Letter from Paris

The year 1917 in Russia marked a unique moment of history when art and  revolution fused together into a mutual source of inspiration. The creativity and energy fed on each other for a short few years, to eventually vanish under the brutal repression and purges of Stalin to become an official and bland art form called "Socialist Realism." The exhibit "Red - Art and Utopia in … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Seeing “Red” at the Grand Palais

The unity of Europe is being put to the test now more than ever: the deadline of the Brexit pushed back from March 29 to April 12 is heightening the uncertainty to an almost unbearable level, the visit of Chinese president Xi Jinping to Italy, Monaco and France is preoccupying several members of the European Union (EU), and the populist votes in recent European elections are … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Present Pace of European Politics is Dizzying

The European Union (EU) is under attack from all sides. Will the EU strike back? The most serious threat against Europe is the dislocation of the world system of security and defense, which Europe relies on as a protection.  During the past two years, an avalanche of steps taken by the US is unraveling the Atlantic-dominated frameworkwith a possible US pull-back from NATO;  … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Will Europe Fight Back in Face of World, Local Challenges?

Paris is waging a war on wheels. In order to survive crossing the street, pedestrians have to defy car drivers while on the sidewalks, the war is between the people who walk and those on wheels in a multitude of forms. Mayor Anne Hidalgo, a socialist, has made it her mission to reduce pollution in the French capital by shrinking the space open to vehicles.  It is a laudable … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Life in the ‘City of Light’ is a War Zone … with Wheels!

It was a close call for Theresa May and probably the most difficult time of the 900-odd days of the Brexit negotiations.  On Monday, Dec. 10, her proposed "deal" faced opposition from all sides. Several of her ministers had already resigned: Boris Johnson,  Dominic Raab and David Davis, successive Secretaries of State for Brexit. Even her own Tory party was … [Read more...] about With Approach of Brexit Deadline, a New Conundrum Emerges: UK Grows More Divided, EU More United

Editor's Note: We are watching events in Paris today with deep dismay. Nicole Logan's topical column gives her opinion on the background to the tense situation unfolding there. France is in a tailspin.   The crisis started with the fury against the seven-cent tax hike on diesel fuel. The movement of the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) spread like wildfire through the social … [Read more...] about Letter from Paris: Riots Fuel ‘Yellow Vest’ Rebellion Against Macron’s Reforms, Stir Memories of May ’68

"Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was the most French of all American artists," said art historian Jerome Coignard.  She was the only woman - along with Berthe Morisot - to be recognized by the Impressionist movement and therefore permitted to show her works in their annual Salons.  For 40 years she developed a personal and artistic friendship with Edgar Degas, which was somewhat … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: Exhibition Explores Work of American Female Artist in Male World of French Impressionism

France is going through the labor pains of implementing a variety of overdue structural reforms if France is to be brought into the 21st century.  President Emmanuel Macron has tackled this objective at a dizzying speed since his election on May 7, 2017.  The pace of change was so fast that the opposition appeared unable to react until Macron turned to the reform of the SNCF … [Read more...] about Letter From Paris: The (Rail) Battle That Macron Must Win