Judith Kerr: Hitler, The Tiger and Me or Whiling Away the Hours #3

It's a long way from Australia to Europe and there are many hours to fill on a plane. I always mean to read a book, but then find it difficult to concentrate. Last time I watched some interesting movies on the way there and on the way back. I'm still searching for the Populaire DVD and soundtrack- it has been infuriatingly unavailable for me. This time I couldn't find any movie to tempt me enough among the hundreds on offer, but trawling through the inflight menu I found a documentary on children's book author Judith Kerr- Hitler, the Tiger and Me.

I ended up watching it three times before I saw it all the way through, with all the dozing off, and managed to finish it just a few minutes before we finally landed at CDG. It was a fascinating documentary though and is well worth searching out. Thanks youtube.

Judith Kerr is an extraordinary woman. 90 years old, she is spry, active and happy. She still works and walks every day. Judith was born in Berlin, her father Alfred Kerr was a leading Jewish intellectual, writer and theatre critic. He campaigned against the Nazis and was friends with Einstein. Rather unsurprisingly he was on the Nazi death list and the family fled to Zurich the day before Hitler took power in 1933. They were poor refugees in Paris for a time before arriving in the UK  in 1936.

Judith Kerr has an extraordinary memory. She remembers drawing some of her childhood drawings that her mother took with the family when they fled from Berlin. Young Judith worked as a textile designer, training for the children's illustrator she was to become.

Judith Kerr is a beautiful, joyous woman. She wrote possibly her most famous book, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, after seeing "that awful film" -The Sound of Music, which didn't reflect the reality Judith experienced during the war.

Widowed 7 years ago Judith is an example of a rather extraordinary old age. It was almost alarming to see her charge up the stairs to her work desk. Judith has used the same bench for 40 years, and all her work has been done there. All her work has been biographical. It was interesting to hear her discuss her artistic inspirations- jungles from Rousseau, and the flying couples of Marc Chagall seen in her book My Henry (now on the TBR).

Many great names sing her praises- Michael Rosen, Lauren Child, Michael Morpurgo.

"The danger she has been through lie under the surface of her fiction. Yet she creates a warm, safe world we can all respond to."

Despite Hitler, the Tiger and Me dealing with the Holocaust, bereavements, deprivations and other life troubles, it is ultimately uplifting to watch the inimitable Judith Kerr. We see her revisit her childhood home, her local train station Grunewald is now a memorial,  and it is very moving.

We owe it to them to make something of our lives. What they wouldn't have done for just a little of what we've had. 

Judith took her positive attitude from her father who had a "great talent for happiness".

I feel the same as I did then because I wanted to draw things, and look at things because I thought the world was very beautiful. Which I do more than ever now, because one does when one is very old. 

And yet another book for the TBR- Judith Kerr's Creatures- A Celebration of the Life and Work of Judith Kerr released last year. See some great photos at The Guardian here.

Salon du Chocolat Fashion Show

I was very excited to be in Paris in October, particularly as the annual Salon du Chocolat is on at that time. I'd seen posts on Parisbreakfasts for too many years for the timing to be accidental... One of the highlights is the twice daily fashion show (3pm and 5pm), a true spectacle which always makes news around the world.

This was the 3pm show on Thursday 30 October. It was surprisingly exciting to be there for it. There was a great vibe, good music, and the crowd just loved it.

This creation was impressive but rather unwieldy

I really liked the lampshade girl
but couldn't ever manage to get a clear shot of her

It turned out the 5pm show was different! I hadn't been planning to watch it, but then I had to watch it too. 

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog 

Saint Louis

This week I had an unexpected Parisian pleasure when I went along to the Saint Louis exhibition at The Conciergerie. It's a completely amazing exhibition brought together to commemorate the 800th anniversary of Louis' birth.

I wasn't aware of the exhibition before I left Australia, but began seeing posters everywhere as soon as I arrived in Paris, and was immediately keen to go.

It's on pretty much every bus

Then I found a brochure listing tours in English, and I knew I would go. Indeed I felt compelled to go. I'm so glad that I did. It was fascinating, I learnt so much, and saw so much really cool stuff.

Saint Louis, more likely known as Louis IX to the English speaking world, became king when his father Louis XIII the Lion died when he was 12. His mother, Blanche de Castile, a Spanish princess, ruled as Regent until Louis came of age at 20. He was to be King of France until his death in 1270. He was apparently very handsome.

The most famous statue of Louis,
or possibly his grandson- if only he still had hands we'd know
early 14th century, from Normandie

Louis was extremely religious man. He wore a (goat) hair shirt, and liked to be whipped so that he could suffer as Jesus did. They were made of sterner stuff in the 13th century.

Louis's shirt, blood spattered

Louis' whip- the cause of the blood spattering

The first section of the exhibition is about the myth and legend of Saint Louis, canonised a mere 27 years after his death. The cult of Saint Louis became very popular in the 18th century, and there were many paintings done at that time. Saint Louis died in Africa, and his body was boiled in vinegar to allow the transport back to France. He was initially interred at the Basilica of Saint Denis.

Later sections show more of Louis and his times. Thirteenth century France was the wealthiest and most populous country in Europe, before the many troubles of the 14th century- plague and the 100 year war. Saint Louis Day (August 25) was the French national day in pre-Revolutionary times. There are many astonishing paintings, sculptures, artefacts, bibles on display.

They use spooky gothic lighting too

Saint Louis accompanied by his mother
Blanche de Castille

Louis landing in Egypt for the start
of his 6 year crusade

St Louis delivering justice under an oak tree at Vincennes
Stained Glass from 1841

It had never occurred to me that bible illustrations informed stained glass windows, but it makes sense. I did know that the windows formed a visual instructive medium for the illiterate masses.

La Reine Blanche de Castille freeing the prisoners
Detail of a painting from 1821

The original charter proclaiming Saint Chapelle from 1246

Boiling folks in hell
Bourges, about 1240

Saint Louis
Conciergerie
8 October 2014- 11 January 2015

Group tours in English conducted twice a week, on selected Monday and Friday mornings at 10.30am
November 3, 17, 21, 24, 28 (also November 7 at 14.30)
December 1, 5, 8, 12, 15
January 2

Our guide from the Centre Des Monuments Nationaux was extremely knowledgeable. We were particularly lucky and had a private tour for the two of us! I think the exhibition would be great without an English speaking guide, if you can't make one of the tours. (Tours 15 euros, regular admission 12.50 = bargain). There's a great free brochure at the entry available in English (or French).

Halloween on the streets of Paris

I wasn't really expecting to see much in the way of Halloween on the streets of Paris. Indeed, as an Australian, I hadn't actually thought of it. I was surprised to see any actually.

Georges Larnicol had heaps.

Patrick Roger just a little. And Perhaps just autumnal?

Make Up Forever, 5 Rue des Francs Bourgeouis 75004 was decked out in glittery pumpkin.

Tabio sock shops were kitted out.

Most surprising was the medical supply place on Rue Danton, with Halloween soup.

And other things.

It could turn up anywhere. In BHV where Patisseries des Reves was holding a Halloween themed sable decorating workshop for the kiddies. 

The cake decorating competition at Salon du Chocolat.

We visited the dog cemetery at Asnieres-sur-Seine on the morning of Halloween, and was very surprised to see a grave decorated for Halloween. 

Perhaps not surprising to see  a black cat.

I think perhaps the kids had dressed up for school. I guess it would be impossible to go trick or treating here with everyone living in apartment buildings with access codes on the front doors. 

Our dinner at the rather amazing Art Kitchen Studio even had added Spiderman.

Saturday Snapshot is a wonderful weekly meme
 now hosted by WestMetroMommy