Monday 9th February

This weekend has seen the inauguration of the new Mairie and the Place Culturel.  It had taken eighteen months and must have cost a lot, much of the money coming from Central Government and possibly Europe.  When we came here nearly three years ago the Mairie was pretty shabby and there was a tatty looking hall called Salle Polyvalente next door; we hardly ever saw it open and it didn’t look at all inviting.  Now they have a beautiful couple of buildings with wheelchair access and smart blue lights.  We wen t on Saturday night to the first ‘concert’ in the new Espace Culturel.  Now of course if this were in England it would be privately owned and let out at over a thousand pounds a night; after all unless something make money why on earth would we countenance its existence?  Where we are on the Isle of Dogs with a population probably twenty times the size of Eymet there is nothing.  But here in a really small town they have their very own Espace Culturel.  There will be Opera and Music both classical and modern and films will be shown, and even a sort of circus is coming soon.

But last night showed us just what the French mean about Culture; it isn’t visiting Orchestra’s or famous singers – this is the people of Eymet simply expressing themselves and having a good time.  The seats were a deep red and brand new and very comfortable, entry was of course free – we were en France après tout.  A clown was the MC and entertained us for a few minutes.  The first ‘act’ was a trio of teenage girls who were a pop group; guitar, drums and keyboard.  They sang and played four numbers.  It was really quaint, they could barely play really but what they lacked in ability they made up for in enthusiasm and their last number was a quite creditable rendition of “Hey Jude” which got the audience singing.

Next up was the local school choir singing a few numbers to backing tapes.  Not at all bad and they were obviously so proud to be performing on a real stage in a real theatre.  Then came the part of the show we had come for.  Les Danseurs, including our very good friends Graham and Maxine.  It was actually rather good.  The teacher is seventy and a great dancer and her partner is seventy-six, and they did two solo’s.  There were a few ensemble line dancing numbers and a few waltzes, a great jive and a very sultry and sexy Argentinian Tango.  It was really good fun.

It was a celebration of ordinary people, and this is what the French mean by Culture, it is about inclusion and not about a sort of elite meritocracy.  We felt a real part of the town (and it’s culture) and are so glad we went.