aixcentric

It’s always lovely to see the sunshine-yellow mimosa brightening the flower markets at the beginning of a new year.  All the green-and-red of Christmas is behind us and there are new things to look forward to, we hope!

The cinema comes into its own at this time of year, being cosy of course, but also bringing us a slew of new titles, often Oscar hopefuls.  The four coming weeks have some good new releases. From Wednesday, we can see ‘Mapplethorpe’ which should be eye-opening and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ which the Guardian nominated as one of the best films of 2016.  Talking of which, the ‘Telerama’ festival (starts 18th) will be showing their list of the best films from last year for catch-up.  Post will follow.

I will also post on the Epiphany celebrations in Aix which take place on Sunday 8th.  Quick note for long-standing followers: lots of people have signed up for the blog recently so we can’t assume they know about regular events here in Aix.  There may be a little repetition from time to time…I think it’s needed and will title posts clearly so you can delete if you are an old hand at all this!)

11th January…..the sales start and usually run for 6 weeks

20th January…‘Van Gogh’s Ear’.  Bernadette Murphy, author of this intriguing investigation into the truth about the famous incident in Arles, will be signing her book in ‘Book in Bar’ (rue Joseph Cabassol) from 17:30.

31st January.  Bernadette Murphy will be giving a talk at the IAU, 2 bis rue du Bon Pasteur, Aix, 18:30.  (The BBC’s Jeremy Paxman did an excellent documentary on this so you can whet your appetite via YouTube).

There are some activities in the villages – head over to Fuveau, not far from Aix, to warm up with

their 7th soup festival where you can take part in a blind-tasting to guess ingredients and enjoy ‘crêpes en dessert pour les plus gourmands’. 

It’s all in a good cause and the organisers promise ‘une ambiance conviviale et chaleureuse’.  If you want to show-case your own soup, well you never know, contact Cécile on 0616459400.  Now there’s a challenge for the new year!