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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 20:50:16 GMT
What happens in Paris will never match the wonderful events in Mexico at this time of year, but I found myself compelled to visit a cemetery this morning. I know that this was not the best day to do this for a photo report because I arrived long before the families with their pots of heather or chrysanthemums, so the cemetery was a bit barren. Perhaps I will return in a day or two to show the flower tributes in their full splendour. So anyway, I went there quite early. It was not even the official opening hour yet (9 a.m. on Sundays and holidays), but I knew that it would be open early on this particular day. Regarding chrysanthemums, it was only decided in 1918 that these were the appropriate flowers for November 1st. It was the first All Saints' Day at the end of the Great War and the president at the time decided that they were the most appropriate to put on tombs. They bloom late and they are very resistant to frost. So since that time, chrysanthemums are used almost exclusively for cemeteries in France. It is an insult to use them for anything else. People are strange.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 20:57:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 21:02:15 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2015 21:09:33 GMT
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Post by mossie on Nov 2, 2015 14:47:44 GMT
A good selection. Most appropriate near Halloween to show the one they are really worried about. At least they have made a good attempt at chaining him down.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 4, 2015 5:54:14 GMT
Bravo, Kerouac! This is a wonderful atmospheric art piece, more than a mere thread, and so beautifully photographed. The misty angled morning light, the perfect choice of photo treatments, that incredible shot through the bare branches through the remaining autumn leaves -- wow!
That's a surprising fact about the chrysanthemum being officially deemed the All Soul's day flower. As far as I know, it's been the flower for that day in Louisiana cemeteries for ages. Do you suppose Louisiana copied the idea from France & only started using it heavily in 1918? The use of heather also surprised me, as it wouldn't be a plant I'd associate with France. Maybe it's because of availability at this time of year.
I'll have to go back and watch the video again -- fabulous capture of mood, wonderful cinematography, and a perfect choice of music.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2015 6:43:33 GMT
The Wikipedia article about chrysanthemums just says this:
In some countries of Europe (e.g., France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Croatia), incurve chrysanthemums are symbolic of death and are used only for funerals or on graves, while other types carry no such symbolism; similarly, in China, Japan and Korea, white chrysanthemums are symbolic of lamentation and/or grief. In some other countries, they represent honesty. In the United States, the flower is usually regarded as positive and cheerful, with New Orleans as a notable exception.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 18, 2016 12:26:52 GMT
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 2, 2017 12:56:23 GMT
Inspired by Bixaorellana's annual and totally wonderful report about Muertos in and around Oaxaca, I found myself in the cemetery of Montmartre this morning after exiting a nearby cinema. The floral displays can in no way match the Mexican enthusiasm, but it's a nice place to walk around anyway. I've been there at least a dozen times and see new and different things every time... and of course some of the same stuff, too.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 2, 2017 13:13:40 GMT
I thought that maybe the name had worn off, but I doubted it because he is after all sufficiently famous for his tomb to be maintained. I looked it up on www.findagrave.com when I got home. I probably walked right past it a half dozen times because "de GAS" did not register as "Degas" in my brain. I don't know anybody called GAS.
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Post by kerouac2 on Nov 2, 2017 13:31:11 GMT
But some of his melodies have remained so famous that even a rapper from the suburbs can sing the refrain from "Mexico" and love it. Actually most people could never hit that note the way Luis Mariano did, but everybody tries. You can hear it at 1:13 on this video -- and several more times as the song continues, amazing every time. Anybody interested can also hear Luis Mariano singing it in Spanish if you take a quick look at You Tube. I know that our Mexican members here will particularly appreciate the authentic costumes.
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Post by mich64 on Nov 2, 2017 15:27:45 GMT
I can not see any of your photos from your last post Kerouac. I do see the video, but none of the photos.
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Post by tod2 on Nov 2, 2017 17:11:09 GMT
I see it all in such wonderful whistful music...You have done a great job Kerouac. Bixa - we have to visit sooner than later...I have driven over the bridge umpteen times in my 18 years but never thought to visit. September 2018 is a Paris destination I will be heading for.
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Post by bixaorellana on Nov 3, 2017 1:24:44 GMT
Hmmm. Autumn in Paris. Hmmmm. Meeting Tod. Hmmmmmm. Kerouac, this thread and today's additions are a triumph!!! I adore all the photography and particularly the subtle but extremely effective treatments you've given some of them. "shower head" . Such an odd grave site. He not only died young, his daughter didn't make it to even half his age before dying. Luis Mariano is to be commended for that entirely authentic mariachi-style high note. Basque boy makes good! Last night in the cemetery above my house, a woman walked past me speaking French. I actually picked out and understood one word of what she was saying to her companions. The word was ........... cempasúchil, the Mexican word for marigold. When people compliment other people's threads, they often say "you saved the best till last". In this case, I could say "you saved the best for the middle." When I saw that fabulously atmospheric and perfectly framed mossy angel in profile I said Ahhhhhhh. But then I saw the dramatically gorgeous wrought iron and stained glass in the next picture and went Oooooooo. But really, every single picture is a winner. Thanks for bringing us this year's visit and giving me an opportunity to go back and enjoy last year's all over again.
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Post by fumobici on Nov 3, 2017 23:15:04 GMT
Wonderful addition. The tombs all chock-a-block under the elevated Rue Caulincourt somehow strike me as odd. Like tombs outdoors should have sky or trees above them for some reason. I imagine Michel with a sister who goes by Patty...
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Post by lugg on Nov 5, 2017 9:25:06 GMT
Beautiful photos K2 I love some of the effects you have created
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