Stories about French from May, 2010
France: Scholar Unpacks the Concept of National Identity
Reflets reposts (Fr) from newspaper Le Monde a review of “L'identité nationale, une énigme“, a book by a specialist in comparative anthology Marcel Detienne, denouncing the “mythideology” of an immanent France, whose brand of nationalism rules out interracial mixing. The author was interviewed in two videos, here and here (november...
Chez Gangoueus: A brilliant blog about African literature in French
A close runner-up for the Best of Blogs in French Award is Chez Guangoueus (fr). Réassi Ouabonzi blogs about African and diaspora literature in French from a reader's perspective since 2007. Here is an interview of him for Global Voices:
France: Questions and Controversy about ICC
EU-LOGOS blog explains why France was questioned by an Amnesty International report about its implementation in internal criminal law of the 1998 International Criminal Court status (fr). An impending bill seems to require a condition of the “usual country of residence” to be France for legal proceedings to take place.
Guinea : Waiting for Presidential Elections
Hope mixed with anxiety reign in Guinea with the presidential elections to be held on June 27, 2010. These elections are the first free elections in Guinea since its independence. The following is a retrospective of the recent events and a review of bloggers' reactions.
France : A Legal Review of the Burqa Ban Bill
A lawyers blog Mieux connaître vos droits en Europe ponders the legal aspects of the French burqa ban bill (fr). Earlier, the blog also posted the main points of the bill and a survey of reactions from officials (fr).
Algeria ,France: Film “Of Gods and Men” Sparks Conversation about Spirituality, Terrorism
Cannes 2010 award-winning film "Of Gods and Men" discusses the killings of the French monks of Tibhirine monastery in 1996. The movie sparks various reactions, from praises to spiritual debates, from bloggers in Algeria, France and around the world.
Secularism in France from a Foreigner's Perspective
Art Goldhammer, from French Politics blog, links to Eric Fassin‘s article in Le Monde (fr) and the NSAE's blog quotes in extenso from the article that describes French secularism in the style of the Persian Letters (fr).
Bloggers React to Gunfights and Change in Government in Madagascar
Gunfights in Antananarivo and yet another change in the government shook Madagascar the past week. Bloggers react:
France : At Cannes Film Festival, Hors-La-Loi Addresses Taboo, Raises Controversy
"Hors-La-Loi", a film directed by award-winning director Rachid Bouchareb, stirred up quite a controversy before and after its showing at the Cannes Film Festival. The film addresses the often dividing history of Algeria-France relations after the killings of Setif. Bloggers' reactions to the film are reviewed in this article.
Eto'o's Success Lifting Cameroon ‘s Hope
After the success of his Italian club Inter Milan in the UEFA European Champions League, Cameroonian football star Samuel Eto'o is the toast of the town and his country. Cameroonian bloggers are proud of the accomplishment of their star player and hope that the momentum of his success can carry on for Cameroon at the World Cup.
Madagascar: Video of Gun Battles between Rival Armed Forces
Malagasy blogger MyDago posted a video of the clash between the army and dissident police forces in Antananarivo today (May,20th 2010).
Madagascar: Violence Erupts Between Army and Dissident Police Unit
On May, 20th 2010, sustained gun battles between rival armed forces lasted for an hour in the capital city of Madagascar, Antananarivo. The ongoing political crisis has once again erupted into violence as a report from the local Red Cross states that at least three people were wounded in the...
MENA: International Day Against Homophobia Celebrated
May 17th marks the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is still a region for concern according to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (IGLA), as homosexual acts are still legally punishable in all MENA countries with the exception of Israel. Despite this, there are associations in the region which openly and passionately celebrated IDAHO; Katharine Ganly takes a look at some of the major events in the region.
Côte d'Ivoire – Ghana: Friends and Foes at World Cup 2010
Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana will be the two nations representing the West African region at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. For the first time, the World Cup will be hosted on African soil and therefore will provide tremendous incentives for African nations to excel on the brightest of...
Reactions to the Greek Financial Crisis and the IMF from the Africansphere
With the challenges facing the Greek economy and the ensuing intervention from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reactions from African bloggers range from cautionary tales from past experiences to lessons that ought to be learned for their own regions.
Madagascar Leader Rajoelina Drops from Presidential Running
Madagascar transitional president Andry Rajoelina announced in a statement on national radio that he will not be a candidate for the presidential elections scheduled on November 26th, 2010 (fr). Achille in Madagascar hopes that this decision will help the international community decide to financially support democratic elections (fr).
Belgium: Comic Strip “Tintin in the Congo” Faces Ban Over Racism
Tintin in the Congo, the second of The Adventures of Tintin, a series of classic comic-strip albums, written and illustrated by Belgian writer and illustrator Hergé and featuring young reporter Tintin as a hero, faces ban over racism. On his blog Alain Mabanckou thinks that «Tintin must remain as a proof...
Haiti: Preval's Term Extended
The Haitian blogosphere has been buzzing about the modification of the Haitian electoral law, which would enable President Preval to remain in power longer (should the elections not be held this November). Here are RadioKiskeya's and Haiti RectoVerso's posts [Fr] on the issue.
Guadeloupe: “No to Violence” Day
In Guadeloupe, both Bondamanjak and Anba pyé mango-la post the announcement of an event designed to say “Yes to peace, No to violence” on May 8th, 2010.
Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana: Nestlé Going Local
Blogger Anba pyé mango-la [Fr/Fr Cr] is sharing skeptical opinions about the new moves of multinational food company Nestlé towards the adaptation of local products and recipes from the French Caribbean.
Tunisia: A Black Day for Bloggers
Several Tunisian blogs, even those which have been inactive for months, have been blocked by the authorities for "no reason." Lina Ben Mhenni brings us the story.
