Apr

A Paris Cultural Experience: Auctions by Candle

by Meredith Mullins on April 4, 2013

Lighting of the candle at the Chambres des Notaires auction by the candle, a Paris cultural experience that mixes old with new.

Paris auction “by the candle”
© Meredith Mullins

A Melange of Centuries

Many of us have a soft spot for nostalgia. We may admire the work of artisans who make quality long-lasting products with loving hands, or we may marvel at how early cultures invented what was needed to survive and sometimes made their tools so beautiful in design that they became, for us, works of art.

We can appreciate the elements of the past that make us slow down and focus on the simpler things in life.

The Oh, I see revelation, for me, is that the most rewarding moments are when nostalgia can be interwoven with modern life so that we have the best of all worlds. A cultural experience that is lost in time.

Starbucks coffee in the shadow of Notre Dame, a cultural experience that blends the old with the new.

A Starbucks birthday toast to Notre Dame (happy 850th!).
© Meredith Mullins

Everyday Life: The Old with the New

In a city like Paris, so richly layered with history, I have memorable time-warped OIC moments everyday, as old and new thread together.

I can walk from my 17th century apartment and look up at the 850-year-old Notre Dame, with a Starbucks latte in hand.

Young man texting in the Arenes de Lutece, a cultural experience that mixes old and new.

Hangin’ out at the Arènes de Lutèce
© Meredith Mullins

I can watch teens texting as they lounge on ancient stone in the Arènes de Lutèce, the amphitheater in the Latin Quarter built in the 1st century AD by the Gallo-Romans for gladiatorial combat.

I can look west from the obelisk at Place de la Concorde toward the Arc de Triomphe and see the skyscrapers of La Défense in the smoggy distance (ugh!).

And, I can go to a real estate auction at the Chambre des Notaires, where the “going once, going twice” rhythm of the auctioneer’s gavel is replaced by . . . who would guess? The lighting of candles.

Chambres des Notaires building, a Paris cultural experience that mixes old and new.

Chambres des Notaires Building, housing the auction “by the candle.”
© Meredith Mullins

Vente à la Bougie

The “vente à la bougie” (sale by the candle) dates from the 15th century, where waiting for the candle to burn out after each bid was meant to give everyone a fair chance at thoughtful buying.

Today, it remains a charming tradition . . . and adds a certain elegant (and humorous!) quality to the auction.

The auction room is modern, with a huge flat screen that projects photos and details of the buildings, houses, and apartments that are up for sale. Then, on the stage platform, amongst the computers, microphones, and wires, is a silver candle holder and candelabra.

For the “sale by the candle,” a candle is lit at the beginning of the auction. When the bidding seems to be coming to an end for a particular item (that is, when all is quiet), another candle is lit and placed in the candelabra to indicate a call for last bids.

Lighting the first candle at the auction by the candle, a cultural experience that mixes old and new.

The beginning of the waiting period before the “last fire” and the bidding is closed.
© Meredith Mullins

If no one bids, a final candle is lit and the auctioneer announces “le dernier feu” or “the last fire.” When this candle goes out, the auctioneer announces “éteint” or “extinguished,” which signals that the bidding is closed for that item.

During this process, the potential landowners and apartment magnates have plenty of time to reflect. Impulse buying is controlled, and buyer’s remorse is almost nonexistent.

Of course, if someone bids again before the last candle goes out, a new candle must be lit. And, if someone bids before that candle goes out, another new candle must be lit. And so on and so on.

The room of anxious bidders learns the true meaning of patience. Drama builds, flames flicker, time passes. And, for those few timeless moments, the room lives in the 15th century.

How long will a cultural experience like this be part of our everyday life? How long can we hold on to these charming vestiges of the past?

Time will tell.

But, sadly, I imagine they will soon be going, going . . . gone.

What remnant from the past will make you sad when it’s gone?

If you’re thinking of going to this auction “by the candle,” visit Chambres des Notaires, and for more information on buying property in France, note the second article in this piece by Adrian Leeds.

Special thanks to Maureen and Christian Anouge and Rayan for their photo assistance.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

Meredith Mullins Comments

Cultural Heritage & Traditions/France (Paris)

Mar

The Yin and Yang of Crossing Cultures

by Sheron Long on March 28, 2013

Yin-yang symbol representing a concept learned by crossing cultures

Yin and yang are always on the plate of life.

Embracing Different Cultures

Often the first taste of another culture is through its food or music or fashion, something like “hello.” But people who find a way of crossing cultures—stepping inside the culture’s traditions, language, history, attitudes, and beliefs—are forever changed by the experience.

Sheron Long Comments

Crossing Cultures/Cultural Heritage & Traditions/The World's Art & Design/Vietnam

Mar

A Color-Saturated Cultural Tradition: Playing Holi

by Janine Boylan on March 25, 2013

A Young Boy Playing Holi, a Hindu Cultural Tradition

A young boy laughs with glee during Holi.
© Nitesh Chakravarti

Painting the Town Red (and Yellow and Green and Blue . . .)

Not long ago, richly-hued photos of people rejoicing during Holi, a Hindu tradition, caught my eye.

What is this crayon-colored holiday all about?

After some research, I learned that Holi is celebrated to welcome spring (this year it is celebrated on March 27). It is observed primarily in India and Nepal, but its popularity is growing world-wide. And it has been celebrated for centuries.

A centuries-old cultural tradition that I knew nothing about? There has to be an Oh, I See moment in this!

How Is Holi Celebrated?

In most areas, Holi lasts two days. On the first day, people gather around a public bonfire, lit near midnight, to sing and dance. They smear the ashes on their faces as a protection against evil.

This tradition is linked to Hindu mythology. One legend tells this story:

Once, a harsh, egotistical king demanded that everyone worship him. But the king’s son, Prahlad, refused and prayed to Lord Vishnu instead.
The evil king attempted to murder his son numerous times, but Lord Vishnu protected Prahlad. Finally, the evil king conspired with his sister, Holika. Knowing she was immune to fire, the king asked his sister to enter a bonfire with Prahlad in her lap.
Holika tricked her nephew to enter the flames with her. But, unknown to even her, Holika’s immunity worked only when she entered fire alone, so she was consumed in the flames. Prahlad’s unceasing prayers to Lord Vishnu protected him from the fire.

The word Holi comes from Holika and is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. The bonfires on the first night of the Holi holiday celebrate Prahlad’s escape from the flames.

And Day Two?

On the second day of Holi, people throw dry colored powder, or gulal, on one another. They also spray one another with colored water, or rang. These flying colors are why people call Holi, “The Festival of Colors.”

People Playing Holi, a Hindu Cultural Tradition

This color-throwing tradition is rooted in another Hindu story.

As a youngster, the deity Krishna wailed how unjust it was that he had dark skin while his playmate Radha had fair skin. To soothe him, his mother suggested that Krishna color Radha’s face any color he desired. The mischievous god smeared color all over Radha’s face, making her look like him.

Now part of the Holi celebration is to joyfully drench others in color, as Krishna did to Radha.

A Crowd Playing Holi, a Hindu Cultural Tradition

A Holiday for Everyone

Holi has another tradition: people who usually are separated for social reason— young and old, men and women, rich and poor—all come together to dance and play and have fun.

Around the World

As people move and carry their rich cultural traditions to their new homes, they introduce others to celebrations like Holi.

This year large Holi celebrations are planned worldwide, including:

In Palo Alto, CA, Asha for Education has a large Holi celebration. Proceeds will benefit education in India.
In New York City, NYC Bhangra is helping organize a Holi festival. NYC Bhangra is an Indian dance organization with the goal of promoting a better understanding of Indian culture through education and performance.
Throughout Europe, Holi One offers Holi events throughout the spring. The events include music and dance and lots of color.

Oh, I see! Sharing in the riches of this colorful Hindu tradition gives people all over the world a vibrant way to celebrate the colors of spring!

VIA holifestival.org

Note: In the past decade, groups like Toxics Link have been raising awareness about the dangers lurking in the synthetic powders sold on the streets in India during Holi. These powders may contain toxins that cause eye problems, skin allergies, and even kidney failure. People encourage using natural-based colors during Holi. (The specific events listed above will have safe colors.) In addition, due to severe drought, groups are encouraging a dry Holi in India this year.