Yesterday all the inhabitants of Merillac were invited by the Mayor and the council to the Town Hall for a New Year Greeting. It's a tradition here. The snow has prevented me from driving for the last week and is likely to do so for another week so I was unsure about attending.
In the end I decided to walk. I was offered a lift when I had walked half of the 2 kms. I refused as I was thoroughly enjoying the crisp air, the crunching snow and the white vistas. I was also noting animal footprints in the virgin snow.
I reached the Marie feeling fit and warm and very pleased that I had decided to attend.
There was a crowd as usual just inside the door. It reminded me of a 'breaking the ice' game on a team building course but this is no game. Everyone already knows everyone. They were all genuinely greeting each other with 'meilleur voeux', 'bon annee, bon sante'. This is accompanied with between one to six kisses on both cheeks.
The number of kisses depends on whether you are family or length of friendship.
eventually after three requests from the Mayor to take our seats we move to the tables which are laid with nibbles and glasses.
The mayor surrounded by his council delivers his annual report.This is listened to with attention by all. The children present are well behaved and sit silently.
Applause at the end is followed by eager chatter and the council now serve us kir (strong blackcurrant liquer and white wine) and dainty amuse bouche. The Mayor and his deputy walk round the room toasting everyone individually.
The whole event is an example of the social glue which binds the inhabitants of French communes.
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