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Honoring Rosa Parks

Thursday, December 12th, 2019

Honoring Rosa Parks

On December 13, 2015, the Rosa Parks station on RER Line E opened for service.

Gare Rosa Parks at twilightGare Rosa Parks at twilight
© Discover Paris!

Since that time, numerous events and activities have been organized to honor Parks in Paris.

Most recently, the association Les Couleurs de Pont de Flandres partnered with the International Fashion Academy and local designers to host a fashion show entitled "Tapis Rouge en Hommage à Rosa Parks" (Red Carpet in Homage to Rosa Parks).  It took place on October 5, 2019 as part of Paris' Nuit blanche cultural festival.

Flier for Tapis Rouge en Hommage à Rosa Parks

Sixty (60) models of all ages participated in the show, including some with physical challenges.  The fashions they wore were created from recyclable materials.  Violin and kora music accentuated the atmosphere of the evening.  

This fashion show was the third of its kind organized by Les Couleurs de Pont de Flandres.  To see photos and read more (in French) about this event, click HERE.

In September/October 2017, the town hall of the 19th arrondissement (the district where the RER station is located) hosted an exhibition called "The Way of Rosa."  It consisted of photographs taken by Johana Fairfort before and after the inauguration of the station and displayed quotes by Parks, Angela Davis, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Way of Rosa_afficheAdvertisement for Rosa Parks photo exhibition

In December 2015, to complement the opening of the station, Les Couleurs de Pont de Flandre created a mural of street art composed entirely of wax fabrics at the angle of rue de Cambrai and rue de Karr in the 19th arrondissement. Myriam Maxo, AKA the Queen of Wax, was the artistic director of this endeavor, which was implemented with the help of numerous residents of the area.

Installation of Come and Wax !
Image courtesy of Les Couleurs de Pont de Flandre

Come and Wax ! - rue de Cambrai
Image courtesy of Les Couleurs de Pont de Flandre

To see additional images of the "Come and Wax" project, click HERE.

Another association, GFR, engaged four female and one male street artist to create a mural 493 meters long in Parks' honor.  This project was named "Rosa Parks fait le mur."

Rosa Parks fait le mur - information panel and
Black Lives Matter (right side of diptych) by Jonone Aone 2015

© Discover Paris!

Merci Rosa Parks - left half of diptych
Vinie 2015
© Discover Paris!

Babylon by Bus
Ernesto Novo 2015
© Discover Paris!

Mrs. Parks is well loved and respected in Paris!