Memo from J-P
For this page of oldquimper.com, we give the floor to Jean-Pierre, who serves as the CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of The Meadows Collection. Appointed to that position in 2007, he has gamely agreed to attempt the daunting task of taking over the duties previously fulfilled by the late, but ever-present-in-our-hearts, Porquier-Beau...whose image continues to grace the upper left corner of this link.
Jean-Pierre is fifteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-six in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
Jean-Pierre is fifteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-six in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
I was born in Paris and am thoroughly français despite paperwork that lists me as being a chat de la fôret norvégienne (Norwegian Forest Cat). My full name is Châtelain Jean-Pierre. Châtelain because being born in 2007... December 21, 2007 to be precise...means that in accordance with French regulations, my name must begin with the letter 'c'. Those born in 2008 have names that begin with a 'd', those born in 2009 have names beginning with the letter 'e' and so on.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Every once in a while I like to put the spotlight on a specific topic…it might be an unusual example of Quimper pottery or perhaps a further look at a place or structure…something that I feel will further your enjoyment of French faïence.
And then sometimes I take this opportunity to share with you some of our adventures in Quimper...because one of the results of being so gab-smacked enamored of Quimper pottery has led to the inevitable and now we live in Quimper...right in the middle of Old Town !
I'm an indoor cat, but I do see a lot from our windows and the folks are always up for an adventure. Here's a quick rundown of what we were up to last month...it will give you a bit of a taste of the sights and sounds of living in Quimper.
Last month was the time of the vibrant carnival celebrations, but to observe all the frolicking, the folks had no need to travel to Venice in Italy, New Orleans in the US or Rio de Janeiro in Brazil...or even to Annecy in eastern France which has its own colorful celebration. Just a short jaunt to Douarnenez...less than 15 miles...was all it took !
Mardi Gras in Douarnenez has a decidedly local feel ! Mardi Gras was originally intended to mark the last day before the beginning of Lent...the forty day period before Easter during which the faithful would deprive themselves as a way to honor Christ's sufferings. In Douarnenez, the religious significance is combined with a more local observation. Douarnenez was...and is...a town of fishermen and the celebration of Mardi Gras was used to also mark the end of winter during which the fishing boats found little work.
It's a five day affair in Douarnenez and the celebration begins with the hanging of the Den Paolig effigy. Den Paolig is Breton slang for "poor thing". Each year, the subject is a well-known local character who then presides over the current Carnival festivities. The event ends with the ceremonial burning of the effigy and in between there are dances and a contest featuring waiters with trays of drinks racing between local establishments on a course that requires a lot of up and down manoeuvring of the seriously slanted streets of Douarnenez. It's a fairly raucous five days !
This year's "honoree" was the beloved patron of a local "watering-hole". Known for her resemblance to Amy Winehouse, her giant likeness was ceremoniously displayed hanging from the town's central market hall.
And there she hung for the five days of Carnival in Douarnenez 2023 edition.
Another of the traditional highlights is the parade on the Sunday leading up to Mardi Gras...here's a small sampling of all the wackiness...
A flamboyance of dancing flamingos...
Musicians dressed as atypical men of the sea...
...their accordions dressed up as sardines...
The crowd loved the giant puppets...
...and the crazy outfits !
The ace of spades was there...
...along with other members of "the deck"...
There were fanciful floats squeezing through the narrow streets...
The Devil was there...
...and Mom got hugged by a really tall guy...
One of the floats had musicians in "tattoo" suits...
...complete with crazy headgear.
Everyone had a great time and continued to relive the experience as they spent the next couple of days picking confetti out of their clothes and hair !
That's my memo for this month; I hope you enjoy my sharing our adventures in Quimper!