The summer sun finally arrived in Paris after a very long absence. Surprisingly hot temperatures(for Paris) have replaced the cool drizzly days that seemly lingered on since winter. Firing it up the most last Saturday was the feverishly wild and dazzling music of the Carnival Tropical parade.
Actually, this past weekend was one of those weekends where there was too much going on, that made it difficult for me to choose. Saturday morning there were treasure hunts in several Parisian arrondissements, even some in english, which I thought was a thoughtful geste from the city of Paris to her ever-present Anglophones.
I opted to forgo the treasure hunt because I preferred to get my shopping done in the morning, in order to attend the Carnival Tropical parade that afternoon. The following sunday was free museum day to boot, which I always gleefully look forward to.
Carnival Tropical parade’s 12 th edition of what has become one of the most colorful, follows the roaring successful Gay Pride two weeks ago. Dance troops from all continents south of the border so to speak, were invited to participate in this annual event.
In addition to dancers who traveled to Paris expressively for the parade, there were other participants; the equally colorful antillais residents from France’s Caribbean islands of Guadalupe and Martinique and aficionados of Brazilian music.
Hula skirted Tahiti Nui dancers from French Polynesia and the Indian ocean possessions of Ile de Reunion and Mauritius were well represented too. Further away came troops from Bolivia in absolutely magnificent intricate costumes that must have been stifling in the blaring hot sun.
The far eastern troops from Vietnam and China, twirled around delicately in their cone-shaped hats. The central African dancers brilliantly covered in camouflaged leaves and shrubbery shimmying to booming drum beats were wonderfully unique.
Wave after wave of dancers from these multiple countries passionately danced to the piercing rhythmic beats of their native musical heritage. The costumes made for a kaleidoscope of bright colors made brighter by the intensity of the sun.
All in all in was a transfusion of loud and immensely colorful gaiety all mixed into one afternoon cocktail of joy under the glorious Parisian sun.
Perhaps going with the same theme of cultural diversity, I chose to go Sunday to the Musee de l’Histoire de L’Immigration, which is a new addition to Paris’s 173 museums. Located in a beautifully art deco style building, called the Palais de Porte Dorée at the entrance of the vast Parc de Vincennes, it was built in 1931 for an international colonial exhibition.
One of the city’s two aquariums adjoins it, housing a tropical fish collection,which I have never been to. The collection opened in 2007 and perhaps was done so with the objective of presenting the positive aspects of cultural diversity on strengthening and enhancing the citizenry of France
Immigration is a rather sore word with the French these days, with mounting confluence of negative opinions towards immigrants from France’s ex colonies of Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and the age-old influx of Roma. Of course, France is not the only country in Europe confronted with the turmoil and distrust from the vast waves of immigrants.
Tension is high stemming from Islamist resistance to cultural integration, mainly from their insistence of veiling women and wearing the burka, which was banned two years ago, as well as veils in public schools and institutions, but still occasionally challenged.
France is the past has always welcomed fellow european residents, who at one time made up the brunt of her working class and laborers. For the most part, now several generations past, they are seemly well-integrated into the French populace.
When I was a student is the latter part of the 60’s, I did not see too many immigrants except Asians from Vietnam. Most cleaning ladies were Portuguese, and now most concierge are of Portuguese origin. Taxis drivers were mostly Russian immigrants and now the vast majority are from Islamist countries.
The theme of the museum was to present the positive nature of integrating various multicultural people into the French borders. Even the surrounding garden is completely composed of foreign plants, noted for their hardiness and adaptability, as a tangible way to portray the beauty of blending and integrating different cultures.
America, with the exception of native Americans, is totally composed of immigrants and is still assimilating various cultures. Still paying for the heavy and cruel oppression of Africans brought into slavery, America can highlight what not to do, and yet is for the most part a very successful model of multicultural integration.
With Paris being the most visited city in the world, the faces and languages heard in the streets, throughout the year portray a kaleidoscope of nationalities, that is indeed very welcomed. Inversely, tropical dancers all over the world may well be celebrated here for spicing up the scene, as long as they don’t ask to stay!