Romy News - 13 April 2024

Hello there! Welcome to today’s episode of “Romy News”. It’s Saturday, the perfect day to discover amazing new things together! Today, we’ll talk about an extraordinary journey to the Moon, ponder about the sleeping volcanoes in France, and learn about a very famous gentleman named Molière. Let’s go! …

Today, I’m going to tell you about some big news from space! Do you know about the Artemis program? It’s a very ambitious project by NASA, the American space agency, aiming to send astronauts back to the Moon. And guess what? For the first time, a Japanese astronaut will be part of the crew on one of these missions! It’s a historic moment for Japan and shows how countries can work together to explore space.

The Artemis program has big goals. It’s not just about sending people to the Moon, but also about building a base there where astronauts could live for a while. They also want to create a space station that would orbit around the Moon and develop new spacecraft. All of this to establish a lasting human presence on the Moon. And you know what? They even think about going to Mars one day! The spacecraft that will take them there is called Orion, and the program’s name, Artemis, comes from the Greek goddess of the Moon, a nod to the past Apollo missions.

Now, let’s talk about the Japanese astronaut who might walk on the Moon. Their name hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s big news for Japan as it would be the first time one of their astronauts does that. He or she had to undergo special training with NASA to prepare. The mission, called Artemis 3, is scheduled for 2026. It will be the first time people are sent to the Moon since 1972! They will spend time there conducting very important scientific experiments. Japan has already worked a lot with other countries on space exploration, like with the International Space Station.

International cooperation is really important for Moon missions. By working together, countries can share their knowledge, resources, and make great technological progress. Other countries like Europe, Canada, and Australia are also involved in Artemis. It’s great because it shows that when we work together, we can achieve great things, like going to the Moon or even Mars! Astronauts from different countries are already setting an example by working together on the International Space Station.

Just imagine for a moment how the Japanese astronaut must feel about being the first from their country to walk on the Moon. It’s amazing, isn’t it? I hope you’ll follow along with me the progress of the Artemis program and the future missions. It’s a reminder that space exploration is important for all of us. It teaches us a lot, inspires us, and shows us what we can accomplish together. …

After talking about faraway explorations on the Moon, let’s come back to Earth with a very interesting question from Lucas, who is in CM1 in Niort. “Will the Auvergne volcanoes wake up?” It’s a great question to understand our planet. The Auvergne volcanoes, located in the center of France, have been dormant for thousands of years.

The Auvergne volcanoes were very active a long time ago, between 70,000 and 8,000 years ago. Among them, Puy de Dôme and Puy de Sancy are the most famous. The last major eruption, that of Montcineyre, dates back to about 8,000 years ago. Since then, everything seems calm. But in 1825, the ascent of Puy de Dôme marked the beginning of its touristic appeal. And recent earthquakes, like the magnitude 5.4 one in 2019, make us wonder about their activity.

These volcanoes are called “shield volcanoes” because they are formed by flows of fluid lava, giving them gentle slopes. The magma, quite cold and viscous, makes the eruptions less explosive. The region is special because it is located on a continental rift, where the Earth’s mantle rises, explaining the volcanic activity. Puy de Dôme even has a meteorological observatory since 1876 to study these phenomena.

Even though the chances of a major eruption seem limited, they exist: slow lava flows, explosions due to underground hot water, and even land collapses. Cities like Clermont-Ferrand could be affected. Scientists are closely monitoring these volcanoes, with seismometers and other instruments to detect any signs of activity. And there are even emergency plans in case something happens.

Although the chances of seeing these volcanoes wake up soon are low, they are closely monitored. It’s an incredible opportunity for you to discover these dormant giants. With your parents, why not go see an Auvergne volcano up close? It’s a great way to see science in action and understand how we prepare for natural risks. …

After exploring the mysteries of the Auvergne volcanoes, let’s change scenery for our Saturday topic dedicated to great artists. Let’s talk about a giant of French literature and theater, who knew how to combine the art of words and the stage like no one else: Molière. This man, whose real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, left an indelible mark on the history of world theater thanks to his comedic genius and observations of society at his time.

Born in 1622 in Paris, Molière grew up in a wealthy family, his father being a rich tapestry maker. Although he studied law, his love for theater prevailed early on. In 1643, he created “L’Illustre Théâtre” with friends, but his beginnings were far from easy. After fleeing Paris due to debts, he triumphantly returned in 1658, under the protection of King Louis XIV. That’s where his theatrical adventure took a decisive turn.

Among his major works, we find “Les Précieuses ridicules”, “Tartuffe”, a daring critique of religious hypocrisy censored for five years, or “The Misanthrope”, his masterpiece. “The Miser”, “The Bourgeois Gentleman”, and “The Imaginary Invalid” are other examples of his talent to observe and satirize human flaws. Molière even risked the anger of the Church and the authorities, as with “Tartuffe”, where the king had to intervene to allow the performances.

Molière is not just a name in history books. His plays are performed all over the world, adapted for cinema and television, and studied in schools. He is considered the pinnacle of comedic writing in France, having influenced theater and comedy to this day. Despite the greatness of his work, his funeral was marked by the rejection of the Church, due to his profession as an actor, reflecting the tensions between art and religion of his time.

To wrap up, why not try, yourself, to stage a scene from a Molière play? It will allow you to discover his unique style and feel the impact he had on theatrical art. Molière remains a pillar of French culture, an artist who managed to capture the essence of humanity with humor and finesse.

And there you have it, that’s all for today! I hope you enjoyed our journey from space with the Artemis program and the future Japanese astronaut on the Moon, to the mysteries of the Auvergne volcanoes, and back in time, meeting Molière, this giant of French theater. Each topic we explored shows how rich and fascinating our world and history are.

I encourage you to stay curious, ask questions, and explore everything that interests you. And if you liked our adventure today, don’t forget to share your thoughts or questions. You can always reach out to me on Instagram. I can’t wait to discover what you think and what you would like to learn in the upcoming episodes.

So, until next time, keep learning, dreaming, and questioning the world around you. See you soon for another exciting story with “Romy News”!