In 1971 I bought a budget LP, Big War Movie Themes. I was into big band music and I liked Geoff Love, especially under his other name of Manuel and the Music of the Moutains. It was on the War Movie Themes LP I discovered the soundtrack for "Is Paris Burning?", and around that time I also saw the film. The music remains a wistful, melodic defiance of the brutality that tries to crush the human spirit. Today I listened to the soundtrack again, on Youtube, accompanied by black and white film of the German occupation of Paris.Two years of French Studies at Glasgow University opened up French literature, politics, history and art provided deeper insight into the pivotal role of French culture in the formation of a European mind.
The cultural and historic importance of Paris as symbolic of European intellectual and political achievement, and of the European ideal itself is beyond serious dispute. The choice of Paris for a visitation of malignant violence and merciless malice was made by those who understand with chilling menace the political leverage, cultural foundations and the anatomy and mechanics of terror. The deluge of social media messages, images, exchanges and condolences confirms both the reality and impact of the atrocity itself. They also confirm the recognition that something deep in the roots of what makes us human revolts at the perverse rationality that argues that murder is good, that celebrates slaughter, and while killing all remorse in themselves, believe they are chosen and blessed agents of a radicalised God whose will they do.
Against such fatalistic ideology we now have architecture lit up with the tricolour, the Eiffel Tower as symbol of defiance and hope, flowers, candles, written messages, vigils and many other simple ways of saying no to violence, defying the terror, facing the fear, clinging to hope, holding on to community.
While thinking these thoughts I remembered reading some words of the Canadian astrophysicist Rebecca Elson, a remarkable human being, brilliant mind, sensitive writer and courageous woman who died of cancer aged 39. Her expertise was in the nature of dark matter, globular clusters, the birth of stars and other such mysteries and wonders of this vast at times pitiless universe. During one of her times of remission from her illness she visited Paris, and became unwell again. And she wrote this passage in her journal, while leaving Paris by train.
I end this piece here by quoting words of hope, realism and the genuine humility of someone who tried to live her life with wonder, facing her fears, and cherishing the utter miracle that is an individual life set abroad against the vast mysterious ocean of incalculable possibility. She writes lovingly of this great city, itself a metaphor for the many causes of gratitude in her life; and she writes lovingly of herself:
So much to look forward to, so many possibilities, places, people. The thing is to accept my life is an adventure, and any adventure has difficulties. But really its more fear than physical, With the right strategy, the right environment, why can't I keep my body in balance with itself. No reason. Be gentle, be attentive, be understanding. Make life easy for yourself.
There is a kind of joy of movement, a moment almost like flying inside yourself, soaring with the sun, and the music, and the train moving out of Paris, leaving behind something so good, so solid to return to. I feel deeply capable of leaving you deeply free. A very beautiful moment on the train leaving Paris, of that energy which propels you through life. Places with fresh air, and sunshine, and the sea, and spring on its way.
She hangs on to the essential insight, that human life is miracle indeed, and miracle enough to nourish and nurture hope. And that insight was quickened in her again by her visit to Paris.
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