Today is wednesday
Et si vous partiez à la découverte des Pyrénées-Orientales et de ses traditions en anglais ? Avec PO Life, le magasine et site internet des anglophones du département, c'est dorénavant possible chaque mois. Cette semaine, l'histoire du drapeau catalan et la calçotada. Have fun !!!!!!!!!!!
Un peu d’Histoire : The Catalan Flag
How did the region acquire the blood red stripes on a gold background as its flag ?
According to the legend, in the 9th century AD, Sunifred 1st (Sunifred 1er de Barcelone) was assassinated on the orders of the King of France, Charles the Bald (Charles II Le Chauve). This murder was endorsed and funded by Salomon, Count of Roussillon and took place in front of Sunifred’s son Guifred ‘El Pelut’ (Guifred le Velu).
Years later, El Pelut returned home to Ria and planned to avenge his father’s murder. Finding Salomon on the Cerdagne Plateau, he challenged him to a duel and killed him, but was wounded in the process. Dipping his hand in his own blood, he traced 4 bloody stripes on the surface of his golden shield : the Catalan coat of arms was born.
According to history, however, in 1068 Sanche Ramirez, the King of Aragon, was given the title ‘gonfalonnier’ (standard bearer) to the Pope in return for placing himself and his land in the Pope’s care. Bearing this title gave him the right to ware the Pope’s colour, red and yellow representing blood and gold.
Vocabulaire :
9th century AD : 9ème siècle après JC
to endorse : approuver
to avenge : venger
a wound : une blessure
coat of arms : armoiries
standard bearer : porte-étendard
Un peu de cuisine : Calçotada
Calçots (pronounced cal-show) are a variety of long, thick green onion that have their peak season in January, February, and March.
They are normally cooked on a barbecue and turned and turned until entirely blackened outside and soft and sweet inside.
They are served on an upturned terracotta roof tile, dipped in salvitxada or romesco sauce and accompanied by red wine or cava.
Traditionally, sausages or lamb are served up after the calçots, followed by crema Catalana.
To eat, peel off the blackened outer layer, dip liberally into the sauce, hold above the head and start from the bottom that is dripping in sauce.
Bon profit !
Vocabulaire :
peak season : pleine saison
upturned : retournée
roof tile : tuile de toit
the outer layer : la couche extérieure
Pour se détendre : a daft joke
What do you call an IGLOO without toilet ?
An IG !
‘loo’ étant un mot familier pour toilettes
Poursuivez la découverte des Pyréénes-Orientales en anglais avec le magazine et le site internet des anglophones du département 