FRANCE Today
ATTACK: The Aftermath An inside look at how those who suffered from the terrorist attacks on Paris are mourning, healing, and ready to fight just one week after the tragic event.
Also Inside: A Brief Look into our History
CONTENTS DECEMBER 2015 VOLUME 79, NO. 11
FEATURES
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Property for sale in Villelongue dels Monts.
Gallery Exhibition Inside Look
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Headline
ATTACK: The Aftermath
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“NOT AFRAID” Since the Nov. 13 attacks, There has been a burst of red white and blue, or as we say, bleu, blanc, rouge, all over the French capital. “What is happening, including the spontaneous singing of the Marseillaise is upending everything,” says Mellul. “Usually these were symbols associated with the far right, and they were not politically correct. Now they are cool.” The solidarity on display recently was not evident back in January when gunmen attacked the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a kosher supermarket, killing 17 people. Those attacks targeted against certain groups — the magazine staff and Jews — and in the aftermath there were some divisions in France.
But the 130 people killed this month belonged to every religion, ethnicity and walk of life. They were together, enjoying a Friday night in a melting pot neighborhood of Paris. The only thing most of them had in common was that they were young. The attack was perceived as an assault on everyone and on the French way of living. “We have to reaffirm that we belong to the Republic,” he says. “To be French and not to hide it. The flag is not for extremists, it’s not related to a particular political party. It belongs to all of us.” At the Doublet flag factory, owner Luc Doublet told French radio his machines have been running all night to churn out enough flag. The French flag has been imbued with new values, beyond nationalism or victory in sports, it symbolizes all of France enjoying life together.
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Marine Le Pen The
Interview: Post Attacks
French Politician Blasts Other Politicians Who Refuse to Acknowledge Terrorists are Mulims
During a television interview about the recent terror attacks, politician Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Front party in France, went off on other politicians who refuse to identify Muslim terrorists for what they are. One of the things that set her off in this exchange was when the anchor suggested that the recent attacks in France were perpetrated by unstable lone wolves who were not Islamic. Le Pen responded by saying that Islam attracts weak minds and the fact that the attacker shouted, ‘Allah hu Akbar’ should be seen for what it is – evidence. That is true leadership in response to Islamic terrorism that no one wants to acknowledge. Unlike this, from Australia’s Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who was telling people the motive of a terrorist hostage-taker with an Islamic flag in the window of the Cafe he took over, was unknown. In the wake of these attacks, anyone who refuses to identify them as Islamic is in serious denial. The ISIS manifesto calls for increased attacks in the U.S., Canada, and Europe (yes, that includes France). What political cowards don’t understand is that there is a zeitgeist waiting to be tapped into across all of western civilization. The tinderbox of righteous indignation is just waiting to be set alight. The rise of politicians like Le Pen and Geert Wilders in recent years demonstrates it.
THE
FRENCH
France is a country in Western Europe, roughly hexagonal in shape. It is bordered by the English Channel, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. The country of France emerged from the fragmentation of the larger Carolingian empire, when Hugh Capet became King of West Francia in 987. This kingdom consolidated power and expanded territorially, becoming known as “France”. Early wars were fought over land with English monarchs, then against the Habsburgs, especially after the latter inherited Spain and appeared to surround France. French royal power reached its peak with the reign of Louis XIV (1642 – 1715),
known as the Sun King, and French culture dominated Europe. Royal power collapsed fairly quickly after
HISTORY est. 1959
established a republic. This was soon usurped by a general called Napoleon, and the ensuing Napoleonic Wars saw France first militarily dominate Europe, then be defeated.
Louis XIV and within a century France experienced the French Revolution, which began in 1789, overthrew Louis XVI and
The monarchy was restored, but instability followed and a second republic, second empire and third republic followed in the nineteenth century. The early twentieth century was marked by two German invasions, in 1914 and 1940, and a return to a democratc republic after liberation. France is currently in its Fifth Republic, established in 1959.
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The Light at the End
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Gallery EHIBITION COMING IN MAY 2016 FEATURING OUR AUTHOR: CHLOE HELMS
Inside Look:
Chloe Helms
As a young girl Chloe was interested in the journalism and the arts. She was originally born in Savannah, Georgia to Dawn and Alex Helms and was the oldest of three siblings. At the age of eight she moved to her West Deptford, New Jersey where she attended high school as well as Rowan University as an art major and art history minor. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in the arts she moved to France where she attended Paris College of Art and received her Master’s in Communications and Fine Arts. She then began an internship at L ’Express where she worked up until her job at France Today.
Chloe fell in love with France as a little girl who traveled here frequently with her family. She was intrigued by the culture and emerced herself in the history books; learning about the people, places, and practices of French society. “Yes, I may have been born a United States citizen and I love my country, but now I have two countries to love.” said Chloe of her permanent residency in Paris, France.
Learn more about our authors and our magazine at www.francetoday.com.