Happy Uncle Sam Day!

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 10 September 2021 > Celebrate

“Uncle Sam” is commonly used as a symbol of the United States, but where does the name come from? The name, which happens to have the same initials as the country, has been around since the War of 1812 (which actually lasted from 1812 to 1815) between the U.S.A. and the U.K. The officially sanctioned … Continue reading “Happy Uncle Sam Day!”

2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction Winner

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 September 2021 > What's On

The 2021 UK Women’s Prize for Fiction has been won by Susanna Clarke for Piranesi, only her second novel, published 16 years after her immensely popular Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. Like its predecessor, Piranesi is an experimental novel in the realm of fantasy. Piranesi lives alone in an immense labyrinthine house surrounded by sea. … Continue reading “2021 Women’s Prize for Fiction Winner”

European Language Day 2021

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 September 2021 > Webpicks

26 September is the Day of European Languages, celebrating all the diversity of languages across the continent. For the 20th anniversary edition, there are some great teaching resources. The general theme of the resources is interesting quirks and facts about the different languages, starting with a downloadable poster called “20 Things You Might Not  Know … Continue reading “European Language Day 2021”

9/11 Commemorated in Rennes

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 08 September 2021 > What's On

The Institut-Franco-Américain in Rennes is marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks with an exhibition and a talk. On 21 September, Florian Treguer from University Rennes 2  will look back on the 9/11 attacks through the prism of Don DeLillo’s 2007 novel Falling Man. And an exhibition, 20 Ans Après Never Forget, by … Continue reading “9/11 Commemorated in Rennes”

Colum McCann: Literature and Music

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 31 August 2021 > What's On

Prizewinning Irish novelist Colum McCann will discuss freedom and resistance in his work at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris on 4 September, with musical accompaniment from fiddler Colm Mac Con Iomaire, who shares his commitment to dialogue and peace. McCann’s most recent novel Apeirogon has received recognition from around the world including in France le prix … Continue reading “Colum McCann: Literature and Music”

She is Greta

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 30 August 2021 > Shine Bright Lycée What's On

Just ahead of the COP26 summit in Glasgow at the end of October, a cinema release for the documentary I am Greta. The young environmental activist who started School Strike for the Climate in 2018 is still only 18, but has had a profound effect on environmentalists young and old. The documentary was made almost … Continue reading “She is Greta”

Labor or Labour Day?

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 25 August 2021 > Celebrate

Both the U.S.A. and Canada celebrate their countries’ workers on the first Monday in September, they just don’t agree on the spelling! Featuring picnics, barbecues but also political speeches, both public holidays grew out of union movements in the late nineteenth century demanding shorter working days and more rights for workers. It’s no coincidence that … Continue reading “Labor or Labour Day?”

9/11 20 Years On

Posted by Speakeasy News > Saturday 14 August 2021 > In the News

On 11 September 2001, the world watched in horror and disbelief as first one plane and then a second crashed into the Twin Towers of the NYC’s World Trade Center. Then news spread of a third hijacked plane heading to the Pentagon and a fourth that crashed en route to Washington, D.C., thanks to the … Continue reading “9/11 20 Years On”