Orders, Decorations and Medals

In France, there is a long and proud tradition of bestowing awards, insignias, honors and medals. Some, such as the National Order of the Legion of Honor (the highest order) date back to Napoleon's era. Awarded for "excellent civil or military conduct", it is primarily given to French nationals, although several notable foreigners have also been honored.

Other awards are more regional, but no less international -- several years ago, Matthew was initiated into La Commanderie du Bontemps de Medoc et des Graves, an organization honoring the wine growing brotherhoods along the Gironde and Garonne rivers of the Bordeaux region of France. A photo hanging in our house in Inverness shows Matthew, clad in long maroon velvet robes, pledging fealty to the aims and ambitions of the Commanderie. In fact, this had nothing to do with any particular expertise he might have had in the wines of Bordeaux. Rather, it was the climax of a screenwriting "atelier" he happened to be attending at the fabled Chateau Beychevelle at the time!

Most awards, though, are not so casually given, and we were very honored to receive this invitation shortly after our arrival last week.

Established in the late 1950s by the Minister of Culture, l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres honors “significant contribution to the enrichment of the French cultural inheritance.” The honoree last night is a dear friend of ours, Amanda Sthers, a playwright, novelist, author, screenwriter and filmmaker, who is barely in her early thirties! A seriously prolific and well-regarded artist, her newest book, due out next week, is a biography of Johnny Hallyday.

To our surprise and delight, when we stepped into the dimly lit B.B.B. restaurant last night, the first person we saw -- lounging on a stool at the bar -- was the craggy-featured Monsieur Hallyday himself! He lives in Los Angeles these days, but was in town for both this event, a new movie, the book, and he's planning a new concert tour to Japan.

In the midst of chatting with the very charming M. Hallyday, who should next approach us but Bertrand Delanoë, the bold socialist Mayor of Paris! We all shook hands and exchanged more pleasantries. Clearly, this was to be an "A" party list!

After much meeting and greeting, it was time for the ceremony. Christophe Girard, the mayor of the IVth arrondissement presided. Reading from hand-written notes, he recounted Amanda's precocious life story pretty much from childhood on. She smiled graciously throughout, but seemed relieved when M. Girard finally opened the little box and removed the Insignes de Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres.

The medal itself is an 8-pointed, green-enameled star. The central disc has the letters "A" and "L" on a white enamelled background, surrounded by a golden ring emblazoned with the phrase "République Française." The reverse central disc features the head of Marianne on a golden background, surrounded by a golden ring bearing the words "Ordre des Arts et des Lettres." The ribbon is green with four white stripes.

M. Girard concluded his remarks, and with all
due solemnity, carefully pinned the insignia on Amanda's left chest, as her two little sons looked on proudly, and behind the older one, her old Sorbonne teacher also looked on with equal pride. What a wonderful span of generations!

Amanda's remarks were brief and eloquent. She was so happy!

With the formalities concluded, everyone moved to tables and sat down to a delicious dinner.

We were seated with Amanda's sister and brother-in-law, and a very lovely young actress, Chloe Lambert. Somehow we muddled our way through a lot of French conversation, although the noise level became so high, that I eventually found myself nodding and saying "ah, bon" at what I hoped were appropriate moments!

As the second bottles of wine came around, Amanda's brother and sister took to the microphone and entertained us all with a great selection of familiar "soft rock" numbers.

And if that wasn't impressive enough, up next came Amanda's father, a distinguished Parisian psychiatrist by day. However, it was soon evident where his true love lies! He belted out song after song with such gusto, he had the crowd cheering for more. His son-in-law gave us a link to a u-tube video from 1970, which some of you might enjoy.  I especially love the name of the song he is singing way back then: "Un Jour de Chance" - a lucky day. Clearly it was a lucky day when he helped produce so many talented children.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rud5SavoB28&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 Brava Amanda!

À bientôt!