The Scene spent the day in Marseille with rapper Papet Jali of Massilia Sound System. Do you have a favorite hangout in France's second city? What do you think of Massilia's music? Send us your suggestions and ideas and we'll post your comments here.
From: Joel Bomane, Marseille Posted: 27 December 2006 Comment: Massilia Sound System was born in the Southern French city of MARSEILLE...in a time of Crisis about twenty years ago...
(Cf. the rise of the "Front National": Party of the rightwing French politician Jean Marie Le Pen).
While the country and our city were torn and divided... Tatou a "band member" founded "MSS" Massilia Sound System.
Their philosphy: "Reggae is about Unity, Peace and Love."
Massilia Sound System reflects Marseille Ethnic mix, and our spirit of friendship and tolerance* (against old-style republican assimilation method) ...
People from many cultures have lived Together here for centuries... People as far as Tunisia, Senegal, and Guinea.
What fuels Marseille's people and Massilia Sound System... is our common love for our city, our culture, our language... and of course...our world renowned Soccer Team "L'Olympic de Marseille" (60000 + fans!)...
This is the secret of our ever increasing Energy, and Stamina...
Marseille and Massilia Sound System are not about promoting Uniformity but Unity through our Diversity. We "les marseillais" believe that each one of us is the needed piece that makes our "puzzle" a whole...
*tolerance: against 'European model of pluralism and tolerance'... and against...French 'assimilation' model (in "crisis" at the moment...)
From: Mary, Brighton, England Posted: 22 December 2006 Comment: Marseille is a great city - sure, it has its problems and it IS dirty like they say, but it's a welcome breath of fresh air after tourist-infested Provence. That said, if you fancy a day trip frmo the city, Uzes is a great alternative to Aix en Provence - it's smaller, sweeter and less stuffy. But watch out for the pigeons in the main square if you fancy eating there...!
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