Romy News - 27 March 2024

Hi there and welcome to a new episode of “Romy News”! Today is Wednesday, and as we do every mid-week, we will explore exciting things together. How about taking a leap back 150 years to talk about a very special artistic movement? Or perhaps you’re curious to know since when people have been able to enjoy holidays without going to school or work? And for our Wednesday geography topic, we’ll head to Denmark, a fascinating country! Grab your discovery notebook, because we’re starting right away. Let’s go! …

Imagine yourself 150 years ago, at a time when new painters started painting in a way never seen before. That’s the birth of the Impressionist revolution! Today, I’ll help you understand the beginnings of Impressionism, the techniques used by these artists, and the huge impact they had on the art world.

After the war in 1870 and the events of the Commune in Paris, France embarked on a movement towards modernity. It’s in this exciting context that the first exhibition of a group of revolutionary artists took place on April 15, 1874. Artists like Monet, Renoir, and Degas displayed their works in the studio of the famous photographer Nadar, on Boulevard des Capucines in Paris. It was a unique opportunity for them to exhibit their works.

These painters brought a whole new artistic approach: they painted what they saw, with quick strokes and vibrant colors to capture a specific moment. They aimed to depict the effects of light and time rather than representing reality exactly. In fact, it was Monet’s painting, “Impression, Sunrise,” which, mocked by journalist Louis Leroy, accidentally gave its name to the movement: Impressionism.

Impressionism paved the way for modern art. To celebrate this artistic movement, the Orsay Museum in Paris is organizing the exhibition “Paris 1874. Inventing Impressionism,” bringing together renowned works with the participation of museums from around the world. A virtual reality experience even allows visitors to immerse themselves in the first exhibition and the world of the painters of that era! So cool!

Why not try painting or drawing a moment from your day inspired by the Impressionists, maybe using oil pastels or watercolors? Share your creations with me on Instagram and show us how you see the world! …

After a colorful anniversary, let’s address a question from one of our curious young listeners: “When were vacations invented?”. So get ready to discover how this idea became a reality, the struggles to achieve it, and the immense impact on our lives.

Let’s go back to the 19th century, a time when the idea of rest for workers was just emerging. In 1906, before it became a common practice, the Kodak company in the United States offered paid vacations to its employees, a real innovation at the time. This meant that for the first time, people could take vacations and relax! But for the majority of workers, the reality was different: working conditions were tough, and the concept of vacations did not exist.

The history of paid vacations, the more serious name for holidays, is linked to the fights led by trade unions, associations that fight for workers’ rights, and labor movements. A decisive moment occurred in France on June 7, 1936, with the signing of the Matignon agreements, when paid vacations officially became part of French law after huge strikes. Before that date, the idea of not working while still receiving a salary seemed almost magical to many workers.

Paid vacations had a very positive effect on the well-being and health of French employees and unleashed a boom in tourism. They opened up a world of possibilities, allowing people to explore new regions, discover other cultures, and enrich their personal and professional lives! What a great idea!

Paid vacations transformed society by giving workers leisure time, precious time to rest and flourish. What do you think the creation of paid vacations has changed in France? Tell me about it on Instagram, I can’t wait to read your thoughts! …

On one side, paid vacations and their benefits on our quality of life, and on the other, a country where quality of life is a true model: Denmark. In our Wednesday geography topic, let’s discover this small Scandinavian country, famous for its Vikings and charming capital, Copenhagen.

Danish Vikings were once feared across Europe, but today Denmark is known as a peaceful and democratic kingdom. Danes place great importance on their culture and language, Danish. They are also very skilled in literature, writing novels. You might know Hans Christian Andersen who wrote famous tales like “The Little Mermaid.” A significant cultural event is the celebration of Sankt Hans, where Danes light bonfires to celebrate summer and perpetuate Viking traditions.

Located in Northern Europe, Denmark consists of the large Jutland peninsula and over 400 islands, surrounded by the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The climate is said to be temperate maritime, ideal for those who enjoy mild weather. Its population, centered around the city of Copenhagen, is renowned for their kindness. Ask your parents or your teacher to show it to you on a map.

In Denmark, globally renowned brands like LEGO have been created! Danes place great importance on gender equality, the concept of happiness (the famous “hygge”), and a highly developed social welfare system. “Hygge” is a way to appreciate and celebrate the simple pleasures of everyday life.

In terms of the environment, Denmark excels in renewable energies, using many wind turbines to produce electricity. Copenhagen aims to become the world’s first carbon-neutral capital by 2025.

Denmark is a small country with a big heart, showing how to combine historical traditions and modern innovations. Thanks to its balanced society and environmental respect, Denmark positively influences the rest of the world. …

My episode for today is almost over. We’ve traveled back in time for you to understand the revolutionary beginnings of Impressionism and its lasting impact on modern art. We’ve also traced the history of paid vacations that transformed workers’ lives. Lastly, you’ve discovered Denmark, a fantastic little country!

I hope you enjoyed these discoveries and feel inspired to learn more! Feel free to share your artistic creations, your thoughts on paid vacations, and everything you’ve learned about Denmark with me on Instagram.

See you tomorrow for more exciting adventures!