty return on investment
prompting the bank to annul their memorandum of understanding which had provided for the gradual sale of his other businesses in order to pay off his remaining debt
15 years after winning elected office as a center-left candidate
Tapie chose to support the center-right Nicolas Sarkozy in the 2007 French presidential election over the Socialist Party leader Ségolène Royal
With both candidates failing to secure a majority
Sarkozy eventually won the run-off election to replace the outgoing Jacques Chirac on May 6
After previously stating their intention to take Tapie to court
the French government decided to set up an independent arbitration panel to settle the case
who had recently been moved by Sarkozy from her role within the Agriculture Department to a position as the Minister of the Economy and Finance
entrusted the case to her chief of staff Stéphane Richard
now the chief executive of mobile phone network Orange
Pierre Mazeaud and Jean-Denis Bredin presided as arbitrators
the tribunal ruled that Tapie should receive €403 million from the government in compensation
By the time the 2012 election rolled around
Sarkozy’s government found themselves flooded with a barrage of scandals including allegations that he received €50 million in pay-outs from Libya president Muammar Gaddafi
This saw Sarkozy lose the election to François Hollande
and caused Tapie to lose his comfortable relationships with the government
causing him to undergo a variety of experimental treatments in France and Belgium
as well as receive acupuncture to reduce the effects of chemotherapy
including his Parisian mansion L’Hôtel de Cavoye and his controlling stake in the regional La Provence newspaper
was found guilty of negligence for her role in the payout
She would go on to preside as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund from 2011 to 2019
before becoming the President of the European Central Bank
a position that she still holds to this date
On April 4, 2021, Tapie and his wife Dominique were attacked in a home burglary in the Paris suburb of Combs-la-Ville
Four men slipped past the security guards in the early hours of Sunday morning
Dominique received medical attention after suffering facial injuries
but Bernard refused to go to the hospital after being hit over the head with a club
Bande de lâches que vous êtes 😡😡 Je ne vous souhaite pas que ça arrive à vos parents un jour. Regardez-vous dans un miroir et osez dire que vous n’avez pas honte de votre ignominie. J’espère que la police vous retrouvera avant moi 😡😡 pic.twitter.com/AnGliMNsYN
— Stéphane Tapie (@TapieStephane) April 5, 2021
After previously postponing the trial due to health problems
Tapie and his longtime lawyer Maurice Lantourne are back in the Paris Court of Appeal and to fight charges of fraud and embezzlement of public funds
continuing a legal battle that has waged on for nearly thirty years and that shows no signs of stopping yet
He is accused of using his cozy relationship at the Élysée Palace to obtain a private tribunal and ensure a positive verdict that saw him receive a hefty payout
Five and a half years after being ordered to return the compensation package, Tapie has not yet refunded a dime, according to Jean-Pierre Martel, the lawyer in charge of settling the outstanding debts to Crédit Lyonnais. In fact, due to interest and other fees, Tapie’s debt has ballooned to €586 million
and his wide array of assets would only cover half of that amount
The trial must reach its conclusion by no later than June 14
as the prosecutors attempt to win a five-year prison sentence for the embattled businessman
The illness has not only spread to his skin and esophagus
Bernard Tapie will have run his race and pass into another dimension
either fading into a new afterlife or disintegrating into the soil and air
But the roots of his actions continue to impact football more than three decades after taking charge of Marseille
A tycoon with the mentality of Gordon Gekko
and the manipulation of the truth of Donald Trump
who was willing to win at all costs and bulldoze his way into power and fame
one thing’s for certain: he serves as a mirror for football’s incessant greed