In 2017, during a French lesson, I asked why Muslim girls couldn’t wear the hijab in French schools. The answer was simple: “All religious symbols are banned in French schools”. Not knowing any better, and being the only Muslim in my class, I thought nothing else of it. No religious symbols – it puts everyone…
Global
France to declassify Algerian War documents
President of France, Emmanuel Macron, has announced the relaxation of rules for the declassification of documents related to the Algerian War (1954-62) in a move to reconcile with its colonial past and improve relations with its former colony. The war, which resulted in the independence of the North African nation had huge ramifications in both…
Global
Beheading in France shocks nation
47-year-old French history and geography teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded in public on the 16th October in the Paris suburb of Éragny by 18-year-old Chechen refugee Abdullakh Anzorov after showing students a picture of the Prophet Muhammed 10 days before to teach the class about freedom of expression. Anzorov was shot dead by French police….
Sport
UEA midfielder on coping with lockdown in France.
UEA central midfielder, Sam Nelson, is currently on his year abroad in Toulouse, studying French and International Relations, choosing to remain there for the rest of the summer. Like in Britain, the country is just starting to lift some of its lockdown measures. “All the shops are just opening, and libraries, but no bars or…
Global
Police remove 1,600 migrants from Paris camps
Following promises of increased immigration crackdowns and controls, two of Paris’ large migrant camps, one at Porte de la Chapelle and one at Seine-Saint-Denis, were raided on Thursday 7 November. The dismantling of the camps came just a day after the French president Macron declared that the government would work towards closing down all makeshift…
Travel
Paris: My time in the city of love
The city of love, home to the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and last but not least, my summer destination this year. Paris was the city that my boyfriend and I chose for our first holiday together and also somewhere to celebrate my 21st birthday. It was a perfect fit – providing a rich…
News
Norwich Refugee Week begins with events in city and university
A week of events promoting further understanding of refugees has begun in Norwich with events on campus and in the city. Norwich Refugee Week is aiming to bring communities across Norfolk together from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rdJune. This nationwide programme of events consists of schools, cafes, community groups and arts centres hosting cultural, educational and…
Global
Fire at Notre Dame
Fire ravaged one of France’s most famous buildings on April 15. The exact cause is still unclear, but is thought to be related to ongoing rebuilding works. Most of the building retained integrity however the spire and roof were both destroyed. Important artefacts, such as the crown of thorns, were saved but others suffered…
Travel
Airports: High-flyers and more
Throughout our lives, we spend a lot of our time in airports, even more so since travelling is highly accessible in this day and age. Your experience in an airport can completely affect your mood for the rest of your trip which is why it’s important for them to be accommodating and pleasant spaces. Here’s…
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