Photography of Autria

I'm passionate with photography and this year I really enjoyed the Austrian Landscape. Here are the picture I took in Graz, in Allstat and on the top of the Dachstein.

If you want see more of my photography, click on the link below !

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80251054@N02/

Culture project week

At the beginning of this week, I attend 9 presentations. As I don't want make a catalogue of all the presentation I saw, I would only write about my favorite. I'm really interesting by the feminist story so I was quite seduce by the presentation of Stefanie Gigler about Rosie the Riveter.

Rosie the Riveter was a icon in the Second World War to recruit women for the Army/workforce. Her image was designed by Norman Rockwell, a famous American illustrator at the time. “Rosie the Riveter,” star of this government campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for the munitions industry.

Thanks to this great presentation, I learned more about the role of women before and during the Second War World. I though the conclusion was also very relevant, because Stefanie explained what happened to the women AFTER the war : they were back to their housewives lives but that was still a big step for the feminist movement and for the women emancipation.

All in all, Stephanie had clearly and smartly presented this topic. The angle she chose was very attractive and I learned some relevant point about how the American had led the Second  World War.

West Side Story in the Opera of Graz

Last night, I was in the Opera of Graz to see the musical "West Side Story". When I was 11 my mother had forced me to watch this classical Musical that I found truly endless. Though, I loved the songs, like "I Feel Pretty", "America", "Somewhere" and "Cool".

I loved the performance of West Side Story at the opera: the actors played very well, danced beautifully and above all their voices were sublime. In addition, the Show was much shorter than the film, which I enjoyed. The actors spoke a rather understandable German. Overall, I really enjoyed. 
I was just disappointed with the performance of the song "America" ​​which is normally a boy-girl duo who was here interpreted by girls.

http://www.oper-graz.com/upload/videos/568_320_1314_WSSWA14_netstream_HD_web.mp4

American TV VS. French TV

To write this article, I was inspired by a video of a U.S. "Youtuber" passionate by France. You will have his views on American television and my perspective on French television.

In America, there are thousands of channels. This is too much, you never know what watching. The U.S. are the professional of zapping. Unfortunately, we can say that "too many choices kills the choice." Watch TV in the United States is more seeking what you will watch rather than really watch something. In addition, the ads are terrible and relentless: 10 minutes of program and 20 minutes of advertising. Once the program starts to be interesting, it is cut by an advertisement.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM2Mu6q0lgE

In France, we have rules for advertising: the duration is limited and everyone isn't allowed to do add. Doctors, lawyers, politicians can't make advertising. In his video, the "Youtuber" mocks advertisements lawyers in America: "You thing your wife is to big ? You don't want to talk with her anymore ? For $ 500 I'll take care of your divorce in the shortest time". This kind of advertising is unthinkable in France.

In France we have fewer channels. These channels broadcast many live show and a lot of games. Information takes an important place in the program, they even have channel dedicated to the non-stop information. In terms of French series, they are simply lousy.

Personally, I never watched a lot of TV in France so in Austria, I don't miss TV at all. Nevertheless, there is a show that I like a lot and I am watching every day. This is "Le Petit Journal" of Yann Barthes. This is a very humorous show which "dissect" the news and mocks the Politian and the journalist. For example, during the last election of Barack Obama, the team of "Le Petit Journal" had waved a white giant banner, on which was written "Cassoulet". This image was broadcast on ABC and American journalists have attempted to analyze the meaning while it was just a absurd joke:  the Cassoulet is a dish from the south of France.

Some french strangeness...

What we need to do and not do in France when we invited...

DON'T's

When you're invited to someone's place, you always have to bring something, like chocolate, wine or flower. But you must never come empty-handed, because it's very rude. So when you are invited to someone, do not forget to bring something!

The French love their cheese! But beware! Don't eat it just like salami or ham. There is a special kind to cut it. If you don't do this correctly, then the other Frenchmen will become evil!

Furthermore, the French love their wine! Everywhere in France, you ABSOLUTLY CAN'T put water into a glass of wine.Wine is sacred ! Personnaly, I don't even understand how Austrian can just have the idea to mix water and wine. Seriouly, drink grap juice in this case !

DO's

If you're invited, for example, at 8:00 pm, don't be ponctual. It's polite arriving 10-15 minutes late, so guests have the time to be ready.

Also if you don't know the other person, you still can kiss them on the cheek! Between men, they shake hands. But when you meet a woman, then they kiss on the cheek (2 times at least, sometime 3 or 4 in certain part of France).

Another thing to know:  in France it's forbidden to cut the salad. In preparation, it's one sheet and we never break it into small pieces. Then, when it's on the plate, don't cut it ! We fold the salad leaf with a fork, and then eat it!