German for all

Opinions are strong, German is a language too difficult to understand. But when it is expressed through art, all ears are able to hear it. Financed by the federal government of Germany and represented in 70 countries, the Goethe-Institut’s mission is to promote the influence of German culture. It also promotes international cultural cooperation through intercultural Franco-German and European meetings.

Eric Klemm’s Metamorphosis

Right now, the Institute presents a retrospective entitled Metamorphoses, which exhibits the works of Eric Klemm, a German photographer. The 14 pictures were taken in the heart of a hundred-years-old forest in British Columbia. At first, we discover an idyllic and wild nature. But, if you dwell upon, you can see an abandoned car, almost covered with moss and creepers entwined, which disintegrates over time. It is this nature (human?) that the author wanted to transcribe through these shots. An exhibition that generates questions about our place in nature.

Métamorphoses, an exhibition at the Goethe-Institut until October 20, 2011. Admission free. Open from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 9 pm / from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.

Photo credit: Eric Klemm

Photo credit: Eric Klemm

Goethe-Institut Paris
17, avenue d’Iéna
75116 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.44.43.92.30

See our other recommendations in the area of Passy.

For three years now, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) and the magazine Terre Sauvage hold a partnership, the Fete de la Nature. The 3rd edition offers to live a weekend in the heart of natural sites in France, accompanied by professional and major players in environmental protection.

Fete de la Nature is the opportunity to discover or rediscover the natural resources of nature, to understand the business and the work of foresters. Between friendly exchange and sharing, this celebration is also a good way to discuss problems related to the protection of our ecosystem, according to the riches that we can bring the fauna and flora of our region.

More insolite than parks and public gardens in Paris, you have the opportunity to live an ecofriendly trip around Paris, on the Petite Ceinture (Little Belt). The old railway which was used to transport passengers and cargo freight until 1934, is now a place made for nature, where the calm, the fauna and flora have taken possession of the premises. Abandoned, the tracks are used as walking to the Parisians in search of nature and rest.

In the 16th arrondissement, between the Porte d’Auteuil and Porte de la Muette, you will be able to go for 1500 meters, punctuated by six nature stops. For an overview, visit the website of the City of Paris where a virtual tour of the old station of Auteuil and rue du Ranelagh is proposed. For people with reduced mobility, the Paris City Council offers a “modul’évasion”, motorized equipment to access the field.

Photo credit

Gardens and landscaped areas play an important role in the life of city-dwellers.  Recognizing the ecological importance of such zones can help to improve their access and maintenance. Since 2001, the city of Paris has undertaken a sustainable development initiative which aims to provide continuous improvement of the environmental quality of these gardens. The key stage is that of certification. The Hôtel Gavarni itself is aiming to obtain an eco-label.

The Ecocert certification body has designed a label known as EVE (Espaces Verts Ecologiques) which recognizes eco-friendly management of landscapes. Launched in 2006 in 16 Parisian parks, it was progressively extended last year to another 60 or so parks in the capital. The label, awarded by Ecocert for a period of one year following an audit, can be renewed following a second inspection.

This initiative to promote eco-friendly management of green areas corresponds to a number of objectives:
- reducing ambient pollution (air, noise, etc) and other hazards (soil and water pollution, etc)
- encouraging the development of fauna, flora and biodiversity
- responsible water management
- introducing GM-free, low-maintenance plants
- responsible garden waste management
- introducing waste sorting available for the public, etc
The 60 certified parks and gardens include the Parc de Passy and the square belonging to the Musée Galliera, both located in the 16th arrondissement, just down the road from the Gavarni.

Do you find the air’s better in the country than in major cities such as Paris? From now on, there’s a balloon to inform you about air quality in the capital.

The balloon has been moored in the André-Citroen park for some years now and has become a landmark in southern Paris. It’s continuing to fulfil its initial vocation – that of taking on board passengers so they can experience the fun of going up in the air.
From now on, however, it will also be providing information about the air quality in Paris: red means bad, green means good.

The André-Citroen park balloon will be visible for up to almost 40km.

This display will work using two separate lighting systems:
- for air quality in areas close to traffic, a system of light-emitting diodes (visible night and day) will be arranged around the lower part of the balloon,

- for the city’s ambient air quality, there will be a system lighting up the whole of the balloon using colour bulbs located on the inside (which will be more visible at night).

It will thus be possible for air quality indications based on the levels of pollution in general and close to traffic recorded by the Airparif network’s monitoring stations to vary independently of each other.

An information and exhibition area which is both fun and educational will also be installed at the foot of the balloon to explain to younger Parisians how people’s everyday behaviour affects air quality.

This will enable Paris schools to continue to familiarise their pupils with the pleasures of the aérostation free of charge, at the same time as introducing them to the issue of air quality in Paris.

Source: Paris.fr

The “Fête de la Nature”,  is open to all: an opportunity to discover or rediscover the hidden wealth of biodiversity in France and share a desire to protect and celebrate it.
The Fête de la Nature will enable everybody in France to experience an exceptional weekend in the heart of natural sites which are outstanding or simply everyday, in the company of professionals and volunteers whose job and passion is protecting, managing and enhancing nature and ensuring its ongoing diversity. The aim of this event is to enable the population to reforge strong ties with nature and acquire (or recover) the pleasure it brings us. Wonder gives rise to a desire to understand and thus to preserve.

The Fête de la Nature will also be a strategic moment for raising awareness of urgent situations and the issue of protecting biodiversity both in France and abroad.

In addition, it’s an opportunity for everyone to reflect on the place of mankind in nature and consider our responsibility to protect biodiversity.

La Fête de la nature -> 24 and 25 of may 2008.