America Honors Le Puy du Fou
Those of you who have followed GalliaWatch for a while know that the department of la Vendée, in western France, is one of the very few areas of the country to remain strongly attached to its heritage and to the Church. La Vendée, formerly called Bas-Poitou was the scene of an extended conflict between revolutionaries and royalists from 1793 to 1795. The details of this conflict are massive and cannot be summarized here and French historians have been waging wars among themselves over the causes and the number of fatalities for decades. There is a Wikipedia page on the war.
In addition to the unique place held by la Vendée in French history, you may remember that the general councillor of the department was, until recently, Philippe de Villiers, who was also a presidential candidate in 2007. His platform was similar to that of Jean-Marie Le Pen who often accused him of plagiarizing, but his style was different, his patriotism unquestioned and his loyalty to the Church resolute. He lacked voters throughout the country, but he was popular at home in la Vendée.
His greatest accomplishment as general councillor of la Vendée was the construction of an historical theme park called le Puy du Fou, in the city of Les Épesses, that has become the most popular theme park in France after Disneyland, Paris. It is this theme park that has been awarded the Thea Classic Award from the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association). The park is divided into two independent attractions: Le Grand Parc and a nighttime spectacular called Cinéscénie. An English-language article posted at Lighting and Sound America provides more information.
Nouvelles de France has the story in French, as well as some ungracious comments from an anti-American reader:
Le Puy du Fou received the prize for the best "classic theme park" (Thea Classic Award) from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) during the annual meeting that took place from November 14 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. It's the first time that a French park has received this award. It's creator, Philippe de Villiers praised the "worldwide recognition" and "the crowning achievement of a wonderful enterprise." "The full-time employees of Puy du Fou (110 persons) all drank to it." He explained to the local paper Ouest France that this was "the Oscar of Oscars", "the ultimate star for a restaurant". The prize will be awarded officially to the Puy du Fou team on March 17, 2012 in Los Angeles.
Le Puy du Fou beat its own record during the 2011 season with more than 1,495,000 visitors, of whom 370,000 visited the Cinéscénie, which celebrated this year its 10 millionth spectator.
As I said, one reader was not impressed. Calling himself "Français de race" (racially French) he complains, and others reply:
- You certainly aren't going to feel pride in receiving a Yankee award!
- Why not? Just as we would be happy if it were Belgian, Russian or Chinese…
- Because they are not of the French race. They cannot judge the quality of our cultural sites. They don't have it in their blood. Philippe de Villiers should have only disdain for this vile flattery.
- On the contrary, they don't have our history, our traditions, and they feel the lack. They look with envy and admiration at what too many among us scorn and forget…
- Well, I find that it looks like a vassal going to be dubbed by his suzerain. It's humiliating.
- Français de race, are you a little left-wing provocateur who has come to make remarks that could discredit the blog, even bring about a lawsuit?
Or are you simply convinced of what you say? I have my own thoughts on this, but I'll let you answer. In all honesty, of course!
- Really? Because everybody finds that going to be dubbed in the USA is normal, I'm the one who discredits! How can the culturally analphabetic discern points to anyone? This is a servile masquerade that Villiers got himself into.
Thanks for calling me a leftist. I always enjoy that…
- Analphabetic? And the percentage of Nobel prizes? The reputation of their universities?
Note: The cracks made by "Français de race" sound phony to me, for many reasons. Disguised as a patriot, he implies that Villiers is a chump, but it sounds more as if he hates Villiers for his success. This would seem to imply he is a leftist. Or is he playing a game? Who knows?
The image below shows the recreation at Puy du Fou of the circus games performed by the Gauls for the Roman governor:
In the 3rd century A.D., there was increasing discontent among the Gallic people toward their Roman occupiers. In the magnificent Gallo-Roman Stadium, the atmosphere is charged; the Gauls are enraged as they face the governor on his raised platform, and altercations ensue as the crowd is moved to one side. Booing and jeering of the governor increase as he overlooks the sentencing of several prisoners in the center of the arena. To be spared the death penalty, they must win the circus games that are about to begin, while the governor does everything he can to make sure they do not. Without the support of the stadium spectators, the prisoners cannot win. A succession of gladiator fights, wildcat wrestling, chariot races, and exotic animal parades commence. The Romans and Gauls each try to win the favor of the stadium spectators.
From the IAAPA website.
Labels: Culture, French-American Relations, Philippe de Villiers, Puy-du-Fou, United States, Vendée
posted by tiberge @ 12:28 AM
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French culture
Merry Christmas, PS
The PS won't honor the elderly with Christmas gifts and a meal this Christmas. Because that's the way it is.
http://www.fdesouche.com/261085-le-ps-supprime-les-colis-de-noel-aux-personnes-agees-cest-peut-etre-singulier-mais-cest-comme-ca
On the other hand, a series of documentaries is talking about all the French parties having offshore accounts. - Also PS?
Regarding the anti-Americanism
The European press is a lot to blame for this. It has been going on for more than forty years. Those French and other Europeans who only had access to their local and national press have been brainwashed into knowing what they have been told through this leftist press.
To some extent, I was lightly surprised by a documentary on Arte on Friday, which showed plain ordinary Canadians in the cedar business, chopping timber. The TV team followed these workers, a small business owner, with his employees and the problems they are facing.
Just one of those, driving to the store for a spare part to the machine, only to find that the store had shut due to the crisis, so he had to drive to the next town to find the spare part.
Since I didn't follow from the beginning I can't tell if it was biased, but from what I saw, I couldn't detect any bias.
Now, I realize they were Canadians, and not Americans from USA. Maybe that's why they were portrayed as normal, because they were Canadians? Could the ARTE team have made the same documentary about Americans?
"Black Gold", Jean Jacques Annaud
Film Festifal in Qatar. Antonio Banderas
- You know, Spain was ruled by muslims for eight hundre years. It can still be seen in the food, etc.
I feel very proud, says Antonio Banderas at the festival in Qatar.
(France2)
Another propaganda project. How will this influence the European publics?
But could it influence the Arab publics in any positive way?
I really don't see the big deal about receiving an American award, or a French film receiving an Oscar (unless it is being rewarded for conforming to American multi-culturalism). From a creative and business perspective, it's something to be proud of for Villiers, his team, and the Vendée. Some nuts will make an issue of this, mostly from the lunatic fringe of the Right, unless this guy was indeed a masquerading Leftist with another agenda. Marine and those who think like her would certainly not make an issue of this. It actually helps the mainstream perception of Villiers I think, though he seems to have given up on national politics.
it's a troll!
there are many americans of european origin.
Regarding the anti-Americanism
The European press is a lot to blame for this. It has been going on for more than forty years. Those French and other Europeans who only had access to their local and national press have been brainwashed into knowing what they have been told through this leftist press.
USA and NATO attacked non-muslims in the Balkans, they've helped the islamic genocide against Serbs in Kosovo, they took Kosovo from Serbs to give it to muslims. USA has pushed for turkey admission to the European Union. USA has given support to islamists groups who harrass, rape, beat, kill women.
*
There are Americans making documentaries against European culture and for islam, the documentaries are aired on several TV channels (Odissey,
National Geographic,
Discovery Channel,
History Channel,
etc.)
Regarding the anti-Americanism
The European press is a lot to blame for this. It has been going on for more than forty years. Those French and other Europeans who only had access to their local and national press have been brainwashed into knowing what they have been told through this leftist press.
private message to tiberge:
neo pagans are posting this news article on their blogs:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2067945/Attack-ancient-pagan-stone-circle-investigated-police-fears-religious-hate-crime.html#ixzz1fLGlYfFV
the comments are about blaming the christians.
my comments were censored.
@ anonymous
Some of the comments to the article on pagan stone circles suggest that these particular stone formations are not authentic, but recent fabrications for the pagans at the university. Even if they are authentic, if they have great historic value then no one should be allowed near them. The fact that they are the scene of parties that leave their garbage behind indicates they have no real historic value.
But the existence of neo-pagan movements is one more sign of the rejection by some Westerners of both Judaism and Christianity. While Islam, neo-paganism and atheism are not condemned by the main-stream media and politicians, Christianity is slowly but surely being discredited and disabled as a guiding moral force. This may be temporary or permanent, we don't know.
Yes its a great site - well worth visiting if you are on holiday. Real gladiator arena. I think you can get English translation headphones but the whole place is run in French as it is based on the various stages in the history of France which gives you a real feel for being in France.
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