We can all agree that this week has been francolicious in the amount of French-inspired activities we got. So before we enter our post-Francophonie depression, let’s have a look back into this week of excitement and sportsmanship. First of all, we had to travel 5 days back to Monday, where we were instantly hit by the awesome and inclusive opening ceremony, where our celebrity French teachers paraded the first floor, enticing everyone with the power of French and the Olympic games.
The 2024 Olympic Games are being held in Paris, being destined to be the most inclusive games yet, and that is why the spirit of francophonie this year revolved around the Olympic games. As our French teachers rallied the student body, the music played truly echoed the soul of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the Olympic spirit of sportsmanship. They were also carrying the Olympic torch, a prop masterfully crafted by the grade 9 French class. Without one’s glasses, one could’ve easily mistaken the torch for a real flame, further increasing the excitement for the week to come.
As we continued on our day-to-day, we were suddenly shocked and pleasantly surprised by the new unfamiliar bell. Instead of our standard bell to signify the end and start of class, we got a beautiful segment of a stunning French contemporary piece.
Even those who don’t speak French could recognize the feeling of French musical power, and we all became ecstatic from joy, you could feel the electricity in the air. Even as we continued to go through our classes, this excitement would not die down, as the constant bell sound kept everyone on their toes. Once the day ended, we were all queried on what the next day had to offer.
Poster
Now Wednesday was where the real magic started. We were informed in the morning by our lovely homeroom teachers that there would be a French show in the afternoon, one that would topple last year's. But before we had the opportunity to experience the show, we still had to get through lunch and it was as easy as it sounded. The option we had for French cuisine that day was more than enough to satisfy our stomachs: Couscous.
The second we took a bite of this magnificent combination of cultures, the individual grains of semolina detonated in our mouths, hugging our bodies with warmth and comfort. The day couldn't get any better! But there was more to it. With the couscous, the accompaniment was a beautiful vegetable stew, so good that even our vegetarian friends could enjoy it to its fullest.
Each mouthful was like an adrenaline-inducing rollercoaster. The individual flavors hidden in the dish hit every individual tastebud resting on our tongue, adding to the interesting grainy but also chewy texture that already inhabited the deeply cultural Moroccan dish. Finally, as the clock approached 3, it was show time!
We filled our school’s theatre faster than water would, as excitement buzzed in the air. Everyone wanted to see our friends and peers show off their French skills on stage, and that they did. Right at the beginning of the show, there was a light that shone on a torch carrier, dressed contemporarily, bringing forth the flame from the back of the theatre to the front of the stage, where the two hosts awaited. These two hosts received the torch gracefully and with a tasteful touch of French language mixed with the perfect amount of English for the audience to understand, the show has been opened.
First, our school's high school choir lifted up the audience's mood with their complicated and intricate rendition of “Le Roi du Monde” from the rock musical “Romea et Julietto”. Despite it being fully in French and not the classic choir-type song, the choir managed to beautifully adapt to the new genre. Instead of the old-fashioned choir stands, they all stood together at the front of the stage, everyone wearing something in their own style but the same French color scheme.
It was incredibly immersive, and they sold the performance, with Mr. Shamovs high notes being the cherry on top. The student body truly came to the consensus that this was among the best choir performances to ever grace the stage.
Then, the 6th graders took to the stage, not only presenting their impressive acting skills but also showing off an incredibly high level of French for how long they had learned it. Despite this being their first year in French, the passion for the language and culture shone through, and a tad of self-deprecating humor was also not amiss.
After the Olympic spirit was introduced, it was time for the humor to consume the audience, and what would’ve been better than a funny theatre piece by the grade 9 French students.
In this piece, the 9th graders pretended to lose the Olympic torch, and they would have to travel through different historical moments to get it back. The performance was hilarious, with everything from chariot racing to dance battles and it still managed to pertain to the Olympic spirit and the message of unity. As the theatre piece ended, one would find a tear in one's eye, unsure whether it was from laughing too much or the touching message of global unity.
Another thing that unites people is cuisine, which was then represented on stage by a video of the grade 8 French class cooking classic francophonie dishes. The funny editing perfectly enhanced the delicious meals that were being projected on the screen.It was a teaser for the magic yet to come and it would be on Thursday.
But the 10th graders also wouldn’t be missed at the show, as they dubbed a hilarious segment of “Asterix and Obelix”. This show would be extremely recognizable all across Europe for its hilarious humor and clever storytelling.
The show, however, is also a great example of French resilience against the Italians. The 10th graders managed to combine francophonie spirit, Olympic spirit, and enticing humor into one, a true masterpiece.
Finally, the 7th graders took to the stage, performing the official Olympic dance.
All the audience wanted to do was get up and dance, but before that could happen, Edna from grade 7 graced the stage with her ballet skills, shocking everyone even more.
Then, the audience was invited on stage to dance, a genius way of incorporating the entire student body, with both students and teachers alike enjoying every moment of it. The sad sighs of sorrow could not be missed when everyone was dismissed from the theatre, as the realization hit everyone that it was going to be 365 days until the next French show. This bittersweet aura lingered in the air, no one heeding the single file in their sadness. As the performers joined the ranks of those who gazed upon them, the resonance of positive compliments echoed throughout the library floor.
Here it was, the end of the French show. A singular movement that connected members of all grade levels in their passion for the French language. In this calm after the storm, we were all reminded, that the weekend has yet to grace us with its presence, and the last 2 days of French week would not let us down in terms of excitement and quality.
The second we thought that the highlight of this week was over, our teacher sent us a message that would spike our adrenaline levels to its peak: French food tasting on Thursday.
As we slowly ascended onto the third floor, our ears tingled with the noise of cuisine and excitement. It was like diving into a rich and luscious ocean decorated with exotic species and surprises and there was no finish line. While we were swimming through the chaotic beauty of French delicacies, we were shocked and speechless by the wide variety of options displayed at the tables.
The buzzing F floor was filled with scents like chocolate, crepes, ratatouille, and so much more that we would get depressed at just how small our stomachs were. Mouth-watering desserts, goosebump-enhancing flavors, and cultural-authentic cuisine were all part of the eye-opening experience that we were lucky enough to have experienced.
As this dreamland corridor came to an end, we started losing our moods. Was everything over? Was this it? Was this the final finish line of the modern yet nostalgic and kindheartedly prepared French week? It certainly wasn’t! Because something would be yet to come that would be deeply embedded in our warmed-up hearts forever and make us all part of something French.
On the last day of this unforgettable trip, we all got invited to a French party. An event only made for those brave enough to embrace and take part in the most Francophonie cultural realistic and exciting activities and games. An event so fun that even the top-of-the-pyramid party clowns would be flabbergasted. An event filled with laughter, tears of joy, dancing, and singing. So much that even the teachers couldn't hold themselves back and finally broke apart their figure as educators and finally, just so finally, got hold of their long-lost immaturity and party souls. Oh, it was only because of them that we had such a splendid time! Karaoke? Ready to go. Band performances? Glad you asked! Sumo fights? Didn’t expect them, did ya?
It was like a never-ending buffet. Each table was full of surprises. Each dish was something unique and francojoyable. As we munched every piece of food that was available on the buffet table, the French version of Laufey quickly occupied the room as everyone laughed and ate until their facial muscles ached. But everything had to end eventually. As this magificance of a party approached its end, we were all tired, but as happy as ever. The popping of balloons, the soft jazz playing in the background, and the group pictures taken, were everything that added to our sorrow of facing the sense of post-part blues.
Authors丨Ryan, Jay, Ray, Max
