Story of the Week:

Spies Sam, Clover and Alex, also known as Totally Spies, are called to the rescue for a top secret mission of the utmost importance: For reasons unknown, the mad robot scientist Doctor Vortex threatens to release his brand new nanorobots into the ocean, endangering the world’s ecological balance. Without a moment’s hesitation, our super heroines recruit a team of fearless young people to assist them on their mission to infiltrate the doctor’s top-secret underwater lair and foil his plan. Will they manage to save the world?

Cultural Focus : 

Totally Spies! is a French animated television series consisting of 156 22-minute episodes created by Vincent Chalvon-Demersay and David Michel launched on November 3, 2001. It was also co-produced with Canada from the third to the fifth season. Although a French production, it was released first in the United States. In Quebec, the series is broadcast on Télétoon.

Totally Spies was inspired by Charlie’s Angels, an American television series from the 1970s. The tone of the series is a mixture of humor and action, and parodies stereotypes existing in teen series and spy films.

A great success and fashion phenomenon in the 2000s, mainly in France and Quebec, the series gave birth to a media franchise and large merchandise line, as well as a film adaptation, Totally Spies- The Movie, released in 2009.

Story of the Week: 

It’s July of 1991, and professional diver Henri Cosquer decides to return to the South of France to explore an underwater cave in Marseille’s Triperie cove with a group of friends. Captivated by destiny upon discovering its entrance in 1985, he was determined to unravel all the secrets it held. The Mediterranean Sea is full of wonders, but Henri soon found one he didn’t expect:  As the team moved through the cavity, they came across the outline of a hand and a cave painting! The prehistoric works of the now-called Cosquer Cave had finally been brought to light after 21,000 years in hiding.

The summer 2024, however, brings a tragedy: a landslide destroys the entire cave, and the cave paintings are forever lost, trapped underwater… Fortunately, a world-renowned scientist has an idea: Thanks to the time machine that she has invented and the help of her young apprentices, she will be able to go back in time a few months to prevent the catastrophe! Departure in 3, 2, 1…

But- what on earth? The travelers can scarcely believe their eyes: Before them stands a prehistoric woman! It seems they’ve landed, not in 2024, but in 20,000 BCE! Let the adventure begin…

Cultural Focus : 

The Cosquer Cave is located in the Calanque de Morgiou in Marseille, France, near Cap Morgiou. The entrance to the cave is located 37 m (121 ft) underwater. The cave contains various prehistoric rock art engravings. Its submarine entrance was discovered in 1985 by Henri Cosquer, a professional diver. The underwater passage leading to the cave was progressively explored until 1990 by cave divers without the divers being aware of the archaeological character of the cave. It is only in the last period (1990-1991) of the progressive underwater explorations that the cave divers were able to access the non-submerged part of the cave. When its existence was made public in 1991 after 3 divers were lost in the cave and died, the cave was named after Henri Cosquer.

Story of the Week : 

Researchers undertake a mission to locate the Caribbean Manatee, which has been classified as critically endangered on the red list of threatened species since 1982. During their investigation, their attention is drawn to a strange map written in French revealing the existence of a treasure in the region. Our intrepid adventurers embark on a thrilling quest, leading them from Martinique to New Orleans. The adventure could well hold some surprises…

Cultural Focus : 

The Francophonie of the Antilles is made up of more than 9.7 million French speakers and learners, making it the second-largest group of French speakers in the Americas, second only to North America. In Haiti alone, there are more than 7 million speakers and learners, and Martinique and Guadeloupe have 700,000 French speakers. To better understand the origins of the Francophonie in the Antilles, we recommend this article written by Le Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques.

The Caribbean Manatee (Trichechus manatus) is the largest surviving species of mammal of the order Sirenians (which also includes the Dugong and the extinct species, the Steller’s Rhytine). The IUCN (January 24, 2023) has classified the species in category CE (critically endangered) on the red list of threatened species since 1982. The species has declined in population by more than 10% in 20 years. This rare species is now protected throughout the world. The Caribbean Manatee has now disappeared from many islands in the Antilles such as Martinique and Guadeloupe. Although it has no predators, human expansion has reduced its habitat in coastal marshes and many animals are injured by speedboat propellers.

Story of the Week: 

This Monday, July 1, 2024, is the big day: The Cantonal Museum of Fine Art in Lausanne, Switzerland, is hosting an event in which several artists will create original works live and in front of visitors. The day before the event, however, while celebrating the launch of the exhibition with a chocolate cake, the artists suddenly all fall sick. How will they perform at the museum in the morning?! The museum must quickly find replacements for them and investigate the origin of their tragic food poisoning- could it all be part of an evil plan, or simply an accident? Prepare your brushes… and your detective magnifying glasses!

Cultural Focus : 

Lausanne, a Swiss city located on the banks of picturesque Lake Geneva, embodies the elegance and cultural diversity of French-speaking Switzerland. As the capital of the canton of Vaud, it offers a unique blend of tradition and modernity with its medieval streets, lively squares and renowned contemporary institutions. French is the official language there, which testifies to its deep roots in French-speaking Swiss culture. The city is also home to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee, reinforcing its status as a global center for sport.

In addition to its four official national languages ​​(German, French, Italian and Romansh), Switzerland is home to a multitude of regional languages, reflecting its linguistic diversity. These regional variations are often a reflection of the complex history and cultural influences in different parts of the country.

Story of the Week: 

Only 18 days remain before the opening of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but disaster has struck: The Olympic flame has mysteriously disappeared! For the international committee organizing the event, launching the Games without the famous torch lighting ceremony would be impossible! While the world holds its breath, the Paris police commissioner mobilizes a team of young investigators to solve the mystery. The stakes are high to discover who stole the sacred emblem and, above all, understand the motive of the theft. Are you ready for an adventure full of twists and turns? 

Cultural Focus :

The 2024 Summer Olympics will be celebrated from July 26th to August 11th, 2024 in Paris, France. The Olympic Games (OG) are sometimes referred to as The Modern Olympic Games due to their continuation of the traditional Olympic Games held in ancient Greece. The Olympics are major international sporting events which take place every four years and bring together thousands of athletes to participate in both summer and winter sports and competitions. 

Originally held in the religious center of Olympia in ancient Greece from the 8th century BCE to the 4th century, the Games were reimagined by French Baron Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 when he founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Since then, the IOC has become the governing organization of the Olympic movement whose structure and decisions are defined by the Olympic Charter.

The Olympic flame is an iconic symbol of the Olympic Games, dating back to ancient Greece. The modern idea of ​​the Olympic flame was introduced during the 1936 Berlin Games, where a torch was lit in Olympia, Greece, and carried to the Games site in Berlin, symbolizing the spirit of peace and unity between the participating nations… Unfortunately, this symbolic act unfolded under the oppressive regime of Adolf Hitler in Germany, serving as a stark reminder of the manipulation of such noble ideals for political purposes and casting a somber shadow on the intended message of harmony.

Since then, the tradition of lighting the Olympic flame in Olympia and transporting it through various countries before arriving at the Games venue has become an iconic ceremony of the Olympics.

Story of the Week: 

In a small village in Val d’Aosta, a passionate musicologist discovers an old spell book claiming to reveal the secrets of a legendary and unique Stradivarius violin crafted a long time ago. According to surviving legends, it had the most harmonious sound in the world. And here, somehow, is the instrument that was lost for centuries… Immersed in reading the work, the musicologist suddenly comes across the annotations of a luthier detailing the elements necessary for the creation of the instrument. Our musicologist’s decision is made: She calls on young adventurers to set out with her in search of the different pieces to revive the legendary Stradivarius of Val d’Aosta!

Cultural Focus: 

The Aosta Valley, commonly known as Val d’Aosta, is an autonomous Italian region with special status located in the northwest of the country which also exercises the privileges of a province of Italy. It takes its name from its capital, Aosta. Though it was an exclusively French-speaking region during the 16th century, Italian was also adopted as an official language when Val d’Aosta achieved autonomy in 1948. Valdôtan, an officially recognized regional Franco-Provençal dialect, is widely spoken there. Val d’Aosta is a member of the International Association of French-speaking Regions (AIRF) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie.

Story of the week: 

Stuck on Earth following the forced landing of their flying saucer, a band of aliens improvise a refuge in the attic of a house on the Acadian Peninsula of Canada. They make every effort to remain hidden as they search for a way to return to their planet, Zygma-B. Our interstellar visitors share their secret with a group of young earthlings who lend their ingenuity to assist them in their perilous mission…

Cultural Focus : 

Les Zinzins de l’espace (English: Space Goofs) is a French animated television series consisting of 104 13-minute episodes created by Jean-Yves Raimbaud and Philippe Traversat. It was launched in Quebec on September 13, 1997 on Télétoon under the title Le Zinzin de l’espace.

The Acadian Peninsula is located in the northeastern tip of New Brunswick, Canada. It is bordered to the north by Chaleur Bay and to the east by the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The Acadian Peninsula is named for its largely Acadian population, descendants of the first French settlers in Acadia during the era of New France. Some Acadians also descend from the region’s aboriginal peoples. The Acadian Peninsula is renowned for its coastal villages, vibrant musical traditions and festivals celebrating Acadian heritage.

Story of the Week: 

Phileas Fogg, a London gentleman, boldly wagers half his fortune that he can circumnavigate the world in 80 days. Accompanied by his devoted French servant, Passepartout, Fogg undertakes an epic journey filled with challenges, obstacles and unexpected encounters… not the least of which is Inspector Fix, hot on their tail, who suspects the pair of a crime. Across the world, the duo tries to meet the deadline with the help of fearless young adventurers. Will they achieve their goal?

Cultural Focus: 

Around the World in Eighty Days celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2023 as one of Jules Verne’s most emblematic works. The French writer, born in 1828, is a pioneer of science fiction and literary adventure of the 19th century. His imagination and visionary flair have captivated readers around the world. The novel, published in 1873, is an exhilarating adventure that follows Phileas Fogg in his daring attempt to travel around the world in record time to win a bet.