In a puzzling goodwill gesture, the French government has crafted a distinctive mascot for next year's 400th anniversary of Quebec City -- a dairy cow with antlers.
The brainchild of a young French graphic designer, the hybrid animal is intended to invoke the famous dairy cattle of Normandy, homeland of Quebec's original settlers, and the wild caribou that roam the Quebec tundra.
It was only when a French delegation led by former prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin arrived in Quebec this week that their hosts pointed out that the antlers atop the cow belonged to a moose, not a caribou. Adjustments will be made so the mascot dubbed the Vachibou (Cowibou) is as anatomically correct as possible.[...]
Mr. Raffarin told a news conference in Quebec City that the Vachibou was intended as a playful wink at France's Quebec cousins. "Our imagination knows no limits," he said
Serge Allen, Quebec City's commissioner for the 400th anniversary celebrations, declined to offer a critique of the mascot, although he did point out that it is odd for a female cow to have a male moose's antlers.
One of the charms of the French is that, just when you think they are a dangerous enemy who deserve to be blasted to High Heaven, they find a brilliant way to make you feel silly you ever took such clueless buffoons so seriously.
1 comment:
I just took a look at the article and saw the image of the cowmoose. Very funny...but insulting. Perhaps Quebec should follow Rwanda's lead and say "au revoir" to the clowns.
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