The first issue is devoted to Alsace. What can you tell us?
Thomas Island: We will focus on five masters that we have followed for months. They have a lot in common to spread their passion to the world. So, Pierre and his wife, Michèle, are bakers in Chicago who export a small piece of Alsace to the United States with their extraordinary bread. They even sell tartes flambees and munster sauerkraut to Americans! We will meet Julien, one of the last bell founders of France; Christian, a very touchy carpenter who buys trees directly from his neighbor. There will also be jam connoisseur Christine Ferber who conquered Japan, followed by Cyril, the glassblower of the prestigious Lalique house.
What will your role be tonight?
As Carole Gaessler did on the Des Racines & des Ailes show in France 3, I present the intro and conclusion sets of the sequences. We will shoot them at the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, this prestigious place renovated by the best masters in many professions. It is also the organization that hosted the French football team in Qatar on the 19th of December World Cup return. The footage has traveled around the planet, so shooting there was iconic.
Why did you agree to embody this show?
I tried this kind of presentation in a documentary series. My Perfect Life and My Countryside Life (Editor’s note in September and November 2022) and broadcast on Saturday afternoons, 3rd great listening in France. And then I am fascinated by exhibiting the works of artisans. Far from my world but fascinating. These people have an “eternal France” side, just like the carpenter we’re going to explore tonight, he uses a 500-year-old glue because it’s the only glue that can be reworked.
Do you have any other projects?
I’ve just been offered the presentation of a special program called La Grande Dictée, which airs on France 3 on Sunday afternoons. After Gilles Lellouche, who participated in the exercise last year, we are looking for who will come and read this dictation… Also, I have already started negotiating for the school year to start in September. France Télévisions wants me to take up more space in France 3!
They shine France: Wednesday 22 February at 21:10 at France 3
THOMAS GAETNER INTERVIEW
Source: Programme Television
Joseph Fearn is an entertainment and television aficionado who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for what’s hot in the world of TV, Joseph keeps his readers informed about the latest trends and must-see shows.
