Le Chandeleur

French people love traditions. There is always a real sense of community on feast days and festivals in towns and villages around the country. The French eat pancakes (Crêpes) on “La Chandeleur”, which falls on the 40th day after Christmas. On this day everyone, young and old, feast on “Les Crêpes”. I was hoping to invite my junior French students into my kitchen this week for the mayhem and fun of “La Chandeleur” day. However it is 2021 and we are in lockdown again to prevent the spread of Covid. Consequently school beyond the home happens online.

Zoom lessons.https://www.harristownhouse.ie/french/spanish-school

Le Gâteau au yaourt

Even though we could not have class in the school at Harristown we had a fun-filled virtual cooking lesson. I chose another French favourite “Gâteau au yaourt” as I thought perhaps flipping pancakes in the student’s own kitchen might be problematic for some. Following an aborted start due to technical ineptitude on my part, we managed to have a super busy session after which my students sent me lots of photos of their culinary masterpieces…..

Gâteau au Yaourt

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras translates to fat Tuesday. This day is full of festivity. Francophone countries and regions all over the world celebrate Mardi Gras. In Ireland it is traditional to eat pancakes as it is Shrove Tuesday for us, but in France they get out into the streets of their towns, big and small for parades and fun. Although I wonder how or if it will happen in these Covid times. We shall see. Part of the celebrations involve dressing up and wearing “Le masque”. To help bring a little of these French festivities into your house I have attached a PDF of instructions on how children can make their own masks. There is also a competition on our HHL School facebook page. Closing date February 19th!

My Mardi Gras masque

Le-masque-du-Mardi-GrasDownload