Friday 15 July 2011

Nuits Romanes

Last Friday, I went with my neighbours to the "Nuit Romanes" held in the 800 year old church of Saint Maixent in nearby Vitrac St Vincent.  The name means the "Roman Arts" (see Here) (Merci Vagabonde for the info) or some people think it is "Romantic Nights" and for the seventh consecutive year, these cultural events (all free of charge!!) are being held at 100, yes one hundred!! different church and abbey venues throughout Poitou-Charentes (our department/county/state) during July and August. Culture is rightly very important to the French, they are determined to incorporate their ancient buildings in the celebrations and the high public demand ensures that each show is very well supported. At our event, the church was packed. We arrived early and managed to get seats for the first part of the two part show, but there were many later arrivals crammed into extra seats and standing space at the back of the small building.

The first part was musical, led by Matthew Saglio , a young and very  talented cellist.  I did not think this would be my type of music at all, but I was intrigued by his skill and the music he produced; it was a very magical and romantic moment in memorable surroundings.  The whole show was in "son et lumiere" (sound and light) style - music with changing lighting effects.  I am afraid that my photos are not very good, as not only was it dark, but I was not able to use the flash.  I am sure, though, that the following will give you some idea.


The second part of the show was outside on a flat grassy area down by the river, and featured a group of fire dancers, two women and two men.  Luckily it was a beautiful, but cool, evening, and although I  had a jacket on, there were many people simply in short sleeves!  Again I regret that the photography does not do justice to the skillful presentation; besides it being dark, the movements were so fast, it was difficult to capture adequate pictures with my little camera.  I did take some videos, but because my internet connection is so slow, it is impossible to load them on this post.



There was also a film show outside the church which showed the history of the church and of Vitrac, and I believe that afterwards there was also a chance to taste some of the local farm produce - conventionally cheese and wine!  As I was with friends, and they were ready to leave after the fire dancing, I missed the tasting opportunity, but nevertheless, it was well after 23h00 when I was dropped off at my front door. I am not aware of anything like this, certainly not on this scale, in the UK and I'll be keeping the event in my diary for next year!!!

For further information see http://www.nuitsromanes.poitou-charentes.fr/ 

76 comments:

  1. Wow, what a beautiful evening. Music, lights all there. I think your photography is great and thank you for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think your photos look great - it sounds like a really great evening. xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello Diane:
    How absolutely magical. We should have loved the entire evening and your pictures, despite what you say, give a very good impression of both the ways in which the interior of the church was lit for the cellist and of the fire dancers outside afterwards.

    No, we know of nothing similar to this and certainly not, sadly, in the UK. Would you like visitors for next year?!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. MARCO PASHA thanks for the kind comments it was a really superb evening, I just wish the photos had been better! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  5. Diane it was a really magical evening I was surprised how much I enjoyed the music. Hope all well t'other Diane x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jane and Lance, see you next year..... Thanks for the kind comments Diane

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, Diane, what beautiful sharing here! You might have seen more and experienced more, but your pictures are enough for us to drool over such beautiful 'romantic night'.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a super duper evening, and the photos gave a flavour as to what was going on. You sound like you have some good friends as well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Your photos are perfect, because the flash would have washed out the colors, which were a great part of the show! Glad you enjoyed yourself so immensely!

    (And for me, 2300h is early. I routinely go to bed between 3AM and 5AM, night owl that I am. School mornings are very hard, with Ryan in high school these days, but I'm free until September!)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Glad to see that you have some very fine evening on a Friday. The pictures are exiting especially the fire dance.

    I like the new look of your blog and I have been working on my blog with some changes and was pretty busy. Could not visit my regular followers and hopefully I will pay more attention to visit all of you more often.

    Also like your favicon and I am trying to make one for my blog too.

    Cruise Pictures

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks like a very enjoyable evening...just my style!! Your photos actually are quite good...

    ReplyDelete
  12. Look like you had a fun evening, good for you.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm sure you're having such a wonderful time. Wish I was there too. The lighting is super gorgeous. Hope you're having a great weekend.
    Kristy

    ReplyDelete
  14. A magical night out! I am sure it was a brilliant performance!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow! It looks like you are all having a magical time. The photos are pretty good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't think that any other country does these types of public events like the French. As you rightly say, they embrace culture as very few others do. It sounded like a fantastic evening.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What a wonderful evening - the cello is the most beautiful instrument - it sounded a very special event
    Mary x

    ReplyDelete
  18. Think the pics give a good impression. Sounds like a really really good evening!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Rosaria, glad you enjoyed the pictures.

    Vera it was a lovely evening and yes I am so lucky with my French neighbours.

    Thanks Marjie for your comment. Re going to bed 'early' It would not be much good for me to go to bed between 3 and 5 am as I normally get up at at 5 am!!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sailor I can still not get into your Cruise Pictures, the message of Malware has been detected will not let me go any further!! Afraid it is still there. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  21. Deb from WhatsInMyAttic - glad you enjoyed the photos, I really thought that they were not that good! Diane

    Sonia it really was a fun evening, you are right. Diane

    Kristy it was an amazing evening. You have a good weekend also. Diane

    Liesl, it really was quite magical, When do you come to Paris? Diane

    ReplyDelete
  22. Joyful thanks for the kind comments, even I am beginning to think the pictures were better than I first thought!! Take care Diane

    Craig it was a wonderful evening and it is fantastic that all these cultural events are free as well. Diane

    Mary Mum's Kitchen, I don't think I have ever listened to a single cello on its own before like that, I was VERY impressed. Diane

    Niall & Antoinette, it was a good evening, thanks for the comment. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Diane,
    Sometimes those unexpectedly good times are amongst the best! I enjoyed reading and seeing it - thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  24. GaynorB perhaps you are right as I was expecting to be bored!!! I was anything but :-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  25. What nice and beauty pictures!! Did you visit Ree she had her baby and have nice pictures! I think Im see you in her blog! x gloria

    ReplyDelete
  26. What a beautiful event to attend to.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks Torviewtoronto the lighting was very effective in the church. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  28. Gloria thanks so much for your visit and comments. Yes I saw that Ree has had her baby, she must be delighted that all went well in the end. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  29. chubskulit you are right it was a beautiful event, thanks for your comment. Take care. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  30. Brilliant... In every way!!
    Must have been thrilling to watch!
    Your area seems to organize great attractions!
    Cheers, Diane!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wow, that was one heck of a light show. So beautiful to have so many amazing places close to hand and that they band to gether to celebrate the neighborhood, well, priceless!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Noushka it was superb, I thoroughly enjoyed the spectacular evening, thrilling is the right word Diane xx

    ReplyDelete
  33. lostpastremembered thanks for the kind comments. I think we are so lucky with the shows we have around here. We missed the Bastille day celebrations sadly this year as Nigel arrived the day of the celebrations. He was simply too tired to handle a late night. Never mind we will make up for it next year:-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  34. That looks like a very nice show! What a great idea. And free - that is amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sarah almost all the entertainment and night shows around here are for free. They are always brilliant. We are very lucky. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  36. Thanks JM, it was something of a challenge with a cheap camera! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  37. Diane, your photos are great and I bet you had a fabulous time. It had to be a fantastic evening, beautiful music and a wonderful show. And great that you arrived early!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Pam it was a fabulous evening and I am also glad we were there early, any further back and I would never have got any photos!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  39. You did very good with the pictures..it is hard when you can't us a flash..What a wonderful time it must have been..You know, the best things in life are free..because they just want to share their wonderful talent/dances/food/drink..Fire dance reminded me of Hawaii..xoCarolyn

    ReplyDelete
  40. The fire dancers are really amazing. What a form of art!
    The pictures look great! Loved reading your post.
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Diane, this looks to have been such a wonderful evening just the sort of event we would have enjoyed attending ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
  42. hi diane, no worries on the photos, they are fine.Looking at the photos, i'm sure those performers put up a good show! missed the wine? never mind, i'm sure you will have lots of opportunities doing that!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. What an excellent opportunity for a community to have fun, enjoy themselves, and see local talents.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Diane, How I wish I was there with you! I know I will enjoy seeing the show.

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a fantastic evening!

    ReplyDelete
  46. The photos were amazing. They show such a movement of effects from your camera or just the atmosphere there. What an experience seeing the fire dancers. Really an art form! You are having a lovely summer it seems Diane. France is such a wonderful place for your future retirement. I'm off to read more of your posts I have missed :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. wow ;) it looks so much fun and with so many activities going on, I wish I can be there too. Hope you are having a great week. hugs...MK

    ReplyDelete
  48. Rosebud Collection thanks for the very kind comments. I have never been to Hawaii but if this is a reminder then it must be good there:-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  49. Purabi Naha the fire dancers were amazing, I would be sure to catch my clothes alight if I tried anything like that!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  50. Linda we are lucky I think ,as you are in Italy. There is so much more going on in these countries than anywhere else I have lived. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  51. Lena I can wine taste every day here in France so it was no great loss Ha ha. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  52. Olga there is always something going on in the community at this time of the year. The schools are on holiday for July and August so they try to cram more in than usual! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  53. Quay Po Cooks it would have been fun if you could have joined us..... Have a good week, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  54. Pam you are right it was a fantastic evening. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  55. Suz you have been so busy I am sure that you have not had time to even think about blogs. I hope that life is slowly getting back to normal for you though restoration never seems to end!!! We hope that our full retirement is very close. The house in the UK is on the market, sadly it is not a good time to sell but we have fingers crossed xx Diane

    ReplyDelete
  56. M.Kate it really was so much fun, and the company was good. You also have a good week. Take care Diane

    ReplyDelete
  57. It looks like a lot of fun! i like the photos!

    Cheers,
    Yas
    www.tickle-your-tastebuds.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. Au contraire! Je pense que ta photograhie capte l'essence de cette nuit magique :) X

    ReplyDelete
  59. Wow - that looks amazing! If only I was closer - I could have come visit (and cook for you!!!) Thanks for your lovely comments - it's great to know I have friends out there in cyberspace!!!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I would really enjoy such and event and I really got a good feel of the experience from your writing and the photos too. I imagine the lighting show and beautiful surroundings really did bring the music alive. I would have definitely wanted to partake of the tasting session afterwards though!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Thanks for your words. I love these shots taken in the dark.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks Yasmin despite me thinking the photos were not good everybody seems more than happy with them :-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  63. Merci beaucoup Dolly. J'espère que vous êtes bien. A très bientôt. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  64. Cate I also wish I was closer, I would happily help you out from time to time so you get your space when you need it. Thanks for your kind comments. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  65. Froggy it would have been fun to go with you, we could have both enjoyed the tasting session afterwards after a very enjoyable evening. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  66. anni, thanks, I surprise myself from time to time with my cheap camera!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  67. What a magical show indeed Diane! A very interesting cultural presentation of the French in this part of the country. I wish I was there to see it first hand like you did but with your wonderful photos and description, I see more beautifully in my imagination. Thanks for sharing this spectacular show! Cheers!!!

    ReplyDelete
  68. michelangelo so glad that you enjoyed this post. I wish all my bloger friends had been with to see this, we could have had a fantastic party :-) Diane

    ReplyDelete
  69. This is quite a nice show, Diane.

    ReplyDelete
  70. What a fun event. The show looks spectactular!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Indie.Tea It really was a spectacular show, thanks for the visit. Diane

    ReplyDelete
  72. J'aurai bien aimé y mettre.
    De belles photos.
    See soon.

    ReplyDelete
  73. It looks like a great time Diane. Love all the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  74. Lyndsey it was a great evening, thanks for the comment. Diane

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and pass a comment. Every comment is appreciated and I try to reply to each and every one. All comments are verification free but will come to me for approval first :-)) No Anonymous Users!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.