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The Regional Press as an Instrument for Sports Acculturation: A Case Study of Les Alpes Sportives in the Inter-war Years

2012; Routledge; Volume: 29; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/09523367.2012.690227

1743-9035

Natalia Bazoge, Michaël Attali, Yoan Grosset, Nicolas Delorme,

Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis

Abstract In France, the inter-war years were a time when the sports movement was truly in need of structure and the media wanted to play a part in the process. At that time, sports practice was fairly limited and making it an integral part of French daily life was an essential goal. With this in mind, the French media took part in the popularisation of sports practice where the rationale seemed more concerned with its emergence rather than its development. Regional case studies can be helpful in pinpointing how social perspectives were viewed by the media, provided that they focus on the territories that reflected the national frame of mind. This allows for plausible generalisation. The Rhône-Alps region, more precisely the Grenoble valley, was typical in this respect. An in-depth study of a regional weekly sports newspaper, 'Les Alpes Sportives' (8 November 1919 – 5 May 1928), demonstrates how editorial leverage was used to convince readers to turn to sport and recognise its cultural worth. Keywords: regionalismacculturationpropaganda; sports press Notes 1. Tétart and Villaret, Les voix du sport. La presse sportive régionale à la Belle Époque. 2. Charle, Le siècle de la presse, 1830–1939. 3. Forbes and Nelson, 'Popular culture in post-war France'. 4. Marcowitz, Nationale Identität und transnationale Einflüsse. 5. Bullock, Trombley, and Eadie, Harper Dictionary of Modern Thought. 6. Ory, 'Acculturation', 2. 7. Dyreson, 'Crafting Patriotism-Mediations on "Californication" and other trends', 307–11. 8. Eisenberg, 'Cultural Transfer as a Historical Process: Research Questions, Steps of Analysis, Methods', 99–111. 9. Lahire, 'The Individual and the Mixing of Genres: Cultural Dissonance and Self-distinction', 166–88. 10. Blanchard, Grenoble, étude de géographie urbaine. 11. Despite extensive research, circulations of the weekly could not be identified. 12. Alphonse Dondey was a rugby star with the first team of the 'Union Athlétique Grenobloise' (Grenoble Athletic Union), founded in 1909. Initially, the team participated in second-string championships and then moved to the French national league under the colours of the all-new 'Football Club de Grenoble', created in 1911. During Dondey's time as a member of the team, until the early 1920s, it had good results nationally. He also maintained a career with the military, being promoted from the rank of corporal to lieutenant. He was posted to Algiers in 1924, which interrupted his athletic career in Grenoble. See Boutin, Livre d'or du F.C. Grenoble Rugby 1911–1986, 63. 13. Editorial Desk, 'Voici le dernier numéro des Alpes Sportives' [Here is the last issue of the Alpes Sportives] in Les Alpes Sportives, 444, 6 May 1928, 1. 14. See Barral, Le département de l'Isère sous la Troisième République, 1870–1940. 15. Limited to a few inserts in 1920, advertising progressively takes up most of the fourth page of the paper. 16. Inaugurated in 1912 by Georges Biessy upon his arrival at the editorial office of the Petit Dauphinois, the sports column constantly improved under his direction, in particular when he was appointed General Secretary in 1924. Genoulaz, 'La montée du Front Populaire vue à travers le Petit Dauphinois (1934–1936)'. 17. Where daily papers are concerned, L'Humanité and Le Figaro sold for 20 centimes. A popular weekly, Le Petit Journal Illustré, in contrast, sold for 30 centimes per issue. 18. Charle, op.cit. 19. Ibid. 20. Katz, 'A Theory of Qualitative Methodology: The Social System of Analytic Fieldwork', 127–48. 21. Delporte, 'Au miroir des médias', 305–51. 22. This is a subtitle chosen by the paper as early as its first issue. 23. Gros, 'Le rugby à Lyon (1890–1964). Une approche sociale et historique d'un sport confidentiel', 56. 24. The 'Dauphiné' province of the 'Ancien Régime' corresponds to the following current departments: the 'Drôme', the 'Hautes-Alpes' and 'Isère'. The 'Savoie' territory refers to the 'Haute-Savoie' and the 'Savoie' departments. 25. 'Notre programme' [Our program] in Les Alpes Sportives, 1, 8 November 1919, 1. 26. Inserts appear regularly to ask sports leaders to send their contributions to the paper as early in the week as possible to allow for their publication the following Saturday. Among others: 'A nos correspondants – A nos lecteurs' [For our Correspondents – To our readers] in Les Alpes Sportives, 114, 6 January 1922, 1. 27. Frachet, 65 années d'athlétisme en Dauphiné-Savoie. 28. Boutin, op.cit. 29. Carol, Histoire de l'eugénisme en France. Les médecins et la procréation XIXe-XXe siècles. 30. Terret, Sport and Health in History. 31. Mermilliod, 'Tennis – Faites du tennis' [Tennis – Play tennis] in Les Alpes Sportives, 18, 6 March 1920, 1. 32. Huss, 'Pronatalism in the Interwar Period in France', 39–68. 33. 'Cross-country – Un sport qui se meurt' [Cross-country – A dying sport] in Les Alpes Sportives, 1, 8 November 1919, 3. 34. Kwick, 'Athlétisme – Hygiène sportive' [Athletics – Healthy Sports] in Les Alpes Sportives, 20, 20 March 1920, 2. 35. Swansea, 'Choses du rugby – Comment réprimer la brutalité' [Things about rugby – How to sanction brutality] in Les Alpes Sportives, 23, 10 April 1920, 2. 36. This article contrasts physical education, regarded as a 'decadence factor', to academic education, solely responsible for training a heroic French soul which allowed for victory in World War I. Cited by Hemm, 'Nos ennemis' [Our enemies] in Les Alpes Sportives, 25, 24 April 1920, 2. 37. Gori and Terret, Sport and Education in History. 38. Published between issue 4, 29 November 1919 and issue 10, 10 January 1920. 39. Arnaud, Les savoirs du corps. 40. The column first came out in issue 2, 15 November 1919 and disappeared during 1921. 41. Strauss, 'Education physique' [Physical education] in Les Alpes Sportives, 20, 20 March 1920, 1. 42. Saint-Martin, L'éducation physique à l'épreuve de la nation (1918–1939). 43. Bambois, 'Des terrains de jeux!' [Playing fields!] in Les Alpes Sportives, 19, 13 March 1920, 1. 44. Marmonier, 'Des stades pour honorer nos morts!!!' [Stadiums in honour of the fallen!!!] in Les Alpes Sportives, 24, 17 April 1920, 1. 45. Busquet, 'Le ski. Comment le pratiquer' [Skiing. How to practise it] in Les Alpes Sportives, 161, 2 December 1922, 2. 46. Papin, 'Pour la renaissance du hockey' [For the rebirth of hockey] in Les Alpes Sportives, 14, 7 February 1920, 2. 47. Marmonier, 'Cross-country-Un sport populaire' [Cross-country – A popular sport] in Les Alpes Sportives, 19, 13 March 1920, 2. 48. Roger, 'La rationalisation de l'entraînement sportif à l'épreuve des traditions, 1842–1942', 51–70. 49. 'Faites du sport' [Play Sport] in Les Alpes Sportives, 22, 3 April 1920, 1. 50. 'Les exercises et les sports qu'il faut pratiquer' [Exercise and sport that should be practised] in Les Alpes Sportives, 23, 10 April 1920, 1. 51. Carol, op.cit. 52. Attali et al., 'Paris vu de la Province: les Jeux olympiques de 1924 dans la presse régionale', 951–82. 53. Sarremejane, 'L'héritage de la méthode suédoise d'éducation physique en France: les conflits de méthode au sein de l'Ecole normale de gymnastique et d'escrime de Joinville au début du XXème siècle', 817–37. 54. Bouchet and Nier, 'Etude comparative de deux ordres sportifs locaux. Les clubs de rugby et de tennis de table dans l'agglomération grenobloise', 53–69. 55. The word propaganda is seen as a part of history, a concept that expresses the relationship that existed between the general public and the elite. See Almeida, 'Propagande, histoire d'un mot disgracié', Mots. Les langages du politique, 69, 2002, 137–48. 56. 'Volley-ball' in Les Alpes Sportives, 28, 15 May 1920, 2. 57. For example, 'Rugby-Les championnats des Alpes' [Rugby – Alps championships] in Les Alpes Sportives, 27, 8 May 1920, 2. 58. Douheret, 'Ce qu'un boxeur doit savoir-Les contres' [What a boxer should know – Counters] in Les Alpes Sportives, 14, 7 February 1920, 2. 59. Le Naja, 'Essais de tactique' [Working on tactics] in Les Alpes Sportives, 8, 27 December 1919, 1–2. 60. Jubette, 'J'ai compris le football' [I understand football] in Les Alpes Sportives, 18, 6 March 1920, 3. 61. 'Lettre de Chouquette' [Chouquette's letter] in Les Alpes Sportives, 66, 5 February 1921, 1. 62. Bohuon and Luciani, 'Biomedical Discourse on Women's Physical Education and Sports in France (1880–1922)', 1–21. 63. R.C., 'Les Sportives évoluent' [Female athletes evolve] in Les Alpes Sportives, 204, 22 November 1924, 1. 64. Marmonier, 'Les Sports et la Femme' [Sports and the Woman] in Les Alpes Sportives, 31, 5 June 1935, 4. 65. Marmonier, 'Les Sports féminins' [Women's Sports] in Les Alpes Sportives, 34, 26 June 1920, 3. 66. 'Sports féminins' [Women's Sports] in Les Alpes Sportives, 117, 28 January 1922, 3. 67. Almeida and Delporte, Histoire des médias en France de la Grande Guerre à nos jours, 66. 68. Chrétien, 'Perpignan (1 et 3) contre F.C. Grenoble (1 et 3) pour le championnat de France' [Perpignan (1 and 3) versus F.C. Grenoble (1 et 3) for the French Championship] in Les Alpes Sportives, 16, 21 February 1920, 1. 69. 'Le Rugby au FCG' [Rugby at the FCG], Les Alpes Sportives, 57, 4 December 1920, 1. 70. Front page photos in Les Alpes Sportives, 99, 24 September 1921. 71. 'Les Régates de l'Aviron Grenoblois' [Grenoble Rowing Regatta] in Les Alpes Sportives, 101, 8 October 1921, 1. 72. 'Grands Combats Franco-Suisses' [Great French-Swiss Battles] in Les Alpes Sportives, 113, 31 December 1921, 1. 73. 'Les fêtes du 14 juillet sur l'Isère' [July 14 festivities on the Isère River] in Les Alpes Sportives, 141, 14 July 1922, 1. 74. For example, the first rugby photos presented come from Sporting. Those that illustrate the Isère River festivities are extracts from La Gazette. 75. Martin, Médias et journalistes de la République, 165–6. 76. Les Alpes Sportives, 146, 19 August 1922. 77. Editorial Desk, 'Une transformation' [A transformation] in Les Alpes Sportives, 148, 2 September 1922, 1. 78. Denoyelle, Les usages de la photographie, 1919–1939. 79. 'Notre service photographique' [Our photography department], Les Alpes Sportives, 148, 2 September 1922, 2. 80. Almeida and Delporte, op. cit. 81. Among the numerous columns that relate anecdotes alongside sports events, the column entitled 'Tips from my landlord', whose place in the paper is never relinquished, is evidence of the interest in the editorial strategy set in place. 82. 'Natation – Les fervents de la natation! Rassemblement!' [Swimming – Swimming fans! Meeting!] in Les Alpes Sportives, 25, 24 April 1920, 2. 83. 'Natation – De la natation en général' [Swimming – Swimming in general] in Les Alpes Sportives, 31, 5 June 1920, 2. 84. 'Le Cross alpin des Jarrets d'Acier' [The Steel Thighs Alpine Cross-Country] in Les Alpes Sportives, 124, 18 March 1922, 3. 85. 'Dans les clubs' [In the clubs] in Les Alpes Sportives, 25, 24 April 1920, 4. 86. One part belongs to sports method for leaders or participants, which may explain the stands taken. Moreover, the number of subsequent unsigned articles gives authors a risk-free forum to express their opinions. 87. For example in 1920, the paper was involved in the demand for an athletics track. See Kwick, 'Une piste, SVP !' [A track, PLEASE!] in Les Alpes Sportives, 18, 6 March 1920, 3. 88. Callède, Les politiques sportives en France. Éléments de sociologie historique. 89. H.F., 'Fédération Alpine Dauphinoise' [Dauphiné Alpine Federation] in Les Alpes Sportives, 138, 24 June 1922, 1. 90. Marmonier, 'La Confédération est créée' [The Confederation is born] in Les Alpes Sportives, 123, 11 March 1922, 3. 91. The Editors, 'Tout, pour tous!' [Everything, for everybody] in Les Alpes Sportives, 154, 14 October 1922, 1. 92. The Grenoble Rowing Club, with its boats, occupied a shed on the banks of the Isère River. Bozonat, F, 'A l'Aviron Grenoblois – De l'entraînement des équipes de course Grenoble' [Rowing–Training racing teams] in Les Alpes Sportives, 21, 27 March 1920, 2. 93. Pens, 'Nos sportifs' [Our athletes] in Les Alpes Sportives, 155, 21 October 1922, 1. 94. 'Les sports d'hiver' [Winter Sports] in Les Alpes Sportives, 57, 4 December 1920, 1. 95. In December 1919, a series of front-page articles were devoted to the paper and its advisors. See for example: The skier, 'Sports d'hiver - L'équipement du futur skieur' [Winter sports – Equipment for the future skier] in Les Alpes Sportives, 6, 13 December 1919, 1. 96. For example, 'Au Mont Revard - Le programme sportif' [Mount Revard – Sports programme] in Les Alpes Sportives, 15, 14 February 1920, 2. 97. 'Une route d'Uriage à Allevard' [Tourism – The road from Uriage to Allevard] in Les Alpes Sportives, 24, 17 April 1920, 2. 98. Frachet, op.cit. 99. Boutin, op.cit., 44. 100. Garnier, 95 ans de rugby en rouge et noir. Histoires d'Ovalie et du Comité des Alpes, Encyclopédie du rugby Matheysin. 101. Bourdeau, Une mémoire alpine dauphinoise. 102. Falcoz, Analyse historique des politiques de construction des équipements sportifs dans l'agglomération grenobloise. 103. Falcoz, La construction des équipements sportifs de Grenoble. Histoire et politique. 104. Robène and Bodin, 'Le feuilleton aéronautique à la Belle Epoque', 47–62. 105. Henning, Body Cultures. 106. Ruth, Patterns of Culture. 107. Hansen, 'The Media and the Social Construction of the Environment', 443–58. 108. Katz, 'What Makes Crime News?' 47–75. 109. Holt, 'Aspects of the Social History of Sports in France (1870–1914)'. 110. Chenu, 'From the path to glory to the road of fame. Sociologie des couvertures de Paris Match, 1949–2005', 3–52.