Neus FloresRuby Boukabou is an Australian #author, #journalist and tap dancer (currently spending the Olympic summer in the beautiful city of lights) who has recently published The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris.
We had the great honour of interviewing her for our Washington Morning cultural section led by Neus Flores.
As a foreigner in Paris (France), how excited are you about experiencing the olympic games in the city?
Yes I’m interested in seeing how it unfolds and experiences the buzz in the #capital and the beautification of Paris’ #iconic spaces. I saw the opening ceremony with Paris-based American friends by the canal Saint Martin. It was pelting down with rain, so this was a great #choice, as there was a nice local #vibe. It was fun to share the experience with friends and strangers, all proud of #Paris.
I’ve been in and out of this city for so many years now that I’m in a privileged position of being considered a local too, so like many other Parisians, I will be spending some time outside of the capital in the south of France, by the #beach, while catching bits-and-pieces on the screen like the rest of the world, then coming back to experience some of the #festivities before the closing ceremony.
Are you accredited as a professional reporter for the games?
Not officially, as I work more on the #cultural and #travel side of journalism rather than #sports, but I have been giving #tips to tourists on where to go and what to do outside of the #games. I love helping visitors to avoid the tourist traps and get the best out of living like a local in Paris.
For example, I took a group of international tap dancers in town for #dinner last week to the Grand Fantasy, a restaurant on a barge on the Canal de l’Ourcq. They loved it, as it was very #relaxed, on the water, with friendly staff, #affordable and tasty food and drinks, and with no other tourists around!
What other activities can you do in Paris during the Olympic days?
- Visit some #galleries and #museums — many have timely themed exhibitions: The Musée Carnavalet (history of Paris) transports visitors in to the 1924 Paris Olympics; Palais Galleria explores ‘Fashion in Motion’; the Palais de la Porte Dorée has an #exhibition on the history of the Olympics (‘Olympisme: a History of the World), from Athens 1896 until Paris 2024. Others, you can find in my book The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris.
- Walking #tours are a great way to admire Paris’ incredible #architecture and I have several in my #books The Art Lover’s Guide to Paris and The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris and online with various themes such as a backstreet Belleville street art tour, an artists-themed tour of Montmartre, and a theatrical-themed one where you visit the magnificent 1875 Opera Garnier, the charming square by theatre Edouard VII and finish at the Ritz…
Stroll down the Canal Saint Martin to la Villette for a picnic, or visit the elegant Parc Monceau.
Have lunch on the rooftop of the Institute du Monde Arabe and check out then walk through the Jardin des Plantes for mint tea and baklava pastries in the #courtyard of the Grand Mosque. - Enjoy the art and architecture of the Saint-Sulpice church in the 6th, then explore the fancy Luxembourg Gardens and the mighty Pantheon, where you can then catch a #film at the Pantheon #cinema (check out Lost in Translations events that subtitle French films into English, and included #discussions with the #filmmakers and social events before and after the films). Have a drink in the Catherine Deneuve’s #tearoom at the Pantheon Cinema, too.
- See a live band (check www.lylo.fr for the listings).
What is your favorite sport?
To watch, soccer and swimming. To do, running and swimming. Also tap dance, if you want to consider it a sport too!
Are you a fan of any athlete in particular?
Back in 2000 when we had the Olympics in Sydney, Cathy Freeman stole the hearts of the whole country. I recently saw a #documentary on her at the Australian Embassy in Paris by the Sydney-based French filmmaker Laurence Billiet in collaboration with Stephen Page and Bangarra Dance Theatre, and it just made me more admirative than ever. I once interviewed Ian Thorpe who was amazing in the water. I’m looking forward to discovering today’s #athletes during Paris 2024. I enjoyed watching Australian Kyle Chalmers win silver in the Men’s 100m freestyle and Léon Marchand grab the gold.
There will be 460 Australian athletes in the games, 256 women and 204 men. What is your opinion about this fact?
Great! My mother was particularly excited about the Matildas’ presence, the Australian women’s soccer team. And of course, the Aussie female swimmers are always up there!
Do you think that these games are a good way to improve intercultural understanding?
Potentially yes, and Juliette Armanet’s interpretation of Imagine at the opening ceremony in the middle of the river Seine was particularly moving. Of course a #game is certainly better than a #war. I do enjoy seeing the athletes congratulate each other (after sometimes literally falling on the ground) after all the physical and mental #pressure they have each gone through.
Will you go to the Los Angeles Olympic games in 2028?
Perhaps. It could be a great excuse for an overdue visit to my relatives in California and Washington.
Would you like Sydney to repeat hosting the olympic games again, like they did in the year 2000?
It’s hard to say as 2000 was just so sensational. The #mood, the sense of #togetherness, the buoyancy (and beauty) of the city, the spectacular large scale #events and the more spontaneous feeling, funky street parties… and of course Cathy’s #race and win that united all Australians and especially made indigenous Australians, particularly #women, so #proud. It seemed that half the population took up running the next day and you could feel how Cathy had inspired them — it was beautiful. Maybe in 2100?
Please let us know your next projects.
I’m doing some promotions for my books, The Art Lover’s Guide to Barcelona, The Art Lover’Guide to Paris and The Architecture Lover’s Guide to Paris, working on my next book (another Paris #guide), teaching and performing tap dance in Paris and online and preparing for a Paris #agenda series. A trip to Barcelona and Madrid is in stall, too!
More info about Ruby at www.rubytv.net or instagram @rubytv
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Author: Neus Flores
