Song: What's good for me by Lucy Woodward
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
The importance of myths
Can you imagine a nation without its own stories and its own myths? I can't! In fact, the power of myths is positive for a society because it gives a feeling of belonging to your nation. Also, it is a way to create a proud and friendly country. "The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is an example of my opinion. This myth is about a dead man who has been found by kids in the sea. During the tale, women and men will fall in love with the one they called Esteban. This unreal beauty will be the cause of an incredible refreshment of the village and of the values of the inhabitants. The themes of judgement and of power of one person for a village are approached in this unusual text. I think that the power of myths in nation building is the base of the nation.
In "The Handsomest Drowned Man In The World", the author makes his story sounds like a hyperbole. In fact, every detail of Esteban is exaggerated to make the magic more present. Describe him like a perfect person gives to the tale a myth part. This part of the story confirms what I just wrote: "Not only was he the tallest, strongest, most virile, and best built man they had ever seen, but even though they were looking at him there was no room for him in their imagination". Because of this literary device, we understand that this man was not a normal one. During our reading, we rapidly realize that he will change the mind of the village. Also, it is clear that someone like him cannot exist in real life. The myth is represented by an impossible existence. This myth (Esteban) helps the village to reborn and to become a big family. That is the importance of myths in nation.
In Quebec City, the myth of the language (we are one of the only province who speaks in French) helps us to be a single nation with the same values. This myth is what makes us unique. In our country, we have a lot of myths (La Chasse-Galerie and others) that we know about and that we love. Our past and our nation building make us proud of what we are and of what we have. Myths give us the opportunity to become a nation, to become unique people and to become a big family. Myths give positive to our nation because with them, we are one. Without them, our history is nothing. As a nation, we cannot survive without our identity. This is what myths create for us.
I strongly think that myths are positive for a society. The beauty of myths is that it makes us related to a family, to a past and to a story. We can agree or disagree about the importance of our myths, but they still build what we are now in terms of a society. Also, myths are told from generation to generation. We, as a society, have the obligation to make them live. They are important and crucial for us. This is why and how it makes us proud of living in our country!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Cinderella's Myth: a Hero is born
"I am blessed for what I have, but I believed in it from the beginning. Today, the dream is the same: I still want to travel, I still want to entertain and I most certainly still want to have fun"
Guy Laliberté
Guy Laliberté is one of the Quebecers who made us proud. He embodies well the little boy who can make it big myth.
The little boy from Baie-Saint-Paul was a streets entertainer when he created the Cirque du Soleil in 1984. The young man had huge inspirations and saw his idea became a "must" in Quebec City. Sin 25 years, the Cirque du Soleil creates magic in all the countries they visit.
Guy Laliberté started from nothing when he decided to revolutionize the art of the circus; there were no more animals as the traditional perception. He used the strength of men and their abilities to make the magical shows that take now life all around the world. With him, we can be sure that the entertainment will be perfect. In fact, every detail is important and nothing is left aside. Costumes, choreographies, music and movements are perfect due to a bunch of people. As well, they always have new stuff to present to their public. Shows like Alegria, Dralion and Love last for years and still give magic. The Cirque du Soleil is active in Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Oceania. Not that bad!
Mister Laliberté is now has a 2.5 billion USD fortune. That is quite good for someone who started his company from nothing. Even if he is that rich, Guy Laliberté still remember who he is and where he comes from. He often comes back in Quebec City and he loves his city, his roots.
Last summer, in the Old Quebec, Guy Laliberté and his Cirque du Soleil came in the streets to present Les Chemins Invisibles. This was a show created for the Quebecer. Also, Guy Laliberté engaged a lot of Quebecers artists to participate in this outside entertainment. For our nation, this was an important moment because this show was for us. This free entertainment brought a lot of tourists in the city. It put Quebec on the map. Guy Laliberté was, 25 years ago, a streets entertainer and he came back to streets for us.
Guy Laliberté makes our nation proud of him and of his work. Because of him, we are now known all over the world. This Quebecer represents us and our values everywhere he goes. This hero believes in his dreams and his ambitions. He believes, since 1984, that he is able to do it and he made it. For Quebecers, this is a good example of courage and of determination. If he is able to make his dreams come true, everyone can make it!
Finally, the Cirque du Soleil, an international company, owes it success to the genius of a young dreamer: Guy Laliberté. He fighted for what he believed in and made it true. This young man makes it big 25 years ago and he still work for it today. He represents the "Cinderella myth" but most of all, he represents a proud nation!
Click on the link to watch a video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=fllDB3FK7pl&feature=related
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