“The “”Found Generation”” — The New Literary Paris Legends”

Every now and then I stop in at Shakespeare and Company to bring Sylvia a fresh supply of “Paris Confidentials,” say hello, peruse the titles and spend the money she’s just given me for the books that were sold.

If you’ve ever been to Paris, then it’s likely that along with visiting the Eiffel Tower, you paid a visit to this legendary bookshop. Sylvia Beach Whitman carries on the tradition started by 29-year-old Sylvia Beach who, on the fateful day of Monday, November 17, 1919, opened the doors of Paris’ first English-language bookstore at 8 rue Dupuytren, not long after to move to 12 rue de l’Odéon.

Shakespeare and Company quickly became the meeting place, library, bookstore and publishing house for the “Lost Generation” — the successful and soon to be successful writers who sat in Paris cafés, exchanged intellectual dialogue in salons, and published experimental work that had been rejected in their home countries. James Joyce published “Finnegan’s Wake” and “Ulysses” out of Sylvia Beach’s Shakespeare and Company.

The German occupation of Paris led to the closing of the bookshop and Shakespeare and Company soon became history. Her legacy continued when in 1951, a man named George Whitman purchased an old Arab grocery store on rue de la Bûcherie and transformed the space into the Librairie Mistral, which, in honor of Sylvia, was renamed Shakespeare and Company in 1964. Playing an important role in successive waves of expatriate writers, the store still thrives, acting as a major meeting place for writers in the current community.

George Whitman is legendary in his own right — now a cantankerous, eccentric 90-year-old man who can often be found in the window of the upper level of the shop, sometimes dressed almost comically, gray hair flying wildly in all directions, peering at the world below and out over the Seine. Kristin Jackson of the Seattle Times recently wrote about seeing Whitman spit on the sidewalk below! One of the many things we can admire him for is his 23-year-old daughter he appropriately named Sylvia Beach Whitman.

Sylvia ended her studies in London two years ago and then with the energy and optimism of the first Sylvia Beach, took over the running of the shop, in spite of her father’s reluctance to let go of the legend he nurtured. When you meet Sylvia for the first time and for every time thereafter (at least if you have the same reaction I have), you will be enthralled with her beauty, her sparkling blue eyes, her enormous energy, sweet nature and overwhelming enthusiasm. She treats the shop like she would her newborn…recently adding new track lighting, opening the shop to Monday evening poetry readings, sponsoring literary festivals, hosting film screenings and opening the shop and herself to anything the literary community asks of her. Her good-looking young boyfriend helps man the desk and she continues to have volunteers sleep there and help maintain the unusual late hours of the shop.

What impresses me most about Sylvia is that I am sure she will be one of Paris’ most important leaders of the literary community. In fact, she already is a beacon of light to all of us Anglophones who have even a touch of sentimentalism toward the Lost Generation and all they aspired for themselves here in Paris. But Sylvia is certainly not lost, except perhaps among her overflowing bookshelves…and we are so thrilled to have found her.

“There is more real Shakespeare in Paris right now than
there has been in Stratford-on-Avon in one hundred years.”
– Sylvia Beach

Footnote: Shakespeare and Company, 37, rue de la Bûcherie, 5th, http://www.shakespeareco.org/, [email protected] Open 11 a.m. to midnight.

A la prochaine…

 

Adrian Leeds
Editor, Parler Paris
E-mail: [email protected]

P.S. Please note that Parler Parlor is closed Saturday, August 14th for Assomption.

P.P.S. Don’t miss tonight’s showing of “Charade” as part of the Cinéma au Claire de Lune, 9:30 p.m. at the Jardins du Trocadéro (facing the fountains) / M° Trocadéro, http://www.forumdesimages.net

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Further resources:
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* An Luxury Paris Pied-à-Terre Can Be Yours

* The Insider Guide for Novelists, Journalists, Poets, Dreamers and Doers Alike!

* Practice speaking French and English with people from all over the world!

* Learn how to live and invest in France! Meet with us in Washington, DC this September.

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If you wish your community announcement to be listed in the Parler Paris Previews, please provide the text in ENGLISH just as you’d like it to appear and send it to I

[email protected] We reserve the right to edit as necessary.

Thank you, Adrian

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Strictly Entertainment: Comedy, Plays, Movies
********************

GREG’S PROOPS
Thursday, August 19th, 8:30 p.m.
Hôtel du Nord
102 quai de Jemmapes
Paris 10th
Tickets only available on the night, payment in cash: 20 euros (17 euros for students/old age pensioners/SLM card holders)
Please book by email or phone 01 53 19 98 88 as soon as possible because it already looks like this is a sold out show!

COMEDY IN SEPTEMBER
Jimeoin September 6 and 7
Phil kay September 19, 20 and 21
Tickets on the night 20 euros, advance payment 17 euros
send checks to Beer Necessities (tickets)
104 quai de Jemmapes
Paris 75010 + stamped adressed envelope at least ten days before date of show.Book all shows by calling 01.53.19.98.88 or by email
[email protected] or http://www.anythingmatters.com

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MOVING PARTS PLAY READINGS IN ENGLISH

Carr’s Pub & Restaurant
1 rue du Mont Thabor, 75001 Paris
Métro: Tuileries
Sundays 7:30 p.m.

12th September Barratt Walton “Buddha’s Aunt”
3rd October Lance Tait (tba)
7th November Linda Healey “Masks”
21st November Jon Allen Russo “Farce Noir”
5th December Shena Wilson (tba)

To receive the monthly mailings email [email protected]
For further information contact: http://www.scamparis.com or call Stephanie Campion on: 06.14.67.18.58

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Musical Interludes
********************

CONCERTS AT LES 7 LÉZARDS
7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Concerts
For all details and more information, visit
http://www.7lezards.com/welcome.htm

SUNDAYS AT THE 7 LÉZARDS!
With the Dominique Fitte-Duval Quartet
Free Entry

ALL OTHER SHOWS:

Wednesday 11 August
STEVE POTTS AND HIS BOOGAH BAND

Jeudi 12 August
STEVE POTTS AND HIS BOOGAH BAND

Friday 13 August
ACHILLE GAJO TRIO

Saturday 14 August
ACHILLE GAJO TRIO

Friday 20 August
NAT JONES QUARTET

Saturday 21 August
NAT JONES QUARTET

Wednesday 25 August
JOBIC LE MASSON

Jeudi 26 August
YASMINE

Friday 27 August
STEFAN VASNIER trio

Friday 27 August
MAJOR MINOR
Joan Minor sings

Saturday 28 August
FREDERIC LOISEAU trio

Sunday 29 August
HILDEGARDE VANSLAWE

Mardi 31 August
NICOLA SABATO trio

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Paul Kelly
Sunday, August 29th, 8 p.m.
Tickets on night 25 euros in advance 22 euros…
http://www.paulkelly.com.au
Hôtel Du Nord
102 quai de Jemmapes
Paris 10th

Chris Whitley
Monday, August 30th, 8:30 p.m.
Tickets on night 22 euros advance payment 20 euros
La Java
105 faubourg du Temple
Paris 10th

Jack Tempchin
A peaceful easy evening at The Sound Gallery
104 quai de Jemmapes
Paris 10th
Friday, September 24th, 8:30 p.m.
Email Karel Beer for more information: [email protected]

Jesse Malin
Tuesday, October 6th, 8:30 p.m.
Tickets on night 22 euros advance payment 20 euros
La Java
105 faubourg du Temple
Paris 10th

Reservations for all concerts 01.53.19.98.88 FNAC/VIRGIN etc.
Book all shows by calling 01.53.19.98.88 or by email
[email protected] or http://www.anythingmatters.com

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CONCERTS ON THE GREEN

Enjoy free concerts of all types of music in the open air in lots of Paris’ greenest spots! Visit http://www.paris.fr/fr/environnement/jardins/animations_jardins/concerts_jardins/default.asp for more information

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Bonnes Soirées and Great Gatherings
********************

Parler Paris Après-Midi
/parlerparis/apresmidi.html

NEXT MEETING: No Après Midi Meeting in August. September 14th, 2004 AND EVERY SECOND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is your opportunity to meet every month, often with local
professionals who can answer your Working and Living in France
questions. You are invited to come for drinks and share your questions
and comments about what it takes to create a life here, own property
and enjoy what France has to offer. It is also an opportunity to
network with other Parler Paris readers.

Upstairs at La Pierre du Marais
96, rue des Archives at the corner of rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris
Métro Lines 9, 3 et 11, stations Temple, République or Arts et Métiers

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PARIS SOIRÉE DINNERS EVERY SUNDAY

Patricia Laplante-Collins has international dinner parties on the Ile St-Louis. She hosts a 21st Century Paris Salon where you meet interesting people in Paris and have a lot of fun. There is always a Guest speaker, perhaps a Writer, Actor, Historian — you name it, Patricia hosts them all. For reservations or to be on the mailing list: call 01 43 26 12 88 or write [email protected]

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Knowledge is Power — Conferences, Workshops and Seminars
********************

Paint or Draw Portraits and Self Portraits with American Portrait
Artist Kathy Burke in her beautiful Marais atelier…

245 Euros 3-hour private session
490 Euros 3-hour session with 2 to 6 people
Includes all materials.

For more information, [email protected]

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The International Living Paris Office Presents Our Upcoming
Conferences to Make Your Dream to Live in France Come True…
/frenchproperty/conference/index.html

If you’ve always dreamed of moving to France, starting a new life in Paris, enjoying a “pied-à-terre” of your own part of the year or investing in property in France, these power-packed conferences are a
MUST. Hosted by the International Living Paris Office and Adrian Leeds, Editorial Director and Editor of the Parler Paris daily newsletter, these few days will arm you with all the information you need to make it happen! The line-up for the conferences include seminars, discussions, dinners, cocktails — with well-known Paris, Europe and U.S.-based experts.

Choose the one that’s right for you!…

*** Working and Living in France
Paris, France
Home Plazza Bastille
June 18 – 20, 2004
For more information:
/frenchproperty/conference/wlif/wlif_home.html

*** Living and Investing in France
Washington, DC
September 10 – 12, 2004
Washington, DC
For more information:
/frenchproperty/conference/LIF_DC/LIF_DC_home.html

Plus…
Dinner and Virtual Tour of Paris with Thirza
/frenchproperty/conference/LIF_DC/LIF_DC_dinner_tour.html

Plus…
Walking Tour of French-Speaking DC
/frenchproperty/conference/LIF_DC/LIF_DC_walking_tour.html

Plus…
Single in the City of Light
(And Loving It!) with Adrian Leeds
/frenchproperty/conference/LIF_DC/LIF_DC_single.ht

*** Working and Living in France Conference and Discovery Tour
Provence/Languedoc-Roussillon, France
October 30 – November 6, 2004
/frenchproperty/conference/prov_lang_2004/prov_lang_2004_home.html

*** Read what our past participants have to say about our Paris Office
Conferences and Tours…
/frenchproperty/conference/conferencements.html

Reservations and information:

If you’d like to know more about the conferences or reserve your
place, visit /frenchproperty/conference/index.html or
email Schuyler Hoffman: Special Conference Coordinator
Toll Free in the U.S. 1-877-457-2747
Email: [email protected]

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Learning la Langue Française
********************

Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group
http://www.parlerparlor.com

YOUR FIRST TIME IS FREE! OPEN ALL SUMMER LONG. CLOSED AUGUST 14TH FOR HOLIDAYS.

Join us at the Parler Parlor conversation group in Paris France for free-form conversation with native French and English speakers. Practice speaking 45 minutes in French, 45 minutes in English. Make friends, discuss interesting topics, learn about other cultures, progress in understanding and speaking, naturally and easily, in
groups of six to eight, each in its own acoustically sound private room.

PARLOR TIMES — 3 TIMES A WEEK IN TWO LOCATIONS

Tuesdays 6:30 to 8 p.m.

BERLITZ OPERA
38 Avenue de l’Opéra
2nd arrondissement, Paris
Opéra, RER A Auber

Wednesdays 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

AT EUROCENTRES
13 passage Dauphine (entrance between rue Dauphine and rue Mazarine),
6th arrondissement
Métro Odéon, Saint-Michel

MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL INFORMATION
http://www.parlerparlor.com
Email: [email protected]
Elisabeth Crochard, Tel: 01 44 19 76 61
Adrian Leeds, Tel: 01 40 27 97 59

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The Sporting Life
********************

Till August 29t, 22 of the 27 public swimming pools are open. Consult
http://www.paris.fr/fr/sport/actualites/piscines_ete2004.asp for more information.

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New! Reserve your public tennis court by Internet!
Visit http://www.paris.fr/fr/sport/tennis/default.asp for more information.

********************
What’s On in The City of Light
********************

Paris Plage
July 21 – August 20, 2004
http://www.paris.fr/fr/actualites/ete_paris_2004/Paris_plage_2004/default.asp

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Paris Quartier d’Eté
July 14 – August 15, 2004
249 events in 45 different places around the city
http://www.quartierdete.com

02/08 Solo -Philippe Decouflé – Danse (Jardins de Tuileries 1st)
04/08 Walk Man. 3 (at N° 32 quai Henri IV 4th)
05/08 Tao of Martial – Spectacle Musical (Jardins de Tuileries 1st)
12/08 Le Vif du Sujet – Danse (Arènes de Montmartre 18°)
14/08 Entre Chiens et Loups – Cirque Pocheros (Cour du Maroc 18th)

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Sous la Plage
June 20 – September 19, 2004
Four Sundays and so concerts on the lawns of the Parc André-Citroën
http://www.soulaplage.com

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Cinéma en Plein Air à la Villette
July 16 – August 29, 2004
14th edition of free films in the open air on the big inflatable screen at Parc de la Villette
http://www.villette.com

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Cinéma au Clair de Lune
August 4 – 26, 2004
Free films in the open air set in appropriate spots in Paris
http://www.forumdesimages.net

Wednesday, August 1lth, 9:30 p.m.
American Film: Charade by Stanley Donen
with Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Coburn

Jardins du Trocadéro (facing the fountains) / M° Trocadéro

Thrusday, August 26th, 9:30 p.m.
American Film: Is Paris Burning?
with Alain Delon, Kirk Douglas, Simon Signoret, Eves Montand, Antony Perkins

Parvis de l’Hôtel de Ville, M° Hôtel de Ville

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Special Announcements
********************

Because traffic is so greatly reduced the month of August, more than 80% of the parking places in Paris will be free of charge! To consult the list, visit
http://www.paris.fr/fr/Deplacements/Stationnement/ete2004/

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FIRST ANNUAL WICE BOOK FAIR BENEFIT
In conjunction with Studio Arts Open House

Do you have books to donate? Contribute your books to the Fair and we will pick them up!
Please contact John Baxter at 01.43.54.25.74

Biggest English-Language Weekend Book Fair in Paris
Thousands of Books — starting at 50 centimes
Signed first editions, paperbacks, rare books, children’s books, DVDs, CDs, including books from the libraries of Diane Johnson, Mavis Gallant, C.K. Williams, E.L. Doctrow, Carolyn Kizer, Robert Harris and many more. Not to be missed!

Saturday, October 16th from 2:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. (auction at 6:00)
Sunday, October 17th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WICE
20 bd du Montparnasse
75015 Paris
Métro Duroc

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~~~~~~~

THE WALLACE FOUNTAINS

There are 108 Wallace Fountains with potable water all around Paris streets, square and gardens.

In 1872, Sir Richard Wallace, donated 50 drinking fountains to be established at the most useful points for public refreshment. Installation started in 1875; the first fountain was placed on boulevard de la Villette. The city quickly installed an additional 30 and today there are 108.

For a complete list of locations, visit
http://www.paris.fr/fr/environnement/eau/fontaines_wallace/default.asp

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Classified Ads
********************

VACATION APARTMENT

Two-Bedroom Apartment Available September 4 – 14, 2004
Located in a 17th century Le Marais Hotel Particulier, this 70 square meter apartment two-bedroom apartment with lots of light is nicely furnished and is perfect for a single woman in the freshly renovated guest room when owner Adrian Leeds is in or for up to 4 people when she’s traveling.

Pictures and more details available here: /parlerparis/apartments/rentals/leeds.html

********************

VACATION APARTMENT

Livingstone Luxury Penthouse Condo
Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2 to 4

Beautiful completely renovated apartment is located on the 7th and top floor (with elevator) of a typical 1930’s Parisian building on rue Livingstone in Montmartre. From inside the apartment there is a spectacular view of sky, Parisian rooftops and all of Sacre Coeur. Montmartre is known as one of the most romantic spots in Paris, and the lovely view from this penthouse apartment will certainly help to confirm this. Email Erica Berman for more information.

********************

VACATION APARTMENT

Luxury 3 bedroom 107m2 Apartment
rue de Grenelle with Eiffel tower view
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: up to 6 guests

This beautiful quiet newly renovated 107m2 (about 1070 square feet) luxurious three bedroom left bank Paris apartment on the 4th floor (with elevator) is situated in the heart of the chic 7th arrondissement in Paris. Email Erica Berman for more information.