Sunday, August 26, 2012

Paris Liberation


You think this photo was taken 60 years ago? All wrong, I took it yesterday - and yes, I did pimp it a little! - at an event organized by the Paris town hall to commemorate the liberation of Paris (from the Nazi occupation) that took place on August 25, 1944. On top of the many (too many?!) speeches and singning, they also had several people dressed up like in the forties and vehicles (jeeps, motorbikes...) that contributed to the liberation of Paris. It was cool and moving to see (more historical info on Wikipedia if you're interested).

20 comments:

  1. I *love* this, Eric! You pimped it to perfection and I have goosebumps for the history rush it gives.

    ReplyDelete
  2. @Lydia ;-) Yes, it's actually a very moving episode. I remember an old aunt telling me that the liberation of Paris was globally a very happy moment, but also a scary one for for several days you could still be shot by snipers.

    ReplyDelete
  3. One good turn deserves another—you helped us with our Revolution (merci, Lafayette!), and we were very happy to return the favor in '44! Let's stay friends forever, okay?

    ReplyDelete
  4. This photo truly does look vintage, Eric - well done!! One of my goals is to learn how to "pimp" photos as well :-) some day. I bought two books on this period that I have yet to read - "Suite Francaise" & "April in Paris". I know that Suite Francaise was a best seller, but the other one sounds really interesting, too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Nice photo. I wish I could have been at the event. (This one!)

    Any PDP fans in Chicago for the Labor Day weekend?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Love this photo, Eric. Monnica, both very good books, especially 'Suite Francaise.'. Also worthwhile is the mesmerizing 'Is Paris Burning?'. Even though you know that Paris doesn't burn, thank goodness, you won't be able to put it down.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It really has that edge to it. Love the feret they wear on their heads. A story behind your tweaking of the image.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad to hear you liked both books, Grier. Thanks for the tip on the other book - I'll have to pick it up and add it to my ever-growing stack of books on Paris. I can't seem to get caught up!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the vintage look Eric.
    It makes me want to sing. Ok everybody, join me:

    How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
    After they've seen Paree'
    How ya gonna keep 'em away from Broadway
    Jazzin around and paintin' the town
    How ya gonna keep 'em away from harm, that's a mystery
    They'll never want to see a rake or plow
    And who the deuce can parleyvous a cow?
    How ya gonna keep 'em down on the farm
    After they've seen Paree'

    ReplyDelete
  10. How can I learn about these events before they happen so I can attend??

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this image!! I am a huge fan of the 40's Of all the decades the 40's is my favorite. I love the movies, clothes, hair and shoes. I thought it was a very classy era! :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love those lyrics, Michael - I wish I could hear you sing them!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think it's a great event to celebrate and remember those days.

    ReplyDelete
  14. @Alexa "Let's stay friends forever, okay?" LOL, OKAY!

    @Monnica "One of my goals is to learn how to "pimp" photos as well :-)" Nowadays with all the software around, it's not difficult (try Picasa for a start). But the tricky part is precisely NOT TO overdo it, or not to turn every shot into Instagram photos. And once you put your finger in to the enhancing jar, it's hard to stop believe me...
    Suite Française ? Shame on me, I have never heard of it!

    @Jeff Any PDP fans in Chicago for the Labor Day weekend?" I posted a note on Monday's post for you.

    @Grier. How come I never heard of Suite Française?! (I know is Paris burning? though!).

    @James "Love the beret they wear on their heads" Yep! Actually some people still wear berets in Paris, but not many...

    @Michael "I love the vintage look Eric. It makes me want to sing. Ok everybody, join me:" Sorry, I don't seem to know that one... Sounds good though LOL!

    @Ozma "How can I learn about these events before they happen so I can attend?". Well I knew about this one on Paris.fr, as simple as that...

    @Kris " I thought it was a very classy era! :)" I agree, and the 50's too.

    @Bettina "I think it's a great event to celebrate and remember those days." Yeah I think it's good that we keep doing this even though for most people now the concept of "liberating Paris" does not mean much!



    ReplyDelete
  15. @Eric - Here is some info about Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/09/books/review/09gray.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

    I know it was published in France.

    Thanks again for the remarkable picture.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wonderful! My Grandfather (who just passed last month) was an American Airman who spent two years as Nazi prisoner. He was shot down over France and was marched through Paris where he was pelted with objects, spit on and shouted at by the Nazi's and their sympathizers. I will never forget when he told me that story. And how he said the Nazi's made that beautiful city so ugly. Thankfully - it's beautiful again!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Eric and Monnica, here you can now sing along to How Ya Gonna Keep 'em Down On The Farm as sung by (lucky for you it's not me) Eddie Cantor.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Brilliant shot, as well as the treatment, the expressions are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great photo as a way to commemorate such an important day.

    ReplyDelete