In this second part of my interview with Manolo we will talk about his confrérie (a society of people who get together to perpetuate a tradition, a skill): la Confrérie des amateurs de Sagarno de la Bidassoa. This society is currently under process to be part of the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list. Learn the reasons behind the decline then the revival of the art of making “vin de pomme”, the types of apples used for the process, the amount of wine produced by the fellowship. You’ll also find out why drinking wine gives you headaches! Thank you Mike for putting me in touch with … Read More →

Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard, even while becoming the other of a very premature baby with a disability and later on resuming her studies and taking up three courses in three different universities the same year at age... 40. She founded an association to help orphans in Vietnam (where her background is), the food bank of New … Read More →

Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard, even while becoming the other of a very premature baby with a disability and later on resuming her studies and taking up three courses in three different universities the same year at age... 40. She founded an association to help orphans in Vietnam (where her background is), the food bank of New … Read More →

Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards. Vocab List courbe (nf) = curve donner le cafard = to make (sb) sad / depressed flasher (sur…) = to fall (for…) lauréat,e (n) = prizewinner s'écailler = to flake / chip / peel off Links and Resources https://www.guytrinquet.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guytrinquet.art/ Instagram: @guytrinquetart … Read More →

Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards. Vocab List croquis (nm) = sketch, rough outline, first draft déceler = to detect, to spot ébauche (nf) = sketch, rough outline, first draft être tenu(e) de (faire quelque chose) = to be required / bound (to do sth) gosse (n) = kid gribouillage (nm) = scribble grimper = to climb passer (ça passe) = to be acceptable, to be admissible subjuguer = to captivate, to enthrall, to conquer tiquer = to twitch, to cringe toile (nf) = canvas vente … Read More →

In the second part of this interview with Belgian consul Pierre Steverlynck, we discuss the languages he speaks at home and at work - since Belgium is a multilingual country. You'll learn the difference between an ambassy and a consulate, what a "carte d'identité" may be used for (I know that not all countries have one such thing). Also find out how one becomes a diplomat. And, you'll hear about the "flying kit", a really cool system for expats living on faraway islands! Vocab List avancée sociale (nf) = advance, progress chauvin,e (adj) = chauvinistic, partisan concours (nm) = competitive … Read More →