French Celebrations

8/2/2019 French Celebrations

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FRENCH CELEBRATIONSFRENCH CELEBRATIONS


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WARMING UPWARMING UP

y What do you know about french culture?

y Have you ever been in France?

y Do you know any french habits?

y Do you know or hear about any frenchcelebration?

y Do you think french special dates are verydifferent from the ones you celebrate in your

country or culture?y Do you know any tradition related to this

celebrations?


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LA CHANDELEURLA CHANDELEUR(FRENCH CANDLEMAS)(FRENCH CANDLEMAS)


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The Catholic holiday ofThe Catholic holiday of CandlemasCandlemas, on, on

2 February, is a feast to commemorate2 February, is a feast to commemoratethe purification of the Virgin Mary andthe purification of the Virgin Mary andthe presentation of baby Jesus in thethe presentation of baby Jesus in the

templetemple

In France, this holiday is called laIn France, this holiday is called laChandeleurChandeleur, Fte de la, Fte de la LumireLumire or jouror jour

des crpes.des crpes.


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The term "The term "CandlemasCandlemas" was" was

derived from the Latin ritual ofderived from the Latin ritual oflighting candles at midnight tolighting candles at midnight to

symbolize purification. Thesymbolize purification. The

original event involved theoriginal event involved theobservance of the Holy Familyobservance of the Holy Family


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The term "Fte de laThe term "Fte de la LumireLumire" refers" refersto the lighting of blessed candles as ato the lighting of blessed candles as aform of remembering Jesus Christform of remembering Jesus Christ

who is the "Light of theWorld." Thiswho is the "Light of theWorld." This

lighting of blessed candles at homeslighting of blessed candles at homesfor protection continues to thisfor protection continues to thisday in France.day in France.


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In relation to why LaIn relation to why La ChandeleurChandeleur is alsois alsocalled Jour des crpes, the French (usedcalled Jour des crpes, the French (used

to)pray for good harvest and prosperity forto)pray for good harvest and prosperity forevery home and family. All excess flour wasevery home and family. All excess flour wasused to make crpes. These pancakes are aused to make crpes. These pancakes are a

symbol of prosperity in France. Farmerssymbol of prosperity in France. Farmersbelieve(d) that wheat will grow better ifbelieve(d) that wheat will grow better ifmany crpes were made. Turning themany crpes were made. Turning the

celebration into a sort of revelry, childrencelebration into a sort of revelry, childrenengage in crpeengage in crpe--throwing games duringthrowing games during

this day.this day.


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Not only do the French eat a lot ofNot only do the French eat a lot of

crpes oncrpes on ChandeleurChandeleur, but they, but theyalso do a bit of fortune tellingalso do a bit of fortune tellingwhile making them. It iswhile making them. It is

traditional to hold a coin in yourtraditional to hold a coin in yourwriting hand and a crpe pan inwriting hand and a crpe pan inthe other, and flip the crpe intothe other, and flip the crpe into

the air. If you manage to catch thethe air. If you manage to catch the

crpe in the pan, your family willcrpe in the pan, your family willbe prosperousbe prosperousfor the rest of the year.for the rest of the year.


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The way by which this is done isThe way by which this is done is

similar to a procession, with thesimilar to a procession, with theparticipation of all members ofparticipation of all members ofthe family.the family.

The following year, the coin isThe following year, the coin is

given to the poor.given to the poor.


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Crpes certainly are an important part ofCrpes certainly are an important part ofthe French celebration ofthe French celebration of CandlemasCandlemas..

One reason for this is that crpes, to theOne reason for this is that crpes, to theFrench, symbolize the sun, which seems toFrench, symbolize the sun, which seems tobe absent in their lives during this time ofbe absent in their lives during this time ofthe year.the year.

In addition, French proverbs pertaining toIn addition, French proverbs pertaining tothe occasion come out prominently duringthe occasion come out prominently duringthis day; here are just a few:this day; here are just a few:


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la la ChandeleurChandeleur,, l'hiverl'hiver cessecesse ouou reprendreprend vigueurvigueur

OnOn CandlemasCandlemas,, winterwinter endsends oror strengthensstrengthens

la la ChandeleurChandeleur, le, le jourjour crotcrot dede deuxdeux heuresheures

OnOn CandlemasCandlemas,, thethe dayday growsgrows byby twotwo hourshours

ChandeleurChandeleur couvertecouverte,, quarantequarante joursjours dede perteperte

CandlemasCandlemas coveredcovered (in(in snowsnow),), fortyforty daysdays lostlost

RoseRose la la ChandeleurChandeleur,, hiverhiver sasa derniredernire heureheure

DewDew onon CandlemasCandlemas,, winterwinter atat itsits finalfinal hohourur


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II guessguess thatthat afterafter readingreading soso

muchmuch about frenchabout french candlemascandlemasandcrpesandcrpes you you certainlycertainly wantwant

toto knowknow thethe reciperecipe

http://www.youtube.com/watchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJ86x3JVX0Qh?v=YJ86x3JVX0Q

BON APPTIT!BON APPTIT!


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Are youAre you capablecapable toto telltell toto

youryour classmatesclassmates howhow toto makemakecrepes?crepes?

Do youDo you wantwant toto dodo somesome andandtastetaste themthem afterwardsafterwards??

What do you think about FrenchWhat do you think about French CandlemasCandlemastraditiontradition??Do youDo you likelike itit?? ExplainExplain whywhy

Do you know anyDo you know any typicaltypical reciperecipe inin youryourcountrycountry connectedconnected toto oneone specificspecific holidayholiday??Can youCan you writewrite thethe reciperecipe??


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French Celebrations

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