Sounds very cultural, but in fact it was a really curious day of events.
The film element didn't involve seeing an actual film, although we were in our local cinema, Cinéma Rabelais, at Chinon. It was the annual general meeting for Cinéplus who programme all the arthouse films. The building and staff of Cinéma Rabelais, are managed/paid for by Chinon council. They schedule the more blockbustery films. It's difficult to describe the less than fully operational relationship that exists between all the parties, other than to say that nothing really joins up and nothing is really constitutional. It's one of those knots that would have the excessively well-organised foaming at the mouth. Somehow it works - except when it doesn't. Meaning the current debate about moving the cinema to the industrial zone just outside Chinon, where reside the new Leclerc and everyone's favourite -hm - MacDonalds. Probably the move won't happen. The economic climate isn't right. There's no private investment willing to take the move on. Nobody involved with the cinema or at least from Cinéplus wants it to happen. So although the idea is in the ether it doesn't seem to be going anywhere. It's more an opportunity to let off some steam. Anyway we went to our first ever AGM which in itself was unconstitutionally organised. Not going into the details. After two hours the meeting was wrapped up, with a few blood pressures raised I imagine. You have to go to these things at least once.
We got back home for a short time and then went back into Chinon to support a Latvian friend of ours, who has a group of her compatriots visiting for a few days on a cultural exchange with their French counterparts. So traditional music, songs and dance, Latvian and French, with all sorts of crafts and special foods. Our friend Ilona is fascinating. Latvian by birth, she lived in Yorkshire for some time, where there is a strong Latvian community. No I didn't know either. Then for the last twenty years she's been living in France. She is a fabulous woman. Bags of get up and go, enthusiasm, joie de vivre etc., and with the most astonishing accent. Clearly Yorkshire, even when she's speaking French. So she has three languages. There is another lady Roberte who has the same accent. The two of them are friends, but for some reason speak together in English. It's fascinating stuff.
Mike had done the publicity for Ilona's event at the former church in Place Mirabeau, on Saturday afternoon. It's often used for exhibitions, rehearsal space and informal performances. Ilona's event included singing, dancing and music played on traditional instruments. Sometimes the groups sang and danced separately but sometimes they came together. The costumes were beautifully made and colourful. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera as it was charging up. Each had brought apero food and wine typical of their culture. It was fabulous. Completely informal and with a wonderful atmosphere.
We'd got there around 6pm and left around 8.30pm. Stayed in Chinon to get something to eat, but we were also wanting to go to the Café Français as it had a jazz gig on. By now we were feeling pretty knackered. Having not got in till about 1am Saturday morning after Fontevraud and rushing about all over the place Saturday, we stayed for the first half and decided to go home. The band were excellent though. Electric keyboard, guitar and drums. They take standards and rework them but it's not so they are unrecognisable. It's good work and they really play well. A good way to wind the day up.
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