Youth

 Lovers, 1925  Marc Chagall
From the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam

 All the exuberance of Youth here!

Last weekend, two grandsons, grown-up grandsons they would say, came to stay for the weekend with their joined-at-the-hip girlfriends. This is a happily-anticipated visit for me, one that is now established as a regular occurrence at Christmas Market time. They do lots without me, thank God, but I see lots of them too. This year, I was quietly amused to hear the boys talking about buying flats, house renovation, décor etc. It seems barely five minutes since they were little boys, often knocking hell out of each other. Now the two boys, plus the absent bruv who was busy taking out their Dad for a birthday treat that same weekend, all seem to be easy, great friends. Oh the magic of the passing years! AND the Lovely Foursome took me out and paid for a super meal. My cup runneth over!!

However, it did cause me to consider the presence of Youth in my flat, and indeed, in my life. From my happy upper slopes of ageing, to be a close spectator of youth is remarkably entertaining and nourishing. It confirms my own contentment somehow; to have young family members who are striding confidently into the future, with harmonious relationships, busy and fulfilling lives with successful, stable, professional

 A rather furtive shot of the beginning of one sequence
in December Dance.

occupations and interesting, fun-filled hobbies, interests and relationships. Nothing could be better to experience than the pleasure provided to the emotionally-involved family observer! It is the purest delight too; in no way demanding anything of me more than approval and enjoyment. Which I spontaneously and admiringly give while quietly acknowledging, with gratitude, this unexpected bonus of ageing.

 A joyful rabbit from an exhibition of Japanese
posters in the Stedelijk Museum.
Amsterdam. Rather thought this illustrated
the point of joyful youth with its

                     hopes and dreams.

On Wednesday afternoon I was lucky enough to attend a dress rehearsal of part of December Dance at the Concertgebouw. It transpired that the totally fabulous performance was created and performed by dance students from the Brugge Conservatoire. In a completely different setting, I was again a privileged witness to the bursting energy and creativity of Youth. The sheer exuberance, multi-talents, joy and energy were stunning to behold and fully deserved the standing audience ovation at the end. We left the theatre with light hearts and steps, savouring, in retrospect, the life-enhancing experience we had just had. I privately mused on my reaction to a Jan Fabre dance production at the same theatre two or three years ago when I was so bored I couldn’t wait to flee the scene of the crime.

I should mention that this international dance festival for a general audience takes place every year at the Concertgebouw in Bruges. It presents a balanced programme of established artists and young up-and-upcoming talent which is given the opportunity to display its creations on the December Dance Platform. In the margins of the festival, December Dance also presents readings, introductions and discussions.

 Lithograph by Jean Chaissang 1931
of Josephine Baker, an eternal symbol of
youthful exuberance.