FEAST OR FAMINE

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, and behold the marvel of Reims – a 17 th  century Venetian carousel on Rue Condorcet like a Baroque fairy tale.   This Venetian creation is an “opera in motion” complete with golden scrollwork, painted panels of mythical sea creatures, and horses that look like they’ve galloped straight out of a Botticelli painting.    The Venetian carousel has become something of a gem for Reims among its several other carousels around the city. But on Rue Condorcet, with its cobblestones and quaint cafés, it feels like the ideal home for this whimsical piece of history.  MARTINA NICOLLS MartinaNicollsWebsite    I    Rainy Day Healing    I    Martinasblogs    I    Publications    I    Facebook    I    Paris Website    I    Paris blogs    I   Animal Website    I   Flower Website   I   ...

  La Porte de Mars  – the Gate of Mars – built   at the end of the 2 nd  century, is the largest monumental arch of Roman antiquity still visible. It is a true historical treasure and a testimony to the importance of the city of Reims in the Roman Empire.   Under the central arcade, sculpted reliefs represent agricultural and wine-growing activities and work. Reims was already a city strongly defined by vines and wine. Under the eastern arcade, there is an image of a she-wolf suckling the human twins Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. According to legend, it was Remus, chased away by his brother, who founded Rome.   La Porte de Mars, listed as a historical monument in 1840, has recently been renovated.    MARTINA NICOLLS MartinaNicollsWebsite    I    Rainy Day Healing    I    Martinasblogs    I    Publications    I    Facebook    I    Paris We...

It was the last day of two exhibitions at the Regional Contemporary Art Fund –  Fonds régional d’art contemporain  (FRAC) in Reims, France, on Sunday 12 January 2025. Both were launched on 11 October 2024. One was the exhibition “Takiwa Hou: Imagining New Spaces” in collaboration with Video Club New Zealand. The other was Milan-born Viola Leddi’s exhibition “Pupille.”     Viola Leddi explores the representation of the female body in Italian art, culture, and society, as well as in Western culture in general. She uses self-representation, diaries, and drawings of adolescent girls from the archives of her friends. The title “Pupille” refers to “doll” or “little girl” in reference to how others may perceive a female.    “Takiwa Hou: Imagining New Spaces” is a collection of videos by three indigenous Maori artists from New Zealand: Russ Flatt, Kahurangiariki Smith, and Suzanne Tamaki – exploring their own futures. They use a variety of techniques, such as ...

  Reims, in the heart of Champagne country, is also home to another refined delicacy: chocolate – specifically, chocolate crafted with monastic traditions. Among the treasures of the region, for example, is the chocolate of Chocolaterie Abbaye d’Igny, blending history, spirituality, and craftsmanship.   The origins of monastic chocolate-making in Reims are deeply tied to the traditions of the Abbaye d’Igny, a Trappist monastery located near the city. The abbey’s roots go back to the 12 th  century, but its legacy as a chocolate-making center began in the 20 th  century. The Trappist nuns, known for their self-sufficient and contemplative lifestyle, began producing chocolate as a means of sustaining their abbey. The Chocolaterie Abbaye d’Igny became famous for its pralines, truffles, and other artisanal chocolate creations, which were handcrafted using traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients. Each piece reflects the monks' and nuns' meticulous care and commit...