Hello there. Just to give you a head’s up, today’s post is also on the current political situation in France regarding the rise of the extreme right Front National party in the municipal elections that will have their final round of voting this Sunday. I realize that this is not everyone’s cup of tea, so feel free to come back next week (although I am not planning a political post for Friday but who knows). This blog is about all of the things that are of meaning to me and this subject most certainly qualifies. I was incredibly moved by the courageous and heartfelt response by my friend Silke, who is German, to my previous post. I think that it is important to share what she has to say and with her permission have reprinted it below:
“Dear Heather, I am so busy right now I hardly find the time to write a sentence on your blog!
And yes, me too I am in rage, I am sad, speechless and badly disappointed of my dear French neighbours!
Especially as I am German and EVERYBODY knows the German History and the History of the Second World War. And therefore everybody SHOULD really know certain relations of the FN contents and the German National Socialism Party during the Second World War!
This is not “just” politics this is about about avoiding a human catastrophy. And trust me, this is not just another Hollywood Production, this is real life. And the latter is sometimes not funny in France for people who think different.
As a German it was a weird feeling to have extreme right wing advertising in the mailbox on a daily basis when we were in Arles!
Also, La Provence is not only “belle” it was also one of the centers of “La Résistance” (against German atrocities) during the Second World War who’s leader was Jean Moulin.
The beautiful “Alpilles” that we were so happy so see on this blog are crossed by a road called “Route de la Liberté” because Jean Moulin took a shelter there for one night. Every third beach on the Côte Azur is called: “Plage du Débarquemet”! On those beaches landed the Allies to free Europe from the horrors of the National Socialism.
Yes, in the South of France they are proud of their Résistance and for good reasons. But that does not stop them to vote for a party that is Anti-Semitic, Racist and Homophobic! France has a lot of problems but they won’t get solved with the FN.
Of course one cannot completely compare the time of the German National Socialism with the FN Party in France. But there are obvious tendencies and similarites in their “values”. And their gains of power with a program that is based on Anti-Semitism and Racism is already a political catastrophy.
And the politics of Racism concerns us all wether live in America, Europe, Australia etc, whether we are interested in politics or not, we should be interested in Humanity!
To say something positive finally, the responsables of the Avignon Festival will resist and cancel the whole Festival under a FN Government!”
Personally, I don’t feel that Silke is exaggerating. It was only while in the midst of preparing these photos that I noticed the swastika on the right hand side of the image above.
And so while I see everyday…
…that there is beauty great and small…
…and a living scale of time here in Provence…
…there are also barriers to come up against and – hopefully – breathe through.
There is the landscape that the tourists see…
…graced with goodness…
…and a splendid solidity…
…but there are also the contrasts of the human kind, stark and striking…
…from a history not always seen straight on but peeked at sideways or dismissed with a nod.
From the outside in, we don’t always know all…
…and there are many who turn a blind eye to the challenges in front of them…
…just as they can walk by our living monuments without seeing them anymore.
These contrasts are woven together in a pattern so complex that it can be tough to unravel and they scratch up against each other, side by side by side. At least that is how I feel after having lived in the South of France for nearly ten years. I agree with Silke. This is not about politics, it is about Humanity. In our own way, we each make a difference in shaping the future. Eyes open, hearts wide.
Thank you for reading and for your respectful consideration of all that is presented here…
Thank you for this post! It is, indeed, shocking and most alarming to see how things are progressing in many parts of the world these days. Many ordinary people are deeply disappointed in their rulers and some of us are unfortunately uninformed enough to be drawn to populist or extremist groups forgetting all about what it means to be a human. In my view, mankind has been going so badly to the wrong direction for such a long time now raising greed and selfishness as the highest values that I dread we may have to face a major catastrophe of some sort to turn the tide one day. I hope I am wrong as we can witness social awareness growing every day. The rulers will have to bend and the rules will have to be changed towards less inequality when enough of us demand a fairer world. At the moment, however, I feel the signs of history repeating itself are terrifying. Just look at our eastern neighbour.
Beautifully written………….Perhaps pass out SILKEs words in mailboxes!!I had no idea…………..
Great post with very wise words to share
Thank you Heather and Silke
I feel the world is closing freedom's doors with hatred pushing those doors shut. With such a violent horror marked on its history, I have a difficult time grasping anyone in Europe would chose to join a party that embraces prejudice. One can only love France so much before the reality of the FN sinks in, and pushes the love away.
Such a smart, powerful post Heather. Made even more so with your photos. Silke's comment is very thoughtful and well said, too, and I'm so glad you shared it. I think the most important question that each of us can ask is what can we do in the way we live our lives every day – both in the big statements and in the smaller actions – that can help root out this kind of hate and ignorance that seems to be able take hold in every corner of the world, no matter what the history.
Thanks for a thought-provoking post. XOXO
This is deeply saddening. If we ignore the lessons of history, it repeats itself as was more recently seen in Yugoslavia. Some members of the human race are hell bent on destroying it. Ignorance, fear, selfishness, greed and apathy make a destructive cocktail. The power of one, be it positive or negative, is mammoth when it is multiplied by millions.
The contrast between your beautiful images of Arles and its current political undertones is stark.
Thank you Heather and Silke for this post. It needs to be said and spread. xxx
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'barriers to come up against and – hopefully – breathe through.'
Tremendous wisdom, Heather. Feel ill-educated to say much more but that rang true like a clarion bell.
Thanks for sharing this. Humanity is far more important than politics. Silke's thoughts and words ring true.
Beautiful photos & such a stressful time, thanks for sharing the political realities right now and showing how history is still present — around us every day, especially in Europe. This is strangely apropos because I just went to a screening two nights ago on a WWII film set in Hungary. I'd like to share on FB & tweet. Your photos are indeed so poetic! I am going to bookmark so glad I found you again!
Thank you for reporting on this. I have forwarded it to my husband, who is always on top of the news and able to read between the lines of how things are reported in our press here. Yes, Silke's comment bears reading and repeating as does this post, which I will share in every way I can.
Although the subject is hard truth, your words and photos are poetic.