Wednesday, October 19, 2011

French Mothers


I don't know if you remember, a few years ago I posted a photo of a monument that I found by pure coincidence in the 13th arrondissement, dedicated to Les mères de France (French mothers). Well a few days ago, I passed by this place again... It's a stunning monument that recalls some of the soviet union ones (massive and somewhat univocal). It was erected in 1938 and served many political purposes throughout our recent history. Thus being said, the fertility rate in France amounts to 2,01 on average, which is one of the highest in the western world.

15 comments:

  1. Well, that explains all the adorables petits enfants running around the Jardins du Luxembourg. :~}
    (You're right—this does look like Soviet art.)

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  2. Don't some of them seem to be men? While the monument may be dedicated to mothers, I suppose it doesn't mean the figures are all mothers themselves. They seem to be dressed as I picture people in the medical profession dressing at that time. I don't think women wore pants as the one in the front middle is doing.

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  3. My thoughts exactly Carrie. I would say that is a goatee on the guy wearing trousers rather than jowls.

    Not so much greenery in 1938. Seen from a broader perspective, as in the link, or here perhaps, it really does take on the brutalist countenance of a Soviet monument.

    Leave it to Alexa to brighten things up.

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  4. I have a great deal of respect for French mothers. This statue makes me think, however, that our idea of French fashion is definitely post-1938.

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  5. Are these men? If they are women, they are really ... ahem... masculine.

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  6. This monument was erected in honour of the French mothers who 'saved' the French nation after the first world war when so many men had been killed - both by doing the work they'd previously done, then by having lots of babies afterwards.

    The part you've shown here is one of the groups of men looking towards the mothers - seemingly both in awe and in shame.

    The monument has always been a controversial one, and a particular target of feminists. To be honest, it is oversized and a little ugly, but the reason they have always attacked it is because they don't think women should only be celebrated for being 'mothers'.

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  7. Seems to be as much père as mère.

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  8. Exactly, Monica! There is something to be learned every day that is new and thankfully, I get my daily dose of Paris and learn something at the same time! What lovely multi-tasking...something most mothers can do with ease after having a baby!

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  9. Thank you Adam for your explanation which was a lot helpful to me to catch well this monument ! I've smiled at the last sentence. Being 'women' should be as complicated as being 'men'. lol I think this is what's happening nowadays! 'L'accomplissement de soi' concerns equally men and women. At least, among the most priviliged people.

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  10. I feel like I learn something new everyday I visit. The history around all of these statues are fascinating.

    Kris

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  11. Yes, you're right Adam, - thanks for the info. This monument has been used for numerous protests, including the ones of feminists.

    And yes, you're all right, when you mention that what you can see in the photo are men, but it's only because "they look up to the mothers of France"!

    Actually, without knowing, this post was very timely as... as of today we count a new mother in France and a famous one: Carla Bruni, the French first lady just gave birth to a little girl!

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  12. Congratulations to the new parents! I will have to look at the news and see what I can see. I'm sure this will be one celebrated baby.

    Thanks for the up to the minute report...and thanks for the links, TG.

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  13. Alors, vous avez une princesse nouvelle.

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  14. She was born around 8 pm they said and apparently her name (according to Twitter!) is Dalia.

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  15. Thank you Eric, you first gave me the news, concerning the birth of the little girl and her supposed name, Dalia, which I think is beautiful.

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