In Paris there’re many people dancing: hip-hop, african dances, salsa. Many people dancing tango. And they are mad about it.
Tango is a dance of Paris. Free milongas were held on Parisien quays before it had been prohibited. Dances outdoors need ensurance, and City hall is ready to sponsor it. But there’s no person who would take responsibility for events on him/herself.
But Parisiens dance: in clubs and dancing schools, on boats and squares. Yesterday in front of Basilique de Saint-Denis GOTAN project performed their “Tango 3.0“. I’m not a fan of tango. But that was awesome: passionate, fresh, powerful.
The square of the plendid gothic cathedral was a theatre of tango stories. That amazes me in Paris – how old and new, history and moment co-exist in harmony here.
It was freezing but I stayed till the end of the concert.
Paris is infused by art. This city is full of talented people, inspiration and freedom. France appreciates her artists and provides them all kinds of benefits.
The exibition in Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix de Ménilmontant. It was a pleasant surprise to find these figures in a cathedral!
This spirit dwells squares and streets, parks and metro stations. Paris sings and plays – mostly in the evenings. But street paintings you can admire all the day round.
So I went to Rue de Menilmontant. There I’ve found many people in a hurry, street paintings and another gothic cathedral – Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix de Ménilmontant.
Église Notre-Dame-de-la-Croix de Ménilmontant
Another place where you can find plenty of street paintings is Belleville (walking distance from Menilmontant). Just to the right and again right from metro Belleville there’s a street that’s fully painted with graffiti.
Belleville
There I met Kouka, the artist and just a very open person. He invited me to his exibition “Identite” on rue de Ricardie, and I will definitely visit it.
Kouka’s africans
This is another reason I adore Paris. People are so open and easy-going here. Today just for one hour I met and exchanged contacts with two wonderful and interesting personalities. Why doesn’t it happen in Saint-Petersburg?
Aliens dancing on a street of BellevilleMafia of Belleville
If this would be an ad page I would write: Stay artistic! Visit Paris : )
Life law: if everything goes the worst way, relax and smile ‘coz afterwards will be definitely better.
So you won’t be surprised that being stuck at the airport turned to become a nice adventure. I was hungry and asked for exchange for the automat. This is how I met Roberto, Dominican who lives in States. He was travelling in Norway and everywhere made funny photos… with small wooden chair : ) I know many people travelling with toys but a guy with a chair I met the first time in my life! On parisien map we write a message to the dwellers of night Charle-de-Gaulle: “The little chair needs change”. Finally a Chilean girl bought us cookies. Marsella became a third person of our small company.
21.06. – La Fete de la Musique. Evening of this day is full of music of all kinds. Stages and musicians are everywhere. Concerts and parties are held in every bar, on every square. While walking, I was diving from one song to another. Sounds crossed, melodies waved, voices resonate. People gathered around artists, danced and drank. Atmosphere!
In the afternoon I went to Sacre Coeur – the place where I was so happy the last September. Nothing has really changed there. Street artists, many tourists and stunning view of Paris. I met my friends, played drum a little bit, listened to Youri‘s songs. And felt as if hadn’t left Sacre Coeur…
The basilique du Sacre Coeur on top of Montmartre - the center of the world.
My friend Faouzy invited me to the concert of his band Bato Loko in L’Italian style cafe. So this was a place where I ended up on La Fete de la Musique.
Warm evening, sunny music, cheerful people from over the world, dancing salsa – I was at home around 5am : )
So if you like music, parties, dancing – come to Paris on 21 of June, you won’t be disappointed!
Well, the only news for this moment: journey has started!
My plan looks like that: flying to France – hitch-hiking through Southern Europe – sailing to Minorca, Mallorca, Ibiza – crossing Atlantic ocean with Cris – hitch-hiking in South America. No plan for further way. Sounds exciting, yep? : )
I’m in Helsinki’s airport. Next destination: Paris.
I’m quite sleepy because of early wake up to hop on a taxi-bus to Finland. By the way, if I would book straight flight from Saint-Petersburg to Paris, would be not more expensive than my tricky combination with taxi-bus and EasyJet. Or, maybe, even cheaper.
My mum went with me to the train station to say goodbye. So sweet… She worries too much about me.
Tomorrow Paris will be full of music. La Fete de la Musique! Can’t wait : )
Follow the wind 