Only a few of you must know who l'Abbé Pierre was. Let's say he was our "mother Theresa", an extremely brave, religious man who dedicated his life to the poor. Not only did he learn to use the media to raise awareness on the housing problems - especially after WWII, but he also got involved in politics (becoming a member of the Parliament at some point) and founded a very powerful and generous association called Emmaüs. He died last Monday at the age of 94 and his funeral took place this morning at Notre Dame. All the television stations where there and so was I. It looks like this cameraman was looking for him in the sky...
Monsieur,
ReplyDeleteI love the photo. Perhaps fist prize in your competition could be a "cherry picker" of your very own.
Thank you for stimulating and informing us so well, and where's the clouds? Paris must be warming up a bit.
I had never heard of him before, but I read about him on France24. Such a good man.
ReplyDeleteLovely photo, so clear !
ReplyDeletehmmm, this one is paradoxical, the composition is quite complex in it's simplicity.
ReplyDeletethere are many levels of symbolic interpretation a propos of the subject matter, all reflecting a common theme of the density of matter encased in the vast expanse of spirit.
the violet hue is magic.
i was able to catch a few moments of l'abbe pierre's funeral on france 24, and i too was tres emu.
He was quite an amazing man. I read that he was the 3rd most admired Frenchman, behind DeGaulle & Pasteur.
ReplyDeletewow, i had to come back to look at this one, it's kinda blowing my mind ... the levels and the depth and the sophistication ...whew!
ReplyDeleteeric, how do you do it? i am so intrigued by your creative process. it is such a powerful combination of inspiration and technique.
and this one was truly inspired.
Glad you could tell us a bit about the man and funeral. I don't imagine just anybody can be buried in Notre Dame, so he must have really been someone special.
ReplyDeleteI know that about twice a year I give clothes to Emmaüs, but don't think I ever put together the fact that this charity was formed by Abbé Pierre. Thanks for this info.
M.Benaut said, "and where's the clouds? Paris must be warming up a bit."
ReplyDeleteTrust me M.Benault...it hasn't warmed up at all! I actually thought the opposite when looking at this photo, "How on earth can you hold a camera steady when you're freezing your hands are shaking from the cold?!"
Une photo décalée pour un évènement important, bien vu.
ReplyDeleteL'abbé Pierre était sans aucun doute un homme exceptionnel, courageux et bon. Je suis contente que Dieu l'ait rappelé à lui (une expression qu'il emploierait certainement) car il avait souvent exprimé ces dernières années qu'il avait vécu assez longtemps et qu'il aimerait s'en aller.
Puisse son oeuvre lui survivre longtemps. Au revoir, Abbé Pierre.
Michael, you are up so early, look at the time, vous ne dormez jamais?
ReplyDeleteHey Michael, do you know of any sites that publish street maps of Paris by just one arrondissement at a time?
It would be helpful in finding la Place St. George for example. Google maps didn't know it.
And was your company involved in the new Adelaide Trams?
Bon weekend!
I didnt know him but based on what you wrote I guess he was a great man. And hopefully the cameraman captured his soul rising to the heaven...
ReplyDeleteProfoundly good men and women all wish that the people they give solace and support to might one day be as rare - that is, as scarce - as they themselves are. Unfortunately, . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history lesson, Eric. I'd never heard of this extraordinary man.
What a wonderful, long life!
ReplyDeleteYes M.Benaut, no matter how tired I am, I tend to wake up early. I think it comes from growing up in South Florida where you always got up early to get your chores done before the sun got too hot! Jet lag doesn't help either!
ReplyDeleteThe best I can do for a map is the Paris RATP site. Maybe that will help?
As for the Adelaide trams, I don't think so. Here's the ALSTOM website for Australia though, which might be interesting for you.
Hi Louis London...long time no read. I've been lax in visiting your wonderful blog, but just took a quick glance and it's as wonderful as ever.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michael. I try.
ReplyDeleteSadly, my commitments are growing at such a rate that I have had to put an end (at least for the moment) to 'Letters to Alina'. In fact, the most I think I can manage is a letter every birthday, which I will have turned into a book for everyone who attends her twenty-first.
Gee, I hope she doesn't get too popular.
It's a very sad loss. I read about his life in Yahoo.fr. I didn't know him previously
ReplyDeleteL'abbé Pierre was an exceptional man from what I have learned today on France3. I am sorry for his friends, admirers and follwers.
ReplyDeleteThe public in France appear very saddened by his loss and I am sorry to not have been aware of his passing here in Australia until today when his funeral service was held in Notre Dame
You are so right, Michael. I still am up between 5&5:30 am. 42 years in Ft. Lauderdale must have done it to me...Although, I got up at the same time when in lived in Ohio for thle previous 26 years. The time does fly. We'll be in Paris in about 3 weeks...the jet lag will probably do me in for a day or so.
ReplyDeleteI think the simplicity of this photo is marvelous. Starkness makes a strong statement.
m.benaut and Michael : You can find interactive maps of Paris (street maps, aerial views, photos of every building in Paris - you can virtually roam the city all day without every leaving home!) if you visit the "Ville en direct" section of www.pagesjaunes.fr
ReplyDeleteThis site is a little goldmine of visual info on Paris
Michèle,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link you kindly provided on Paris. It's great.
Thanks Eric for this lovely tribute to l'Abbé Pierre.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were leaving Paris (after living there for a few years), we did a research on charities we wanted to donate our furniture and other possesions to. Most of the organizations were...well, let's say "unreceptive". But the Emmaüs was a joy to deal with and truly appreciative. That's how we first learned about l'Abbé Pierre and are now saddened by his death.
"Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
John Donne
Thanks Michèle. The site seems to be down for now, but will try again later.
ReplyDeleteThe technological eye in front of the midieval Notre Dame for the funeral of a 19th century hero, on a background of steely winter sky. It'a appropriate to have Abbe Pierre's funeral at Notre Dame. Maybe appropriate that it's winter, so everyone leaving the church is reminded of the poor and homeless.
ReplyDeleteRegarding mapping and finding things, I use Googlemaps all the time. Street map with aerial photo. It's great. Zoomed in on the statute in Place St. Georges featured in Eric's photo.
I loved learning about him on Wikipedia. I can't believe that I had never heard of such an important and influential man.
ReplyDeleteAs you said Eric..."he was the Mother Teresa of France"!! He was well known in the US as well, especially to those of us who grew up after the war[now called "boomers"..]when things weren't exactly easy for everyone; especially those at the bottom of the pecking order!
ReplyDeleteHe taught us all a lesson we should pay attention to, his life was an example for many to follow!
"Give with your heart and love will come to you." l. nyro
Don't underestimate us! We know him.
ReplyDeleteToday's Economist has his obituary and I thought to myself: I just learnt of him through the Paris DP!
ReplyDeleteCool Shot. Rest in Peace l'Abbé.
ReplyDelete