I could not think of a more auspicious date to launch The CultureZohn website. Bastille Day, and France in general, has enormous importance in my life and in my work and I’m honored to contribute a tiny bit to the spirit of revolutionary independence it stands for.

From Sur le Pont d’Avignon in first grade to grand battements at the School of American Ballet in fourth to Jean Seberg in Breathless in college to the French Culture Services in NY, to Picasso at MoMA, to Costa Gavras in Hollywood, France, its people, its language, its customs and its culture have been a driving narrative to my life.

The thought of Donald Trump today in the reviewing stands on the Champs does not fit with this progressive narrative but I forgive Macron for his all-too-generous invitation as I am happy to see the very proud French people feeling more hopeful after the terrible events of the last few years.

Grab a glass of rose, toast La France, and then settle back and enjoy the many pearls of the CultureZohn.