Tuesday, April 10, 2012

100 French Strangers- Christian Bassoul


 French Stranger #82

In the early 1900's street musicians would sell sheet music to the people on the streets of Paris and everyone would sing.  Meet Christian Bassoul, the man who has revived that delightful tradition.  One sunny Sunday morning, June 2009,  as we walked down rue Mouffetard on our way to the Jardin des Plantes, we came across a crowd of people having the most wonderful  time singing favorite French songs and dancing with each other and willing spectators.  Since that time, whenever I'm in Paris on a Sunday, you will find me right there.  I wouldn't miss it.  This past January, I took some  prints from previous trips and shared them with some of the singers.  Viviane, who I've photographed many times, spoke some English and was very kind to spend time with me.  Today their leader  and accordianist Christian Bassoul.  You can see Christian in this YouTube video from many years ago here

I have made contact with Viviane and hopefully Christian as well. I will be sharing many more photographs here.  Being able to correspond and share my photographs with them is a special gift for me.

11 comments:

Joop Zand said...

Great shot......nice done Virginia.

Greetings, Joop

Joe said...

How wonderful. I must put all that down in my travel book.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I love this story~ it delights.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

What a handsome man then and now Virginia, loved the mop of long curly hair, very David Essex French style haha!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

When I was there a week or so ago, I was there to sing and dance. With David and Peter taking photos, I felt like a movie star. I did buy the CD and les paroles. Great portrait, V.

Daryl said...

wonderful ... a handsome man

Anonymous said...

How nice Virginia! It's always nice to meet people and correspond and share with them photos and conversation!

He looks totally French! HA

Anonymous said...

Very nice!

Alexa said...

I can't imagine that anyone wouldn't be pleased as punch to have you take their portrait—I haven't seen a single one that didn't make me want to meet the subject! You have a gift, V --

Natalie said...

What a wonderful Sunday tradition! What a warm, treasured connections you've made! Something to hold on to, to keep in your heart and to share.
So the Parisians aren't that distant and unapproachable after all? Or it's just a rue Mouffetard phenomenon?
Now I'd know where to find you one Sunday in Paris...

Jack said...

A fine Gallic profile he has, too, with an appropriate touch of rouge at his neck. Nice work, as usual, Virginia.