French? Do you even know about French before ? If you guys
don’t know about French Culture, allow me to share a story about the it ?
What is France ?
- · French is the second most commonly-taught second language in the world (after English).· The name “France” comes from the Latin Francia, which means “land or kingdom of the Franks.”· Historically, French culture was influenced by Celtic and Gallo-Roman cultures as well as the Franks, a Germanic tribe. France was initially defined as the western area of Germany known as Rhineland but it later came to refer to a territory that was known as Gaul during the Iron Age and Roman era.
- · France’s flag has three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), white, and red. Known as Le Drapeau Tricolore (French Tricolours), the origin of the flag dates to 1790 and the French Revolution when the “ancient French color” of white was combined with the blue and red colours of the Paris militia.
RELIGION
Catholicism is the predominant
religion of France. In a survey by the French Institute of Public Opinion
(IFOP), about 41.6 million people identified themselves as Roman Catholic.
According to a 2010 survey by the Pew Research Center, 4.7 million people are
Muslim. Pew estimated that the Jewish population was 310,000; there were
280,000 Buddhists and 30,000 Hindus. Nearly 18 million people practiced folk
religions, "other" religions or no religion
("unaffiliated").
FESTIVAL
FESTIVAL
- July 14: Bastille Day
A day of national celebration for the French, this public holiday commemorates
the day that Parisian commoners and peasants stormed the fortress and prison of
Bastille, provoking events that would end the monarchy and usher in the age of
liberty, fraternity and equality. There are celebrations all over France but
the place to be is the capital. Celebrations start in Paris on the night of 13
July, when many fire stations have all-night parties. Next day there’s a
traditional military parade along the Champs Elysees and there is a festival
atmosphere throughout the day, finishing with the city night-sky turned bright
by magnificent and noisy fireworks shows. Festivities last until the late
hours.
- Early December: Feast of St. Nicholas, Nancy
- Each year, several countries in Europe celebrate the feast of Saint Nicholas in December. In Nancy, France, the festival is growing in popularity and has been transformed into a fairytale, taking you in to the legendary and magical world of Saint Nicholas. An equestrian parade, a craft market, exhibitions, theatrical performances and concerts are also on the agenda, not to mention a spectacular firework display.
- July: Festival of Avignon
The annual Festival d’Avignon is
one of France’s oldest and most famous festivals. Every year there are around
40 different shows in venues around the city, both French and non-French, in a
variety of art forms – theatre, dance, music and cinema, many of them world or
French premieres.
- December 5 to 8: The Festival of Lights, Lyon
France expresses gratitude towards Mary, mother
of Jesus, on 8 December each year. This uniquely Lyonnaise tradition dictates
that every house place candles along the outside of all the windows to produce
a spectacular effect throughout the streets. With over four million tourists
coming to Lyon for this event, La Fête des Lumières includes
other activities based on light and usually lasts four days, with the peak of
activity occurring on 8 December.
FOOD
When it's come about food, it being like wow because in France, there is
a distinctive culture of French food that is undeniable. It is accompanied with
pride, exclusive ingredients and techniques, a world renowned culinary school
and those special regions that are known for one particular kind of food.
Famous Food in France
There are some foods and
beverages that are quintessentially. You may find them,all over
the world. You will always associate these foods with France.
- · Coq au vin -- is a chicken frickasee cooked in red wine with mushrooms and sometimes garlic.
- · Crêpes -- is a very flat pancake typically stuffed with fruit or cream.
- Baguette-- is a long French bread loaf.
- Chocolate mousse--this lighter than air dessert originated in France
Besides, French dishes are
known for their complex, and rich flavors. Most French people eat bread, wine
and cheese daily.
CLOTHES
French
National Clothing
- Because France is divided into many different regions there is actually no national dress. Each French region has their own traditional dress and they are very different from each other; it seems, that the only thing they have in common is that men wear pants, women skirts and both wear hats of different styles. Nowadays, traditional regional costumes are just worn at festivals and celebrations. In Alsace, women may be seen in white, lace-trimmed blouses and aprons decorated with colourful flowers. Women's costumes in Normandy include white, flared bonnets and dresses with wide, elbow-length sleeves.
- Regional costumes are based on late 19th century rural clothing. It is difficult to describe a traditional national dress because as we told you later there is no such thing, however the majority of them include the following garments.
MEN
- It is believed that their clothes were similar to those of the Indians.
- Chemise: A knee length cotton or linen shirt, considered to be an undergarment
- Culottes or Breech cloth: A pair of knee length pants, usually wool or linen, which button around the knees, or a cloth worn over the loins.
- Hose: A pair of cotton or wool socks, knee hig
- Mitasses : A pair of protective garters worn over the lower legs, made of leather or wool, which button to the breeches or tie to a belt
- Guillette : Small short vest usually without sleeves, worn over the Chemise.Capote or Justacorp
- Heavy coat with large cuffs worn over all else, kind of like a suit coat
WOMAN
- Without exception they all wear caps, while their skirts are scarcely down the middle of their legs. Their shoes are often like those of the Finnish women, but are sometimes provided with heels. They have a silver cross hanging down the breast.
- Jupon: A garment very similar to a skirt, only shorter. Many of these could be worn at once to show wealth and status.
- Chemise: An underskirt or shift worn under all of the outer petticoats and the jupon.
- Mantelet: A short women's waistcoat, worn with the jupon and chemise.
GAMES
There
are several traditional games that are typically only played by children who
live in France or who are of French descent, and most American children have
probably never heard of them. Upon closer inspection, however, we can see
several similarities between these traditional French children's games and their
American counterparts.
Escargot
- Escargot is one of the traditional European childrens games from which American hopscotch draws inspiration.
- Instead of a linear diagram, French children draw the board in the shape of a giant snail, or an "escargot" in French, with 15 to 20 numbered squares leading towards the blank center square.
- As the game progresses and players claim more territories, the journey to and from the center square becomes more challenging and ends when it is impossible for players to hop to the center square, with the winner claiming the most spaces.
Petanque
- Petanque is a traditional French game loved by children and adults alike that is also known as boules and resembles British lawn bowling or American horseshoes. Petanque requires specific metals balls and a sandy surface to play, as each player attempts to toss his or her ball closest to the target ball. Experienced players take great care in selecting a metal ball, or boule, and shooters often choose lighter balls to better their chances in throwing a carer,the perfect and highly admired shot where a players boule remains in place after knocking out an opponents ball out of the game.
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