FETE SOLIDAIRE ANNUELLE / ANNUAL SOLIDARITY FESTIVAL - 26/06/2016
(ANGLOPHONES, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN)
(ANGLOPHONES, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN)
Pour cette après-midi solidaire, nous avons été bénis des dieux !
La météo fluctuante des jours précédents nous avait donné des sueurs froides mais nous avons bénéficié d'une température très agréable et d'un soleil - jouant un peu à cache-cache avec les nuages - assez généreux pour que tous puissent évoluer dans le jardin et sur la terrasse.
Nous avons ouvert cette 11ème édition de notre fête par un hommage à Melinda Tims qui fut notre secrétaire depuis la création de EW en 2003. Le mois de juin dernier, elle était parmi nous. Elle nous a quittés le 29 août 2015. Nous ne l'oublions pas. Son enthousiasme, son énergie, son engagement ont permis à notre association de mener à bien des combats - souvent difficiles - en faveur des plus démunis. Cette journée lui est dédiée.
L'après-midi s'est déroulée dans une ambiance chaleureuse et conviviale, comme à l'ordinaire. Ce fut l'occasion pour les "anciens" de se retrouver et d'échanger idées et impressions, pour les nouveaux, de découvrir notre association. Plusieurs participants ont évoqué la situation des migrants. EW pourrait-elle en tant qu'association leur apporter une aide quelconque ? Il y a là matière à réflexion. Nous soutenons des étrangers chez eux, pourquoi ne pas le faire ici lorsque le malheur les pousse à venir chez nous ? EW y réfléchit. Toute suggestion est la bienvenue.
 |
| Danseuses arméniennes / Armenian dancers |
Pendant toute la durée de la manifestation, nous avons écouté avec bonheur, voix et musiques diverses : blues, jazz, airs populaires qui ont conduit certains sur la piste de danse... Un merci tout particulier à Bernard Laplace.
L'association "Hayer de Poitou" avait aussi répondu à notre appel. Nous avons goûté la grâce et l'élégance des jeunes danseuses arméniennes, vêtues de longues robes bleues, évoluant sur la terrasse ou dans le jardin. Un grand merci à elles et à Anouch, la présidente de leur association.
Les stands ont également été appréciés, en particulier celui de l'artisanat et, bien sûr, la buvette où les gâteaux - fournis par membres et amis de EW - ont rapidement disparu...
 |
| Buffet |
La journée s'est terminée par le tirage de la tombola. 45 lots cette année dont une machine à coudre électrique, de magnifiques livres d'art (Miro, Goya, Frida Khalo, etc...), des objets d'artisanat, etc...
Un très grand merci à tous ceux et celles qui nous ont aidés avant, pendant et après la fête.
Bon été à tous. Nous nous retrouverons à la rentrée. EW.
(Voir plus loin pour d'autres photos et videos)
ENGLISH - LANGUAGE VERSION
For this afternoon of solidarity, we have been blessed by the gods!
The constantly changing weather of the last few days was giving us
cold sweats but we were granted comfortable temperatures and pleasant
sunshine - playing hide and seek with the clouds - affording all to
enjoy the garden and patio.
We opened our 11th annual party by celebrating Melinda Tims, our
Secretary from the onset of EW in 2003. Last June she was among us.
She was taken from us on August 29, 2015. She will not be forgotten.
Her enthusiasm, endless energy, her commitment enabled us to win some fights- often tough ones - in favor of the the least fortunate. We dedicate
this day to her.
The afternoon, as usual, went by in a warm and friendly
atmosphere. It was an opportunity for the "old members" to come
together and express ideas and feelings and for the new ones to
discover our NGO. Some of us brought up the migrant's situation. As an
NGO, could EW be of some help? This calls for debate. We support
foreigners in their homelands, why not do it here when tragedy forces
them unto our shores? EW is thinking about it. Any and all suggestions
are welcome.
Throughout the party, we enjoyed various voices and music. blues,
jazz, folk songs driving some to the dance floor... A special thank
you to Bernard Laplace.
The association "Hayer du Poitou" also answered our call. We had a
taste of grace and elegance from the young Armenian dancers, adorned
in long blue dresses, waltzing around the patio and garden. We are
very grateful to them and Anouch, the association's President. The
booths were well liked, particularly the handicrafts, and of course
the food and beverages where the cakes, provided by members and friends
of EW, quickly vanished...
We ended the day with the traditional raffle. 45 prizes this year including an electric sewing machine, beautiful art books ( Miro, Goya, Frieda Khalo, etc...), handicrafts, etc...
Thank you very much to all those who helped before, during and after the party.
Have a wonderful summer. EW.
The constantly changing weather of the last few days was giving us
cold sweats but we were granted comfortable temperatures and pleasant
sunshine - playing hide and seek with the clouds - affording all to
enjoy the garden and patio.
 |
| Armenian dancers |
We opened our 11th annual party by celebrating Melinda Tims, our
Secretary from the onset of EW in 2003. Last June she was among us.
She was taken from us on August 29, 2015. She will not be forgotten.
Her enthusiasm, endless energy, her commitment enabled us to win some fights- often tough ones - in favor of the the least fortunate. We dedicate
this day to her.
The afternoon, as usual, went by in a warm and friendly
atmosphere. It was an opportunity for the "old members" to come
together and express ideas and feelings and for the new ones to
discover our NGO. Some of us brought up the migrant's situation. As an
NGO, could EW be of some help? This calls for debate. We support
foreigners in their homelands, why not do it here when tragedy forces
them unto our shores? EW is thinking about it. Any and all suggestions
are welcome.
Throughout the party, we enjoyed various voices and music. blues,
jazz, folk songs driving some to the dance floor... A special thank
you to Bernard Laplace.
The association "Hayer du Poitou" also answered our call. We had a
taste of grace and elegance from the young Armenian dancers, adorned
in long blue dresses, waltzing around the patio and garden. We are
very grateful to them and Anouch, the association's President. The
booths were well liked, particularly the handicrafts, and of course
the food and beverages where the cakes, provided by members and friends
of EW, quickly vanished...
We ended the day with the traditional raffle. 45 prizes this year including an electric sewing machine, beautiful art books ( Miro, Goya, Frieda Khalo, etc...), handicrafts, etc...
 |
| Handicrafts |
Thank you very much to all those who helped before, during and after the party.
Have a wonderful summer. EW.
