Monthly Archives: May 2010

Armenian Dancing at the Péniche Anako

“Teach me to dance,” says the Englishman. “Dance?” replies Zorba. “Did you say dance? C’mon my boy!” Or at least that’s how I remember one of the most intense moments of the film. A sinewy Anthony Quinn leads a seemingly … Continue reading

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At Oscar Wilde’s Grave

On this hot, humid day, with the possibility of a storm lurking not too far, we–Bob and I–made it to the Pere Lachaise Cemetery.  After a long meandering walk and warm words to Balzac, Chopin and others, we arrived at … Continue reading

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The Bandoneon at the Péniche Anako

Helena Ruegg, bandonéonista extraordinaire and a Swiss musician who resides in Cologne, Germany, is seated in the center of this tiny stage on the lower level of Péniche Anako, the barge docked in the Bassin de la Villette, Quai de … Continue reading

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Carlos Fuentes on the Doubles of Paris

Preparing for travel to Paris–and beyond.  And what is there to say about Paris that has not been said before?  Is there any image of Paris which is not tainted with sentimentality and repetition? In his gem of a book, … Continue reading

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The Earth, Light: for Diran Oshagan

It is a breezy Toronto morning, the sky a searing blue.  We are gathered at the grave site, a large group of us, the remnants of the one who died forty days ago, snatched in the prime of his youth. … Continue reading

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French 1:The First Verbs

“French boils down to two things,” says B., as he adjusts the nozzle of the gas pump into my car, and waits. This is the time when we have our brief but sweet chats. We talk about many things but … Continue reading

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Mademoiselle on the Balcony

We often enter a new language in the company of a guide: a parent or relative, a  teacher, a  friend.  Lucky are those who have had a patient guide, someone who has walked a step or two ahead but always … Continue reading

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