Bonjour Paris !

All because Tomoko, who fell in love with Paris, came to live in Paris, married a Parisian, and then wanted to introduce her Japanese friends to real life with the Parisians, she decided to set up her association “Bonjour Paris”...

Then she wanted French people, - her neighbours, as well as visitors – to find out more about Japanese culture, her culture. This is why, in addition to the all-year-long regular cultural workshops, she also organizes special events in front of her boutique of Japanese arts and crafts, the Manekineko de Montmartre, to mark Japanese festivals; and she encourages encounters between Japanese residents – or visitors - and Parisians.

• Furumaizakén sake celebration on 3 January 2008
  Furumaizakén is a traditional feast for Japanese shopkeepers, who celebrate the beginning of the new year by offering sake and maki-sushi to passers-by to share good wishes for the New Year with them !
  An omikuji (good luck greeting card) is also offered to them .
  Thursday 3 January 2008 from 6pm to 9pm.
  
  

• Hinamatsuri, little girls festival on 6 March 2008!
  This traditional Japanese festival is in honour of little girls, so that they will enjoy good health and much happiness. Tomoko always celebrates this festival with special traditional dishes: tchirashi-sushi, hina-arare etc and by offering little girls under 10 years a present.
  Thursday 6 March 2008, from 4:30pm to 8pm
  
  

• Tango No sekku, boys’ festival, 8 May 2008
  In Japan, this traditional fête is celebrated in May, in Paris, it is at the Manékineko in Montmartre, on 8 May, that Tomoko offers clients sake and traditional dishes ( oshi-sushi...) and a gift to little boys under 10yrs to wish them good health. Thursday 8 May 2008, from 4:30pm to 8pm. Free admission.
  
  

• Tanabata, the « Fête des Etoiles » (Festival of the Stars), Thursday 3 July 2008!
  The TANABATA festival is derived from a legend: a couple, in love, were separated by a father, who considered that his daughter had become very lazy after her marriage. Unfortunately, after being separated from her husband, things became worse: the daughter cried all the time and did not go out anymore. Her father softened his stance and allowed his daughter to see her husband again, on one evening each year, “on the river of stars”. This night is considered the most romantic in Japan. On this day, Tomoko offers passers-by a Japanese meal (oshi-sushi, sake etc.); she also suggests that they write a wish on a special type of paper, the TANZAKU and attach it to some bamboo in the Japanese tradition. Date: Thursday 3 July 2008, 6pm to 10pm
  
  

• Otsukimi, the festival of the full moon on September 11 !
  This traditional festival takes place mid-September at the time of the full moon, to thank it for good harvests! It is the time for poetic inspiration, writing haikus (Japanese poems), on the theme of the Moon and eating odango, the traditional cake of this festival. Free ! Thursday 11 September 2008, from 6 pm to 10 pm.

For more details:
1 bis rue Garreau (18th)
Tel/fax : +33 (0)1 42 64 52 78 info@bonjourparis.jp www.bonjourparis.jp

• Le Club International des Jeunes à Paris

Explore different neighbourhoods of Paris with real Parisians as your guides (students of tourism, no less), find out their insider tips and hints, exchange impressions and ideas with them over a coffee - amongst other fun activities, this is what’s on offer from the “Club International des Jeunes à Paris” for French and international students living in Paris and Ile de France.

Club International des Jeunes à Paris
201-203, rue de Vaugirard - 75015 Paris
01 43 06 23 16

info@club-international.org
www.club-international.org

• Little India

Poona who was formerly a guide in her own country, will guide you through Little India in Paris. This district is less well-known than China Town, but is also very exotic! She will also explain how this immigrant community settled in Paris.

The scents and fragrances of cinnamon, cardamom and saffron will be with you all along this tour that will include sacred aspects, with a Ganesh temple visit, together with more materialistic aspects, such as good tips and addresses in the community.

Walking tour in French or English of 1hr30 or 2hrs for individuals (from 2 persons) or for groups.
Fees: sliding scale, between €25 and €18 for individuals; groups: contact us.

Poonam Chawla
Tel: 01 45 05 34 71 / 06 26 01 77 53
poonamji@gmail.com

Site : www.chalindia.com