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French Friendzy This page was created to celebrate the French language and culture and for those of you interested in learning or improving your French! Visit Frenchlessonsonline.weebly.com to learn French

Le 1er avril (April fool’s day) in France

Un poisson d’avril (April’s fish) in France is a joke or a trick that people play on each other on april 1st. Tricks are played on friends, family, coworkers or anyone who’s unfortunate enough to cross their path that day! Even the media either online, in newspapers or on TV participate in the “plaisanteries” (jokes).
Kids celebrate it by sticking or hanging a fish shaped piece of paper on the backs of people they want to trick, and once the joke played is discovered, they yell « poisson d’avril ! ».

How did April fool’s day start in France?

According to popular beliefs, the New Year used to start on April 1st up to the mid-sixteenth century. But as King of France, Charles IX wanted the year to start on January 1st, so he made a swift change to the French calendar and made it official on the Edict of Roussillon. Legend has it that some people were not at all happy with this enforced law for many reasons, and continued to celebrate the new year in their own way around April 1st. The people who embraced the new calendar started to mock the reluctant ones and gave them false presents and played tricks on them.

But pourquoi le poisson (why the fish)?

During that time, the 1st of April coincided with the end of Lent when the Church forbade Christians to eat meat. Fish was tolerated and was often used in the offering of gifts for the New Year. When the jokes started to become more common, false fish were often used to trick the victim. There lies the legendary origin of April Fish, stuck on the back of the fools, those who did not accept the changing times or who saw the world through their own eyes only.
April 1st is the ideal day to “jouer un tour” (play a trick on) people around you, so I wanted to share a few pranks, in French of course, to play on your victims, mwah-ha-ha! Hope you have a good laugh!!

http://www.sympatico.ca/actualites/insolite/poisson-d-avril-idees-blagues-1.1493953

Joyeux Mardi Gras !

On Tuesday February 28th, many French cities will be celebrating Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday). Mardi Gras has its origins in marking the last day Christians could eat “des mets gras” (fatty foods) before the period of “Carême” (Lent), which consist of spending 40 days of prayer and meat abstinence until Easter. Christians would celebrate Mardi Gras by eating des mets gras, traditionaly crêpes, gauffres (French waffles), beignets (French donuts), because of the necessity to use up all the eggs and butter supplies that would not be used during Carême. Mardi gras is also the highest point of Carnaval, where the people would celebrate with costumes and parades in the streets. The word Carnaval is from Latin “Carne Vale”, which means "farewell to meat" or “farewell to the flesh” signifying the approaching fast that came with Carême. Today, Mardi Gras is celebrated in various cities around France, like Paris, and especially in Nice with its Carnaval de Nice, one of the largest carnivals in the world. The city of Nice has been celebrating Carnaval since as far as 1294. In the past, participants would throw plaster confetti, flour and eggs at each other. Today, participants are often disguised in colorful and creative costumes, which could be elegant or absurd costumes. Mardi gras doesn’t always fall on the same date every year. It is always 47 days before Easter. So why don’t you join in the celebration of Mardi Gras by making some apple beignets? Here’s the recipe:

Serves 4
1 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons dark rum
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
6 tablespoons heavy cream
2 apples, golden is great
1 1/2 cup plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
3/4 cup apple cider
corn oil for frying
powdered sugar

Start with the sauce.
Heat the sugar in a pan on medium heat.
Once its melted and golden brown add butter, water, run, vinegar and cream.
Stir until you have a smooth sauce.
Remove from the heat and pour into a bowl.
Peel and core the apples.
In a bowl stir together flour, baking powder, egg and cider. The batter should be thick.
Dip the sliced apples into the batter.
Heat the oil in a large pot.
Fry the apple slices until golden.
Let them run off on paper towel.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve hot with the sauce.
Bon appetit!

L’épiphanie
The holiday season in France end on January 6th with “l’épiphanie” (the epiphany: meaning manifestation or apparition) or “La fête des rois” (the feast of kings). L’épiphanie is a Christian holiday and represents the day the Wise Men visited the baby Jesus for western Christians and for eastern Christians, it represents the day Jesus was baptized. In countries where “l’épiphanie” is not a holiday, it is observed on the second Sunday following Christmas.
In France, this day is celebrated with “La galette des rois” (the kings cake) since the Middle-ages, in honor of the wise men (called Magi Kings in French) coming to see the baby Jesus.
In the north of France, “La galette des rois” is round, golden color and represents the return of the sun after long dark winter nights. In the south of France and in Provence, it is a cake or “brioche” (soft, golden bread with an egg base) in the shape of a crown, referring to the kings. It is typically made with puff pastry cake and filled with frangipane, a cream made from sweet almonds, butter, eggs and sugar.
A small charm “the fève” is hidden in the cake. It could be made out of plastic, but is traditionally made out of porcelain. Traditionally, the cake is cut in equal parts (according to the number of guests), then the youngest of the children present goes under the table and designate how the slices should be distributed. That is to prevent cheating, since the baker of the cake would already know where the “fève” is.
The person who finds the fève is crowned king/queen for the day!
So if anyone wants to join in the celebration and have a “galette des rois” party, here is the recipe for it:

Galette des Rois-King Cake

Ingredients
1 or 2 packages (17.3-ounce) store bought puff pastry sheets, if frozen thaw in refrigerator

Frangipane cream for the filling, enough for 2 galettes:
1 cup soft butter
1 cup ground blanched almonds
4 tablespoons flour
3 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 pinch salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Egg yolk mixed with 1 tablespoon water

Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. With an electric be**er, mix all the ingredients for the frangipane cream just until blended. On a slightly floured cold surface, cut 2 circles the size of dinner plates out of the puff pastry. Put one of them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush one inch around the edge of the circle with egg wash (beaten egg yolk). Spread half of the frangipane cream on the center and place the second circle on top matching the edges of the circles. Press all around the edges to glue them together. Press softly in the center to evenly spread the filling. If making 2 galettes use remaining cream and follow the same method for preparation.

Decorate the galette with a fork, press edges together all around-no pricking. With the point of a knife, make any kind of design being careful not to go all the way through the puff pastry. Brush the surface with egg wash being careful no to get any on the sides.
Bake the galette in the center of a preheated 450 degree oven for 15 minutes then 350 degrees for 30 minutes. For the last 5 minutes, sprinkle with powdered sugar and bake until golden brown. Serve warm with gold paper crown on top.

For the tradition of Epiphany in the privacy of your kitchen cut the galette in as many parts as people in the party. In one of them, insert a little ceramic toy (big enough to prevent swallowing). In the old days, they used a dried fava bean, so to this day it is still called "la fève." Everyone picks 1 piece of galette the one who discovers the toy is made the king of the day and wears the crown. He picks a queen by putting the toy in her glass and everyone raises his or her glass and applauds. Same process in reverse if a lady finds the toy. Tradition says that the next party should be at the king's expense.

LE NOUVEL AN (New Year’s)
On these last day of 2016, many are getting ready for New Year’s Eve celebrations all around the world. So how do people In France celebrate the New Year? Let’s explore a few New Year’s Eve traditions in France:
Whereas Christmas is mostly celebrated with family members, in France, New Year’s Eve also called “La Saint Sylvestre” is generally celebrated with friends, or even with strangers at “soirées” either at people’s homes or specially reserved places, all around the country. Celebrations are even taking place in the streets, under the Eiffel Tower and on the Champs Elysées.
LE RÉVEILLON (New Year’s Eve)
Having an abundance of food is paramount for a “Réveillon” to be a success. The more, the better! Some staples are champagne of course, and “Foie gras” (fattened duck liver). Of course, like in any good party, good music is also played, “pour s’amuser, et bien danser” (to have fun and dance). Of course like in many other cultures, the atmosphere is about celebrating the year that was, and the one to come. Guests also wear “chapeaux pointus” (pointy hats), and blow their “serpentins” (party blowers) at the strike of midnight.
LE COMPTE A REBOURS (the countdown)
Everyone takes part in the “compte à rebours” (countdown) “Cinq, quatre, trois, deux, un….Bonne année!!!”, then wishes each other “Bonne année! Bonne santé!” while toasting each other with champagne glasses. Couples may kiss under the “gui” (mistletoe). Some try to call their loved ones who are elsewhere which usually causes network problems due to high volume of calls.
DU BRUIT! (Noise!)
The one time it is ok to make tons of noise on the streets in France is while welcoming the New Year: people honk their horns, others use “pétards” (firecrackers), and people scream “Bonne année! Bonne santé!” at the top of their lungs, either by popping their head out of the window or by going into the streets. Making noise on New Year’s Eve may stem from an old belief that noise chases away bad spirits or demons, who were feared to be more prevalent on the night where one year gives place to another.
LES RESOLUTIONS DU NOUVEL AN (New Year’s resolutions)
Just like everywhere else, the French also make “resolutions pour la nouvelle année” (New year’s resolutions). Keeping them is another story! Some write cards to relatives, wishing them a good year, good health, happiness and success.
LES VOEUX PRÉSIDENTIELS (The presidential address)
Traditionally the French president addresses the nation on the 31st at 8PM on TV, to give his “voeux presidentiels” (presidential wishes). He usually uses to occasion to encourage the people, tell them his hopes for the future of the nation. In difficult times such as last year, right after the terrorist attack in Paris, the president exhorts the nation to stay strong, and reflect the values of the “republique Francaise” (French republic), which are “liberte, egalite, fraternite”.
UN AUTRE JOUR POUR LE NOUVEL AN? (New Year’s day on another day?)
A last fun fact about “Le Jour de l’An” in France is that it has not always been celebrated on January 1st. In the 7th century, it was on march 1st, in the 9th century, it was celebrated on Christmas Day. In the 10th century, it was on Easter day, and around the 16th century, it was celebrated April 1st. It is rumored Charles IX was the one who instituted New Year’s celebration on January 1st.
So from the bottom of my heart to you all:

BONNE ANNÉE 2017!!!

Here's a funny link to a video mashup of new year's wishes from Past French presidents
https://www.ina.fr/video/VDD11012680

Les voeux des hommes politiques Les hommes politiques de la Vème république souhaitent une bonne année à tous les Français. Un montage signé Caroline Cartier.

https://youtu.be/U9aMAnEJuUU

Tous les cris les sos translation This song is one of my all-time favorites of Daniel Balavoine. I wanted to translate the beautiful lyrics for english speakers so they could enjoy it also!

Daniel Balavoine
Throughout the years, french music has moved not only me, but millions of people around the world. Today I want to share about one of my favorite french singers, Daniel Balavoine. I remember hearing many of his hits, growing up as a child in Paris in the 80s, on the radio. Born February 5th 1952, in Alençon in Normandy, Balavoine had a great musical career. He was a singer-songwriter and also an activist. I loved his voice; he had a great range and could hit pretty high notes. His lyrics also were passionate, poetic and many times philosophic. Balavoine was a very outspoken artist. He is known for confronting one of the presidential candidates for French presidency in 1980 during a television news program, and speaking out for the voiceless youth of the time. Balavoine also had a big heart, and around that time started to become involved in humanitarian work. He was put in charge of building water wells for the impoverished in Africa. Unfortunately, while doing that work, he tragically died at 33 years old while traveling in Mali, Africa. A sand storm caused the helicopter he was in to crash in the desert, killing all 5 people on board, including Balavoine. France mourned the death of such a talented artist for the years following. This year, in honor of the 30th anniversary of his death, a tribute album was released with a handful of the new generation French singers, giving a newer version of some of his most beloved titles.

For french music lovers out there, I would suggest listening to some of his biggest hits: Sos d’un Terrien en Détresse, La Vie ne m’apprends rien, Aimer est Plus Fort que d’être Aimé, Mon fils ma Bataille, L’Aziza, Sauver l’amour, Je ne suis pas un héros, Vivre ou survivre, Le Chanteur, and many more.
Here is my all-time favorite song of Balavoine, Tous Les Cris les SOS, with its English translation as a subtitle, enjoy!
https://youtu.be/U9aMAnEJuUU

And to celebrate the right way, here are 2 of the greatest french love songs with english translation:

Edith Piaf, l’Hymne a l’amour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Eu1F1oA5pM

Francis Cabrel, Je l’aime a mourir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOfDJKJG5zI

Edith Piaf Hymne à l'amour Lyrics & English Translation Lyrics and English translation to Edith Piaf's 1950 ''Hymne à l'amour'.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/17345/buche-de-noel/

Buche de Noel Recipe Buche de Noel is the French name for a Christmas cake shaped like a log. This one is a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream. Traditionally, Buche de Noel is decorated with confectioners' sugar to resemble snow on a Yule log.