Olympic Games: a superb start on the Seine
Jean-Claude Albert, Mudaison (Hérault)
We were, the press tells us, 2 billion people following the dazzling opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. Immense individual, collective and global emotion when, for the finale, Celine Dion performed theOde to love by Edith Piaf. Under the sparkling gaze of an Eiffel Tower adorned with a thousand necklaces of light, the flame balloon swirled, carried by multitudes of white and black notes. It was not raining on Paris; it was the clouds that shed tears. I will never forget such moments of grace, this night of magic, this universal homage from our artists, from our French culture to the talented Olympic and Paralympic athletes of the planet. (“Paris amazes the world under the flood”: the foreign press won over by the opening ceremonyon Lexpress.fr)
The power of the LGBT lobby
Alain Rey, Carpentras (Vaucluse)
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games was placed under the sign of the acceptance of differences. My difference is that I consider blasphemous the distressing performance of the drag queens parodying the Last Supper instituted by Christ. The LGBT lobby is definitely very powerful in our country. And those who are upset about it are not all fascists… (Olympic Games Opening Ceremony: “We live in a period where religious people are pulling out all the stops”on Lexpress.fr)
The two faces of Abbé Pierre
Philippe Jacob, Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin)
If God exists, Abbé Pierre will have had to answer to him when he joined him. There remains his work, titanic, exceptional, in the service of the most deprived, and it would seem that it was totally devoid of ulterior motives. The rest of us will try to continue to remember the fight of a life devoted entirely to fighting against precariousness, even if this noble goal will never erase the odious excesses that he allowed himself. (French Icon Abbé Pierre Accused of Sexual Assaulton Lexpress.fr)
Spelling: no to simplification
Robert Lacoste, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés (Val-de-Marne)
I am really taken aback by Franck Ramus’ article, which revives this old chestnut. Language is the very basis of culture and the formation of thought. With the logic of this article, the ambitions of a Jules Ferry could not have seen the light of day. Teaching an entire “illiterate” population to read and write. Yet they did it. The difficulty of mastering the language is more linked to unsuitable learning methods than to a supposed difficulty of the language itself. It is not by lowering the requirements in schools that we will elevate the soul and the level of culture of each person. France is a country where culture is important and developed. Let us support it, instead of constantly cracking its foundations. (Let’s simplify spelling to free up time for useful learning. L’Express of July 11.)
The France of the future? I want to believe it
Guylaine Remeur, Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes)
I am writing you this little note after reading with great interest your special issue after these legislative elections. May politicians follow the advice of your speakers: Benoît Payan, Enrico Letta, Gaspard Koenig, to name but a few. We are in immense chaos, I never thought I would experience this, but today, I want to remain proud to be French and want to believe in the men and women who will govern tomorrow. (Benoît Payan: “Let’s turn the page on the Fifth Republic, for a new Republic”L’Express of July 11.)
Erratum
An error has crept into our article concerning Jean-Pierre Raffarin’s memories of the Olympic Games. During the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, Michel Jazy was beaten in the 5,000 meters and not the 1,500 meters. (I have tears in my eyesL’Express of July 25).
L’Express at the heart of the Olympic Games
July 26, 2024 has now entered French history. That day, the opening ceremony of the Paris Games dazzled the world. For several months, and throughout the competition, the L’Express editorial team has been working to bring you a different experience of this historic event that only happens once a century. Reports from the Olympic House of Ukraine, investigations into doping, major interviews, behind the scenes, videos, podcasts… To see these Olympic Games in a way other than on television, visit our pages or Lexpress.fr. And it’s not over yet, because the Paralympic Games are coming soon. Once again, we will be there every day to make you experience this competition differently. Hoping to thrill you as our French athletes do so well.