Ayurveda massage

Grenoble Life talks to Karl Di Foggia about Ayurveda massage, his international background and getting started as a small business owner in Grenoble. 

Grenoble Life: What is Ayurveda and how does it differ from other kinds of massage? 

Karl Di Foggia: Ayurveda is a traditional Indian healing system. It comes from the sanskrit word ayu, meaning life and veda, meaning science. So ayurveda means the science of life. It is considered to be a holistic medical system, recognized as such by the World Health Organisation. We encounter ayurvedic clinics in countries such as India, the UK, the USA and Mexico. 

This system is based on prevention and takes into consideration the patient as a whole person at the level of body, mind and spirit. There are ayurveda textbooks that are over 5000 years old, and it is commonly admitted to be the world’s most ancient healing system. 

Ayurveda massages vary: full body massages with hot oils;  revigorating hand massages; head massages with warm oil, for flushing away stress; foot massages for improving sleep quality; pranic massage using breathing and the properties of crystals and minerals; deep massage using reflexology points all over the body … and many others to discover. 

GL: What are the health benefits of such massage? 

Karl: For prevention or in treatment for curative purposes, massages are commonly used in ayurveda. They are adapted to fit the patient’s ayurvedic profile and symptoms. They are specially designed to stimulate circulation of blood and lymph, give energy, enliven muscle tensions, detoxify the body, joints and organs, harmonize the five elements, as well as transmit the medicinal properties of plants cooked in sesame oil (tailam). It’s an efficient way of treating the body, making oneself feel united in body mind spirit, that is to say alive and happy. 

GL: Why do people come to you? 

Karl: Nowadays many people are starting to have ayurvedic treatment to discover an exotic form of relaxation through massage, and many get into it and come back regularly to embrace the full benefits. 

The motivation comes from different sources: stress at work, back pain, sciatica, poor digestion, depression, headeaches, need for relaxation or simply to discover. It can also be part of a personally designed programme following a session to determine your ayurvedic constitution and offer personalized health and dietary advice. 

GL: Who are your clients? 

Karl: My clients are local and international, depending on the sites I am working for. At the Spa at Chateau de la Commanderie, I have both business and private clients from both France and Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and England. 

For Hewlett Packard it’s about the same mix, with a broad spectrum of people. And at my offices in Eybens or Meylan, mostly locals from Grenoble and around. 

GL: Tell us about your background – when and why did you come to Grenoble? 

Karl: I was actually born and raised in Grenoble and the Alps. Although I lived in Alpe d’Huez for my first seven years, my family later moved to Seyssinet and we stayed there throughout my childhood. I moved away later on to finish my studies in England, and graduated with an MBA in engineering management. After two years missing the sun, I then settled down in Spain for a couple of years for my first job as an export salesman. After four years abroad, I needed to come back to my family and friends and I changed my career in order to work with people, as a psycho-corporal therapist. I’ve been back in Grenoble for 10 years now. 

My first experience with ayurveda was in 1997 after a trek in Kashmir, we had a rest in a beautiful place in the Himalayas with hot termal water and ayurvedic massages, lovely! 

I graduated as an ayurvedic therapist in 2004, and constantly refine my understanding of it through books, training, and sharing with other practitioners. I’ve also been doing yoga, which is another part of ayurveda. Since last year I have been sharing my passion for ayurvedic massage through training sessions. 

GL: What can people do to learn more about Ayurvedic massage or train in this method? 

Karl: To learn more about ayurvedic massage you can start with web research, texts, books and videos. You could visit my website and find the links page with selected videos on ayurvedic massages.

I am also giving training sessions in the ayurvedic massage ‘Abyangha’ in Meylan, a 3-hour session all year long on a forthnightly basis. Or over a set of seven weekends divided into themes such as back, neck and arms; legs and feet; head and face … from November to July. More info on my website.

GL: How did you set up your own business? Which organisations did you find useful in helping you set up? 

Karl: I chose to be independent under the auto-entrepreneur status. To choose the best legal status I got advice from Chambre de Commerce de l’Isere and personnal sessions with a specialist in company-creation through Pole Emploi. 

I’ve also heard that ADIE would be helpful for small businesses needing finance. 

GL: What do you love about Grenoble? 

Karl: Not the city as itself – although it still remains at a human level (the flattest city in France, people say), you cross the centre in a 15-minute walk – but the surroundings. I mean the fact that you can escape to a lovely place in the mountains in a short car drive.

Just landed in Grenoble? Don't worry, there's a club for you. Photo: Guillaume Brialon

Just landed in Grenoble? Grenoble Life editor James Dalrymple gives his rough guide to Grenoble’s expat clubs and Anglophone businesses and services.

I have been asked by the French Entrée website to write a post with general advice for expats in Grenoble and the surrounding area, including relevant clubs and associations to join. Where to begin? Maybe you have already heard claims that Grenoble has one of the biggest Anglophone communities of any French city. I’m not sure of the real stats, and I will resist the temptation to invent some here, but suffice to say you stand a good chance of meeting other English-speakers whether you wish to or not.

It can be a bone of contention. Some people get defensive about the expat thing, saying something along the lines of, “I didn’t come to France to meet other [insert relevant English-speaking nationality here], I came to meet French people etc.” I don’t really subscribe to this view. When I lived in the UK, I always gravitated towards people who were very international in their outlook, and counted many cultures among those I called my friends. Just because I came to live in France, doesn’t mean that I should only spend time with French people just to feel good about myself. Among the expat groups and associations listed below, one may find many Anglo-French couples, so-called ‘third culture kids’, and all manner of general pan-European activity that belies the widely held view of what expat communities are.

Most new English-speaking Grenoble residents, particularly those with families, are likely to encounter Open House, the city’s long-established and possibly largest expat association. Among the activities Open House organizes are children’s parties, excursions, wine tastings, lunches, outdoor activities, book groups, coffee meetings and French-English language exchange.

The more student-orientated Happy People 38 organizes intercultural social events and language exchanges. Meanwhile, Celtic Connection promotes Irish and Scottish culture and sport in Grenoble and hosts Hallowe’en and St Patrick’s parties, a Burns’ supper, and summer picnics. Scottish expats and a host of other nationals can also be found at a weekly Knitting Bee at Café Leyritz, Place Vaucanson, every Tuesday afternoon at 2pm.

Although not Anglophone I feel duty-bound to make you aware of the lovely people at Le Club Danemark – Rhône Alpes, who are known to organise Glögg parties, Danish lessons and excursions, including cross country skiing. For more info contact: danemark-rhonealpes@live.com

English Talk Radio, presented by Vivian Draper, is a bi-monthly show on 90.8 Radio Campus Grenoble.  The show talks about film, theatre, finance, restaurants and travel, and has a variety of topical local guests; every Sunday at 12.30pm, and every Wednesday at 7pm on 90.8, Radio Campus Grenoble.

For those expats who want their young children to have plenty of contact with the English language, there are some associations which can help with this, including Communication Café and ABC Anglais. Alternatively, French language classes for adults can be obtained from a variety of institutions and associations outlined in depth here.

If you are looking for American or British style cakes there is The Cake Shop and Bookworm Café. The latter also hosts book and poetry groups, language classes, local artists’ exhibitions and occasional musical performances. They also buy and sell second-hand English books, and have English newspapers and magazines to peruse. Furthermore, if you meet French friends yet to be convinced of the potential merits of American cuisine, Pumpkins might be wise place to convert them.

If you can’t find the book you are looking for at Bookworm Café there are two Anglophone libraries, La Bibliotèque Anglophone de Meylan and the English Library at Babel, which also runs book groups for teenagers and adults. Many municipal libraries also have English-language selections, particularly the International Public Library.

Given the dubious French proclivity for dubbing foreign language films into la langue maternelle, you may want to exercise caution when going to the cinema. Le Club (rue du Phalanstère) and La Nef (boulevard Edouard-Rey) are two theatres with dependably interesting programmes, all in version originale. For more info on the city’s movie theatres and film festivals, check out this comprehensive guide.

For church-goers, members from about 10 different denominations and 15 nationalities are welcome to attend The English Speaking Church of Grenoble, which also has a programme of social activities including dances, crafts nights, family evenings, visits to local attractions and walks.

In terms of professional development, the most dynamic and active association is the Working Women’s Network of Grenoble, which organizes networking lunches, workshops and seminars, and is run by a very helpful and efficient body of women. For opportunities to do volunteer work there is VSArt, an association that brings cultural opportunities to disadvantaged and elderly people. The Grenoble chapter was set up and is run by American Meredith Charreyron.

Grenoble also has a number of amateur English-speaking theatre groups. Students of different ages from Cité Internationale Scolaire de Grenoble participate in an annual pantomime and Upstage, respectively. The latter puts on very high quality plays every year at Ste-Marie-d’en-Bas, a 166-seat theatre off Place Notre Dame. Likewise, students of the English department at Stendhal University put on productions on campus every year. English-speakers are also invited to join a new Grenoble English Theatre Group, run by Nathalie Joshua. Novices welcome. For more information contact her at nathaliejoshua@hotmail.com

For health and well-being, Anglo-style therapeutic massage and aromatherapy can be obtained from Amy Cannata (waterfallwellness@me.com) and Shiatsu massage from Rebecca Skillman.

Finally, of course, I mustn’t forget to mention your very own Grenoble Life, which has articles and practical info for English speaking residents past, present and future. It also includes photo sharing, free classified ads and interviews with prominent members of the Anglophone community.

If I have forgotten any essential clubs or organizations, please use the comments box below to add to the list.

Mary Veale, "Borders, technique", 2007. Cast glass/tissue. Photo: Jean Pierre Angei

Mary Veale is an Irish artist based in Grenoble. She talks to Grenoble Life’s James Dalrymple about her new exhibition Mutations. 

Grenoble Life: Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to live in Grenoble. 

Mary Veale: I was born in Kilkenny, Ireland; I trained as a nurse and midwife and in neurology initially. After a brief working period in nursing I began my artistic training and completed my diploma foundation studies in Exeter College of Art in 1983. After that I moved to the north of England and completed my BA in design of glass and ceramics at the University of Sunderland where I was fortunate to work with the master of Swedish design Goran Warff. 

After graduation I worked in the setting-up of one of the first artists’ co-operatives in Newcastle-upon-Tyne at 36 Lime Street, Ouseburn Warehouse Workshops. We got awarded the Prince’s Trust Award for innovation in 1987. 

After setting up my first workshop I returned to study for my Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Northumberland. The theme of my final Master’s show was based on the Cleveland child abuse crisis. My first daughter was born during this period. 

I came to live in Grenoble initially for a sabbatical year in 1991, returning with my husband Daniel Veale working in medical research and respiratory medicine. 

GL: You say on the Un certain detachement (UCD) website that your works are inspired in part by “what it means to move cultures,” could you elaborate on this?  

Mary: The lack of opportunity to show local artists’ work in Grenoble caused us to set up the co-operative Un certain detachement in 2005. This group was set up by myself, Claude Gazengel and Alain Quercia. Claude Gazengel wrote a text based on her history about living abroad and crossing cultures (she had lived in Barcelona for three years). The group began with the idea of a mobile gallery and hence the Vending Machine Project was born. Now we have 30 international artists from five different countries involved in this international art project; and are using three vending machines. The concept is to make multiples in art and distribute them via a vending machine. The machines can be moved and shown in a variety of places. 

My multiple was based on the idea of “displacement“, which could be seen as a mental, physical or metaphysical state. As one moves cultures one has, in certain respects, to become detached from one’s origins. 

The idea of glass cast tongues (being cut off or dismembered) may be symbolic of the language problems that I have experienced - notions of fragility and breakability are present in my work.  While taking on a new language and culture can be a very enriching experience, it can also be very unsettling; thus the idea of fragility or moulding of glass can be very poignant. When speaking in a foreign tongue sometimes words and meanings get lost or remain unsaid. I like the idea of working on the spaces within the silences. I call these ‘silent spaces” where words are lost or unsaid or become mutated. I have tried to use this idea of lost words or silent spaces in my glass books; which are a work in progress started when I first arrived in Grenoble. 

GL: On the UCD website you state that glass can distort and protect. Some of your works feature scrawled or warped messages, while others enclose seemingly organic, even visceral matter. There is a vulnerability to certain works, but the shell or flower-like formations are made from hard materials. Likewise, your artworks seem to be personal, even intimate, but themes of liberty, borders and social exclusion are recurrent. Could you talk about the political dimension to your work and how it relates to the personal? 

Mary: I have worked on various themes over the past few years and a lot of my works are through ideas which may have been inspired by literature, poetry, music and current affairs. 

I am particularly interested in issues based on being an artist and the role of an artist today in society. Being a mother of three daughters and woman has also marked my work. 

Glass is often my chosen material as I can explore so many concepts and ideas through this material. 

Of course a lot of my art work is personal and when I am concerned about a particular issue but as the work develops a universal meaning can be traced also, I hope. 

My first work made in Grenoble was with the Ecole De La Paix. I worked on the concept of a glass book about peace entitled the Livre des larmes. This was in 1998 to commemorate the signing of the peace agreement in Northern Ireland. Since this date I continue to add pages, so it’s like a work in progress – as are peace processes in lots of places in the world. 

Most of my work is installation-based and may have many diverse media, including paintings, sculpture, light works, video and books. 

The theme of liberty is one that I have worked on. I organised a debate on this subject at the Fort Du Murier during the weekend of the Journée nationale du patrimoine in 2007. I invited guest speakers, local politicians and historians and opened the debate to the general public. The theme was: What does the concept of Liberty mean today? This debate was recorded and a video was also made during the debate and I made specific works after this debate. 

GL: Tell us about your new show Mutations. 

Mary: I like this word mutation as it can be so large in its meaning and connotations. It suits my work. 

To explore mutation in my work I start with genetic changes that happen in the body, as I interpret scientific images or concepts such as ageing and memory into a visual language. 

Mutation is a natural phenomenon in the creative process as marks and gestures constantly alter and change, becoming exposed, hidden or unstable. 

Mutable, changeable, unsteady: many of these words find resonance in my work through the use of particular materials such as glass, wax and paint. Through the creative process I am constantly bringing change, instability and alternating form and content through a complex process of looking and seeing. 

To be in a state of mutation is often felt by individuals who have become displaced or moved from their origins. Being outside one’s original culture could be a form of mutation particularly as one adapts and assumes another culture with its language and customs – as has been my experience. 

My works in this exhibition are from recent paintings and glass works and are based on the theme of mapping the inner body and “landscape”, or topography. I interpret the brain and its complex systems of neuronal pathways through looking and drawing, later to be defined into the language of paint or glass sculptures. The medical imagery I use as a starting point, which then leads to an exploration of wider issues to do with memory and loss. 

The philosophical dimension is also present as I try to understand our fears and emotions. The use of glass is a perfect metaphor for all that can be held within, frozen in time. The abstraction and reworking of medical imagery helps me to understand more about how our bodies work and how the inner landscape of our bodies is less of a mystery. 

Art can make visual many complex scientific concepts in a way which is less mysterious we as we understand the world around us through our actions emotions and reactions. Through this work I am not trying to show any answers but trying to understand for myself a little of how the body functions and changes in certain circumstances. 

I am interested in the idea of collaboration between different professions and therefore I worked in the Sleep Laboratories at the CHU Grenoble, looking at sleep studies and making a video recording of this procedure. Often the different areas of science and art have common grounds, especially in neurology. Medical imagery in recent times, such as the MRI scanner, brings a lot of new information to the scientist and also maybe to the artist. We as artists can contribute perhaps by having a different way of looking at a subject. I hope to commence a residency at the new neurological institute here in Grenoble working alongside scientists. 

I have works that explore the thought process, memory and memory loss, as my mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. 

GL: You talked earlier about the lack of opportunity to show local artists’ work in Grenoble. Could you talk more about this? 

Mary: A lot of artists in Grenoble never get to show their work in the city as it lacks any professional body to help organize a database. Just recently Entre ‘Arts got closed down and it used such a database over 10 years. 

The lack of space for artists led me to set up the vending machine project with my colleagues here in Grenoble. There are no studios for artists in Grenoble as was the case in Newcastle. Therefore, the city and local artists lack a cohesive structure to help them continue in their professional careers. 

As I was involved in the setting up one of the original co-operatives with other artists in Newcastle, I carry on this idea that artists cannot work in isolation and do need to have proper studios with low rent, as being an artist does not bring a regular income. 

I spent three years working on a proposal with a group of artists and architects here in Grenoble to set up studios and a set of workshops for international artists designed for the Le Petit Hall at Bouchayer Viallet. However, commerce won the day and art was not seen as economically viable. I see this as a huge mistake for the city as we see in Lyon how the Biennale D’art brought 165,000 visitors to the city thus bringing a lot of commerce. Therefore art can be an economic venture for a city. 

GL: Where can people go to see more of your work at that of your fellow artists? 

Mary: One of UCD’s vending machines is presently in-situ at the parliament party office of Genevieve Fioraso, 7 rue Voltaire. This exhibition continues until 15^th March. 

The recycled vending machine is beautifully reconditioned by our sculpture Vincent Gontier and our graphic artist Céline Charles. 

The machine contains artists’ multiples made in a variety of media (paintings, video, sculpture, photographs, which are signed unique works from 30 international artists. All the works can be purchased for a very reasonable price.

You must also visit Restaurant Du Petit Lac in St Egreve where Jac the owner has invited 24 or more artists from Grenoble to design a table. All the tables are on display can be eaten off and are really great. This is a project worth seeing  and I have a table also there.

Mutations – an exhibition of recent paintings and glass works by Mary Veale – continues at Moulin Villancourt, Pont de Claix, until 20^th March.

Radio. photo: morberg

English Talk Radio is a talk show in English on 90.8 Radio Campus Grenoble. We talk about film, theatre, finance, restaurants, travel, and have a variety of topical guests. We are four presenters: Kristine Minski talks about finance, Christina Menez talks about China, Mary Zaccai talks about student issues, and Vivian Draper – animatrice/rédactrice – hosts the show. Every Sunday at 12.30pm, and every Wednesday at 7pm on 90.8, Radio Campus Grenoble and live on www.campusgrenoble.org – and also here on Grenoble Life.

The February 7 English Talk Radio show took place at The Bookworm Café in St Laurent, Grenoble. Listen to the full show here:

On Air. Photo: Curtis Kennington

English Talk Radio is a talk show in English on 90.8  Radio Campus Grenoble. We talk about film, theatre, finance, restaurants, travel, and have a variety of topical guests.  We are four presenters: Kristine Minski talks about finance, Christina Menez talks about China, Mary Zaccai talks about student issues, and Vivian Draper – animatrice/rédactrice - hosts the show. Every Sunday at 12.30pm, and every Wednesday at 7pm on 90.8, Radio Campus Grenoble and also live on www.campusgrenoble.org – plus podcast here.

Guests on 13 November 2009 English Talk Radio:
Ariane Zenker of The Cake Shop (fancy cakes & accessories).
Amélia Feuer is a young opera singer from New York who is now living in Grenoble.
ETR Presenters Christina Menéz, Mary Zaccai and Vivian Draper, sound engineer Bertrand Tappaz
Listen to the Podcast
etr@campusgrenoble.org

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English Talk Radio l’émission en anglais pour les expatriés et les amoureux de la culture anglo-saxonne.
Vivian Draper l’animatrice / rédactrice reçoit :
Ariane Zenker du magasin The Cake Shop (fancy cakes & accessories).
Christina Menez à propos de l’éducation en Chine.
Amélia Feuer jeune chanteuse d’opéra new yorkaise qui vit désormait à Grenoble.
Diffusion les dimanche à 12H30 et mercredis à 19h sur Radio Campus Grenoble.
90.8 et en direct sur www.campusgrenoble.org + Podcast
etr@campusgrenoble.org

Parents and their Toddler Talkers enjoying a story. Helen McEwan is second from left

abc anglais is a brand new English speaking playgroup in Grenoble for the youngest of children and their parents no matter where you are from. Mums, dads, toddlers and babies are totally immersed in an English-speaking environment during the session, joining in the nursery rhymes and songs, listening to favourite stories, playing age-appropriate games as well as taking part in art and craft activities all conducted in English. It’s run by me, Helen McEwan, a UK qualified Speech and Language Therapist and experienced English language teacher.

Every session is structured around a subject, which forms part of a five week theme, for example, ‘On the Farm’. We always have at least one story, one song, one nursery rhyme per subject, e.g., ‘cows’, and plenty of games and craft activities to keep the children actively interested. There is also a story and a couple of songs on the general theme which we come back to every time to reinforce the learning of the theme and to allow the children (and parents) to familiarise themselves with the English songs and stories.

There are currently three levels – “Baby Babblers” for babies up to 12 months old, “Toddler Talkers” for one to two year olds, and “Chatterbox Children” for two to three year olds.

My idea of exposing very young children to a language they do not normally speak at home is based on the theories of language development in general. There are still many mysteries surrounding language acquisition (and even more so around the thorny issue of bilingualism), but it is believed that a child learns the fundamentals of his/her own language by age three. So, in order to maximise the chances of a child learning an additional language as naturally and easily as possible, it is best to start early.

In addition, there is clear evidence that learning the sounds of language is done in the first year of life, much research quoting just the first six months as the time limit on acquiring the speech sounds specific to your language. So, if you noticed your baby being able to trill or click and make sounds more akin to more ‘exotic’ languages in its early months, this is because your baby was born with the ability to make all speech sounds, but quickly hones into the sounds s/he hears in her environment and continues to practise only those in the babble phase, around six–nine months. Therefore, if you want to pronounce another language well – especially if it sounds very different to your own, (French vs. English!), ideally you need to be exposed to the sounds of that language in the first six months of life, or certainly no later than the first year in order to reproduce them accurately later on!

Making spider bracelets with Chatterbox Children at Halloween

For this reason, I choose stories which use repetition, rhyme, have a strong rhythm, are not very ‘wordy’, but have captivating story lines as well as bold, striking artwork to capture the child’s imagination, even if s/he doesn’t know any English yet. For any form of learning, familiarisation of the subject matter is essential. Repetition is therefore a valuable learning tool, and so we come back to the stories and songs and rhymes during one session, during a theme, and also during the course of the year, but from different angles. ‘Noah’s Ark’ can be used in a session on rain, as well as animals, boats, or counting for example.  In any case, children love returning to their favourite books, toys, programmes over and over again.

The same principle applies to the songs we sing. They are carefully chosen for their ease of learning, and because they are fun, and tuneful and worth singing. Learning through song is almost primeval. Often it is easier to learn a phrase with music or with a strong rhythm – do you remember doing this when revising for an exam, or learning a new language? – as you are allowing your brain more chances of storing the data and hence more opportunities of retrieving it via various routes – the linguistic and the musical. Singing is an almost instinctive response to childcare. Many cultures use music for child rearing, and children respond instinctively to the human voice, particularly their mother’s. In this way singing constitutes a fundamental form of early interaction between parent and child.

I set up abc anglais because of my own experience of coming to Grenoble six months pregnant with my first child. Although I have worked with children, including newborns and premature babies, I had no idea what to expect with my own baby, particularly in a very new and foreign environment. And I was very disappointed to discover that actually there is very little available for parents and babies in particular. It was a very isolating and disorientating experience. Thank goodness for Open House and the Baby and Toddler Groups there, which I quickly became involved with (and I encourage all similar families to). Running the groups there and doing prototype abc sessions at my daughter’s garderie gave me the idea to combine my professional skills with offering something that I feel is lacking in Grenoble – a service for our youngest of citizens. In the UK, I worked in nurseries and clinics for the under fives, and ran parent-child interaction groups which encourage positive communication. I draw on this experience and other principles of my profession in designing and running the abc sessions.

Helen McEwan

So, abc anglais is as much an opportunity for parents to have some quality play time with their young children, as it is an opportunity for the children to become exposed to English at the optimum time for language learning. It is also an opportunity for parents to practise their English, and enjoy being in an English-speaking environment. abc anglais is as much for parents as for children, and this is a fundamental basic principle. And it’s open to everyone, not just Anglophones. Families from USA, Asia, as well as many different European countries, and French families are currently attending.

Sessions are held in two locations in Grenoble – at Les Petits Bilingues, place de Metz, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and at the new English café – Bookworm, rue St. Laurent, on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The new block starts the week of 9 November. It will run for five weeks, with a special Christmas session in the week of 14 December. Come and join us, it’s lots of fun!

(Check out the Bookworm Café blog and the fantastic Mômes à Grenoble blog for further information on forthcoming events, or contact me: abc.anglais (at) free.fr)

Bernard Denis

Bernard Denis is a doctor and cardiologist, and was Head of the department of cardiology at the Hôpital A. Michallon in Grenoble. Now retired, he enjoys writing short stories in English. Grenoble Life invited him to submit this one, Travel around the world.

Travel around the world

by Bernard Denis

Twenty years ago, I had to stay at home during the summer vacation. I don’t remember why, but I took this opportunity to put my house in order, especially the library.

During this task I found many books I had never read, or others I had read many times, and it appeared that it was not easy to sort them all out. How long would this work take? Probably my whole vacation and it was so boring.

Never mind, I had many other interesting things to do. For example, to put in order my large amount of postcards that were stocked in a case. It was a way to travel without going out of my library.

During my professional life I had had – as Cardiologist, Head of Department at the Hôpital Albert Michallon in Grenoble – the opportunity to visit many countries around the world. And every time I was abroad I bought postcards in view to send these to my family, but also to my team. Then it appeared that in this large collection I found many brand new postcards and which were of course from many foreign countries.

Why not send these unused postcards to the secretaries and nurses of my department as though I was travelling around the world? It was a credible trip. But how could I do that?

I chose postcards from England, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand and Central Europe. With this range, the countries could be successive stages of an imaginary trip around the world.

I wrote on each postcard a kind of day-to-day journal; it was for me a very amusing and exciting exercise to invent many situations and events, to describe cities and landscapes, inhabitants and so on …

After that it was mandatory to put the right stamp (from each country) on the envelopes which contained the postcards.

How could I find these? The only solution was to buy stamps in a shop where stamps are sold for collectors. So I went to the shop and I told the sales woman about my project. Immediately she was very interested … “What a marvellous idea!” she said, and she found all the stamps I needed.

I stuck the stamps on the envelopes but after that I had to mimic the postmark of every country.

Imagine for Japan: I had to imitate the ideograms! For me it was a very exciting game, and my drawings were perfectly achieved. I was really pleased with myself!

And now how to send these letters?

It was impossible to put these letters either in an ordinary mailbox or take them to a post office. Fortunately in the hospital there is an internal post service. It was exactly that I needed. But was not it too risky for me to go to the Hôpital Michallon?  If I met somebody from my department, the joke would have been spoilt.

The only solution was to send the letters from the Hôpital Sud in Echiroles. So, every two days I posted a letter, in the mailbox dedicated to internal mail, and after twelve days the trip was finished: Grenoble, London, Quebec, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Budapest, Paris, Grenoble.

When I came back from my vacation, I won’t tell you the welcome which awaited me. Everybody believed I was really coming back from an around-the-world trip!

All the postcards were pinned on a large map of the world, hung up on the wall of the secretary’s office. And I had to answer a lot of questions.

Nevertheless, a secretary of the team was suspicious and said, “it seems you were in a hurry; it’s not like you!” Another said that it was a pity to travel so fast; and to spend so much money for that.

Eventually the conclusion of my team was I had met an air hostess and run after her from plane to plane, apparently without any success.

Thanks to this joke it was a good opportunity to gather my team in a warm and friendly atmosphere and drink a glass of champagne.

Even now some people believe that I really travelled around the world. It was a nice dream. For two weeks, I had opened a window on new landscapes, far beyond the hospital and the dull everyday life.

Bernard Denis was born on August 25^th 1934. He is a doctor and cardiologist but has been retired for nine years. He was Head of the department of cardiology, at the Hôpital A. Michallon, Grenoble, and Professor of cardiology at the University (Faculté de Médecine). He specialises in Echocardiography and organised (with great success) seven congresses dedicated to this technique.

Bernard is also the author of a book Semiologie et pathologie Cardiovasculaires. The last edition of this book (1996) is used by students from many French-speaking countries.

His hobbies are music (piano), sport (cycling, skiing and walking) and reading English books.

From The Side. Photo: Patrick Gage

Clare Smears runs the English Library at Babel in Grenoble. Grenoble Life wanted to know more about the library collection, the book groups and her background.

Grenoble Life: When and why did you originally come to Grenoble?

Clare Smears: I’m British. I came to Grenoble almost 17 years ago when my husband was offered a job here. Whilst in the UK, I had studied for an MA in Library & Information Studies and I’d worked in various libraries including a trainee year at The British Library in London and as Assistant Young People’s Librarian with Kent County Libraries. Getting involved with The Library at Babel has allowed me to continue what I most enjoy doing – bringing people and books together.

GL: When and why was the library created?

CS: The Library at Babel opened in 2000 as a joint project between three associations – Babel, Open House and Alliance Grenoble-Oxford – following the desire expressed by these associations to provide a centre for readers of English.

Association Babel very generously offered to house the library at their room situated in Grenoble at 2, rue Ste. Ursule in the beautiful courtyard of what was once the Couvent des Minimes.

GL: How is the library run?

CS: The library is run by a small group of volunteers who now open it to the public on five days a week.

GL: How did you come to be involved and what is your role now?

CS: I forget exactly when I got involved with the library – although it was perhaps a year after it first opened. I had been a member of Association Babel for many years so I had seen the library open and develop. The shelves of children’s books were growing rapidly and none of the other volunteers had time to organise and exploit the children’s collection. Because I had previously worked as a Young People’s Librarian, I was asked if I’d be willing to spend some time helping with this collection. I agreed and things just went from there. I now oversee the general day to day running as well as take part in opening to the public etc.

GL: How many books are there and how were they acquired?

CS: We have around 5000 books on the shelves at present. When the Library was started there was a small stock of books from the Open House library and Babel also had a small collection. Since then, the books have been obtained through purchases but mainly through frequent generous donations to the Library. I also obtain many good second hand copies of books through various book exchange sites on the internet.

GL: What type of books can we find in the collection?

CS: There is something for everyone on the shelves – because the majority of our books are from donations they reflect the many different backgrounds and tastes of any reading community.

We have a very varied fiction section for adults featuring classics, modern fiction and many crime and thriller titles. There are also smaller collections of short stories, poetry and plays, and science/fantasy fiction.

For learners of English we have a shelf full of so called “easy readers” – books where the text has been adapted especially for learners of English. There are also dictionaries and other reference books that can be consulted whilst in the library.

The non-fiction selection is just as interesting – biographies, travel writing, history, popular science and economy, craft, cookery and art.

Children and young people of all ages will find something too – fiction and non-fiction from board books for babies up to some of the latest teen reader titles …

GL: Do you update the collection? How do you choose new titles?

CS: The collection tends to update itself every week – thanks to the regular donations we receive!

However, I do try to keep up to date with what’s happening in the publishing world and, where finances allow, we buy new titles particularly when we know it is going to be very popular with the readers – whose tastes we get to know very well. And, of course, we are always open to suggestions so I’ll try to get hold of any book that a reader is looking for if I think it will be of interest to others too …

GL: Who comes to the library?

CS: Our members come from all types of backgrounds and countries – the one thing in common is that they wish to read in English.

As for our ‘French’ members, many have lived and worked in English speaking countries or environments and now enjoy maintaining their English language through reading

GL: Does the library host activities and how can people get information about them?

CS: The Library along with Babel hosts a book discussion group for adults once a month during term time – we try to pick a general topic in relation to books and literature rather than read a book and then discuss it.

I have also recently started a new teenage book group – and been wonderfully surprised by how many young people out there want to get together to read and discuss books.

Anybody seeking further information about these groups can email me directly at association.babel@laposte.net

GL: What advice would you give to book-loving expats new to the city?

CS: Well, obviously, come in and see us at The Library – I’m sure we can provide something for all reading tastes.

However, there are now many ways of obtaining English language books in the city. I especially recommend Patricia Andréoli’s excellent library in Meylan – BAM (Bibliothèque Anglophone de Meylan). Also the newly opened Bookworm Café on rue St. Laurent where you can browse the second hand books on sale as well as enjoy tea and cakes.

I feel it is up to the English reading public in Grenoble to give their full support to projects such as these.

GL: What’s next for the library?

CS: Later in the year we hope to hold another of our very popular book sales where we try to pass on spare books for the very reasonable price of 0,50 cents or 1 €.

GL: What are the opening hours and membership terms for the library?

CS: During school term-time, the library opens 5 days a week at the following times: Monday: 4–5.30, Tuesday: 12.15–1.45, Wednesday: 4.30–6, Thursday 4–6 and Saturday 2.30–5.30. Normally have to ring the outside bell marked Babel and wait for someone to open the door on rue Ste Ursule.

During holiday periods, we try to open every Wednesday afternoon from 4–6pm.

Members of the three founding associations have automatic free membership to the library.

Anyone wanting to join the library alone is asked to pay an annual membership fee of 15 euros for individuals in employment or families or 7,50 € for students / retired / unemployed.

However, as in all things, we try to be as flexible as possible – so, for example, we have reduced rates for anyone who is in the area for only a short period.

Each member can borrow 4–5 books for a month but again we are very flexible about the amount of books and the return dates – there are no fines for overdue books. One member who lives in La Côte St. André comes with a suitcase and borrows books for several months!

GL: How can we find out more, donate books etc …

CS: To find out more, please feel free to come and see us during the library opening hours or contact me personally by email at association.babel@laposte.net

Welcome in seven languages

Marion Lhuillier is chief librarian of the International Public Library (Bibliothèque Municipale Internationale) in Grenoble. She kindly agreed to answer our questions about the library’s services, her background and why she loves Grenoble.

Grenoble Life: As chief librarian, can you explain a little your background?

Marion Lhuillier: In December 2000 I was hired by the Grenoble library network to work on the project of the international library, which opened to the public in September 2003.

My personal background would probably explain this choice: after a humanities-oriented school education (German language and literature, French literature and library sciences), I started my professional life first as manager of the information centre in a big French food company, then as a product manager. There I discovered marketing, promotion and advertising, which became very useful later for my job as a chief librarian.

Then, after the birth of my third child, I worked as a librarian in a middle school near Paris and followed my children’s father, who works for Carrefour, to Taipei, where my kids became true American Students at Taipei American School (TAS). Over there, I discovered the life “abroad”, the American way of life and the American way of education (the students worked hard!); as well as the Chinese one. I worked at TAS as a part-time French language teacher assistant and came back to France with my children in September 1997.

At that time I realized how rich this experience had been for my children and I, how deeply it had changed my own opinion on people and countries: how much it had broadened my horizons. The benefit of this experience remains with me now.

I have continued to practice English and German for my pleasure as well as for my professional needs. I also use it to travel and visit my children, and have been back to China several times to see my daughter, who studied and worked in Shanghai and Beijing, but now works in London. I have also travelled to Wellington, New Zealand, where the second of my children studied one high school term, and to Patagonia for my own pleasure. Certainly I’ve never forgotten Europe! Trekking and reading are two of my favourite forms of entertainment … the third one is to enhance my linguistic efficiency or, at least, to keep it alive: thanks to languages, it has been easier to make contact with foreigners, who are both similar and yet so different from us. Building such human links is very important to me.

GL: What and where is the International Public Library?

ML: The International Public Library is part of the Grenoble library network and hosts collections in Arabic, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

It is located in the brand new Europole area, near the train station, Grenoble Ecole de Management, Minatec and CEA, not far from downtown, close to the B line tram station “Cité Internationale” (see full contact and address details, opening times and membership info at the bottom of the article).

GL: Who is the library for, and what facilities and services do you offer?

ML: Open to children as well as adults, the International Library offers various materials in these seven languages: fiction and non-fiction books, picture and comic books, magazines, language learning CD-Roms, DVDs, audiobooks, music and ethnic song CDs.

Access to the library is free of charge. You can borrow materials in all seven languages: up to 15 documents per membership card (as follows: 15 books, 15 journals, six CDs, four audiobooks, three CD-Roms for four weeks, three fiction and three non-fiction DVDs for two weeks).

From home (thanks to the internet), you can find documents through the online network catalogue. With your PIN number and your password, it is possible to renew your loans and make documents reservations.

There is also a special room dedicated to Rosetta Stone, the famous American language-learning software. In this case, as well as for browsing the internet, reservation is needed by phone or at the library. Both services are free of charge.

Salle de Lecture

GL: What events take place at the library?

ML: We also organise multilingual storytelling – the next one on December 2 at 16:30 – in English, Portuguese and French.

There are also meetings with authors from other countries – the next ones are on September 16 at 18:30 at the downtown Library with Colum McCann, the famous Irish-American writer, and on October 8, at the International Library, with Alicia Dujovne Ortiz, from Argentina.

Consulting the cultural program of the Grenoble’s library network is easy on our website or on our magazine “les Rendez-vous”!

GL: What does Grenoble mean to you?

ML: Grenoble is the town where I decided to work because of its cosmopolitanism, which reminds me of my life abroad, particularly in the tram, when I listen to people speaking so many foreign languages, such as Arabic, Chinese, English, German and several others that I don’t know.

Grenoble cannot be separated from its wonderful sunrises, with mountains like a shadow theatre and sunsets with rose-coloured mountains: an unbelievable luxury!

Bibliothèque Municipale Internationale
6 Place de Sfax, 38000 Grenoble
04 38 12 25 41 (tel)
04 38 12 25 46 (fax)
email : bm.internationale@bm-grenoble.fr

Opening hours:

- During school time : on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 5 to 7 pm, on Wednesday, from 2 to 6 pm and on Saturday, from 10 to 12 :30 and from 2 to 5 pm.
- During the school holidays : on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, from 2 to 6 pm, on Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm.

Membership:

You can become a member while paying an annual subscription, depending on your age and place of residence:
-Under 18 or still at lycée: free of charge. From 18 to 25 : 7 € (Grenoble residents and non-residents)
-Adults : 14 € (Grenoble resident), 35 € (Grenoble non-resident)
-Over 65 : free of charge (Grenoble residents), 35 € (Grenoble non-resident)
-Unemployed people, minimum wage earners, and asylum seekers have free membership. Please show an identity document and a proof of residence (e.g., utility bill) when signing up for membership.
Children under 16 must have their parents’ authorization.
Come and join us !!

Patricia Andreoli-Jones at the Bibliothèque Anglophone de Meylan

Patricia Andreoli-Jones set up and runs the Bibliothèque Anglophone de Meylan. James Dalrymple of Grenoble Life talked to her about the history of the library, the book collection and her international background.

Grenoble Life: You have an interesting international background, please tell us more …

Patricia Andreoli-Jones: I was born in 1956, Bromley, UK. Having been brought up from 1962 in Vevey, Switzerland, I emigrated to Sydney, Australia, in 1981, and then Munich, Germany in 1988, where I met a good-looking French guy (Jean-Marc Andreoli) in 1992 and married him in 1993. We moved to Meylan, near Grenoble, in September 1993 for Jean-Marc’s job, before having two children, Lauren and Julien, in 1993 and 1995.

Having worked in Switzerland, Australia and Germany as a trilingual secretary, upon arrival in Meylan I passed the TEFL and  taught English to adults in our local association and in language schools, and to children in primary schools, before founding the Bibliothèque Anglophone de Meylan (BAM), a non-profit association.

GL: When and why was the library created?

PA: I opened the library in October 2006 with 500 books. Our American neighbour and friend of 10 years moved back to the US, leaving a couple of hundred books, and I had quite a few myself. I’d been looking for a place to start a library for over a year without success, when I met the late director of the ARIES computer graphics schools, who immediately said yes with great enthusiasm. He saw it as a great opportunity for his students to have easy access to the English language, so it would serve two purposes, the students and the general public.

GL: How many books are there and how were they acquired?

PA: There are over 2000 books, many donated, some bought at local bookshops but also at the Geneva English Library twice-yearly book-sale, and at Hay-on-Wye in England, a very small town famous for its 30 second-hand bookshops.

GL: What type of books can we find in the collection?

PA: Novels, romance, thrillers, crime, science-fiction, non-fiction, for children, teenagers and adults. All are catalogued on the website.

GL: How do you update the collection?

PA: When a popular author publishes a new book I try to buy it. Or on request. My favorite subscribers are those who have the same tastes as I and will ask for exactly the book I was going to get anyway! [laughs]

BAM books!

GL: Who comes to the library?

PA: French and English-speaking people, families and employees from Inovallée’s 200 companies. Some work in the same company but meet for the first time at the library.

GL: Does the library host activities and how can people get information about them?

PA: The library is too small to host activities, but anything new such as a didgeridoo party [playing and listening to the didgeridoo is one of Patricia's hobbies], or an Open Door day is advertised on our website. The catalogue is also online, as well as a photo and press gallery, a page with recipes specialising in English and Welsh cakes, and sweets which can be eaten at the Open Door days during the year. Anyone with good recipes is encouraged to email me, I’ll add them to the site.

GL: What advice would you give to book-loving expats new to the city?

PA: Although a book, tea and a chat at the BAM in Meylan is a must on a regular basis, I would also send them to The Bookworm Café at the Rue St Laurent in Grenoble where they can buy second-hand books. And the English library of Babel, in the convent of the Minimes is an experience not to be missed. The catalogue is not computerised but the library’s manager Clare Smears knows exactly what’s where.

GL: Can you recommend a good new book from the collection?

PA: I’ve just bought David Lodge’s ‘Deaf Sentence’ which to my mind is his best up to now, and many other new books are on order, such as ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, or Liz Whittaker’s ‘The Dreamstealer’s Trilogy’ – a Welsh tale for children (Liz happens to be my first cousin!).

GL: What’s next for the library?

PA: We are re-opening on 31st August, We will be at Forum des Associations in Meylan (Saturday 12 September, gymnase des Buclos), Stall 53, from 10 am to 5 pm. There will also be an Open Door day with ARIES on 26 September, from 10 am to 5 pm.

GL: What are the opening hours and membership terms for the library?

PA: Monday: 10.30 – 12.30, Wednesday: 10.00 – 11.00, Thursday: 11.45 -14.00. Membership is 10 euros per family per year.

The view across from the Radio Campus Grenoble

Vivian Draper is a freelance writer, documentary film maker and broadcaster. She lives part time in Grenoble, and is a presenter on English Talk Radio 90.8FM Radio Campus Grenoble. You can listen to ETR every Wednesday at 1900 hours and every Sunday at 12h30. James Dalrymple interviews.

Grenoble Life: How did you come to be involved with the show on Radio Campus?

English Talk Radio: It was the idea of Bernard Picard, a colleague at Open House, The English Speaking Cultural Association, to put English on the radio in Grenoble. He had heard English on the radio in Annecy, and wondered why we didn’t have it in Grenoble. He did all the research, and ended up talking to Radio Campus Grenoble. Then he sent me an email …

GL: Who is your show for?

ETR: People who are interested in books, theatre, film, finance, travel, ideas. We also do local motion – what is going on in the schools and unis and business schools. For a city with 35,000 expats, 65,000 students, 9,000 of them foreign students, it is a super place to be communicating in English. Also, English conversation groups listen to maintain their English, mostly French people, so we have to be very clear and precise with our language. I have heard of two people who are trying to learn English from our show. Truly terrifying to think of.

GL: Is the show pre recorded and then edited?

ETR: We started off in 2005 with a live show, which went out at 1400 hours every Friday. We then realised that this was not a good time frame for most of our listeners, as they wanted to listen in their cars, or on their computers; so we asked to pre record, and go on air during drive time, 1900 hours every Wednesday, with a repeat on Sundays at 12h30. We still pretend we are live though, never stop and change anything – mistakes are part of our charm (laughs) … we are never edited, as far as I know.

GL: Do you work with a separate producer?

ETR: We work with a sound engineer – it can be Alexandre Hadade, who is the co-ordinator for 90.8FM, the boss man, or it can be one of the other technicians, depends who is available.

GL: What is the most difficult thing about presenting the show?

ETR: Timing. Timing is everything. We have thirty minutes to fill, and thirty minutes is a long time in radio time. No silences allowed; radio time is valuable, so we have to watch the clock, watch the script, watch the technician, watch the guests. It can be overwhelming. If the sound engineer is ringing a guest, and there is a problem, and we are expecting to talk to said guest, then we have to go into free fall, filler, talk about anything, everything, just to keep things going until the guest is available. Can be nerve wracking. That is why my favourite number is 29:54 – it means we came in under 30 minutes, and we didn’t cause any trouble for the next show, or the technicians.

GL: Do you have to work or study on campus in order to be involved in Campus Radio?

ETR: No. Anyone can present an idea to Radio Campus Grenoble, explain what they want to do, and see if the board thinks it a good idea. It does take up a lot of time though, so be prepared for that. You do have to join the association as well. Radio is 90% male, out of 50 shows on radio, less than 5 will be written, and presented by women. I would like to hear more women on radio. ETR is an all woman show – we even had a female technician for a time (laughs) … it was wonderful … we didn’t start out with that idea, it just happened, at least fifty percent of our guests are male – really … 90.8FM is a music station, so we are a little bit of an anomaly; however they are all so helpful to us, and make things work for us as ETR is a talk show. Go and see the Richard Curtis film, Good Morning England, working at 90.8 is exactly like that … (more laughing)

GL: Had you worked on the radio before Radio Campus?

ETR: I’m a freelance writer, specialising in politics, elections mostly, so I had interviewed people on the radio. Nothing like this though, if I am not prepared, or slip up, the whole show can come crashing down. Fortunately we have strong presenters – Kristine Minski who is our financial presenter has been with the show since 2005, Christina Menez who talks about China has been with ETR for two years now. They are always prepared, on time with their copy – ready to go. They are very professional, and we work well together. We also have an intern, it was Ingrid this year, who talks about what the students are up to. ETR is a team effort. No stars, no divas, lots of behind the scenes drama, though …

GL: Can you tell us about some memorable guests and experiences you have had during the course of the show?

ETR: Our guests are always wonderful, I’ll tell no tales, they are the pivotal part of ETR. They are always interesting, they make us laugh, and sometimes makes us cry. I think the best shows have been when we have several in studio guests, they start talking to each other, and we lose control of the show. That is fun. You didn’t ask me this, but I want to say, for all the hard work, working on ETR is great; we all enjoy doing the show so much. I think that comes through in our broadcasts.

GL: What do you do besides your work on Campus Radio?

ETR: Well, as I told you, I’m a freelance writer, that is my main job. I’m also a documentary film maker, working on my second film right now, so I’m away from Grenoble about half the time. Then there is the radio show. I’m also on various committees for volunteer work, under 5s food programme in Africa, literacy in Washington DC. Then there is my love of international literature, I belong to three book groups in Grenoble – books are my passion. Ideas, I’m very curious, I love to share ideas. I dislike the word exclusive, love the word inclusive. Having lived all over the world, I like the idea of sharing books, books bring people together. Quoting Anjana Chowdhury – ‘books can change your life’.

GL: Why did you originally come to live in Grenoble?

ETR: I came to Grenoble to finish a book, which I did, and then, like so many people, just stayed. I love the mountains, the multi ethnicity of Grenoble – inter cultural dynamics, multi cultural sensitivity, all very interesting to me.

GL: Have your activities on Radio Campus been affected by the recent student strikes and protests?

ETR: No. Not at all. The radio has kept going, no sit ins, no taking over the radio station, so our work has not been affected. However, we have talked about it.

GL: How does campus culture in France compare to your experience as a student in your native country?

ETR: Well, it is a long time since I was a student, if you don’t count my attempts to learn Chinese. I think students should protest, should care, should try to change things. Life should be messy and annoying sometimes, if it brings about change for the better.

GL: What advice would you give English speakers planning to come and live in Grenoble?

ETR: I don’t give advice. Thank you for this interview, Mr Dalrymple … (last laugh)