The man does not perspire. I discovered that on 12 September, on the island of Saint Martin, a French territory in the Caribbean that had been devastated a few days earlier by Hurricane Irma. Uprooted trees, roofs ripped from houses, streets blocked by mountains of debris: for three hours Emmanuel Macron, president of France, has been walking through what remains of the village of Grand Case in the sweltering, clammy heat amid the strong odour of burst sewage pipes – or in other words, of shit. Everyone accompanying him, including the author of these lines, is dripping with sweat, literally soaked, with large circles under their arms. Not him. Although he hasn’t had a second to change or freshen up, his white shirt with elegantly rolled-up sleeves is impeccable. And so it will remain until late in the night, when the rest of us are exhausted, haggard and reeking, and he’s still as fresh as a daisy, always ready to shake new hands. Every interaction with Macron follows … [Read more...] about Orbiting Jupiter: my week with Emmanuel Macron
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Resignation of French minister Macron fuels presidential bid rumours
Emmanuel Macron, France’s rebellious economy minister, has quit the government, increasing speculation that he will launch his own presidential bid in an attempt to capitalise on French distrust of the political class. François Hollande’s office confirmed that Macron had resigned as economy minister and that the minister of finance, Michel Sapin, would take over what is one of the government’s most important jobs. Macron, who has left little doubt regarding his presidential ambitions, has not yet launched a campaign for next year’s presidential race. His departure puts an end to two years of government tension stoked by his outspoken criticism of the president and one-time mentor, Hollande. It opens up the possibility that the 38-year-old could launch an outsider bid to lead France, playing on what he sees as France’s disillusionment towards conventional politicians and political parties. The philosophy postgraduate and former Rothschild banker is a … [Read more...] about Resignation of French minister Macron fuels presidential bid rumours
American Gothic: a state visit to Britain for the first couple
American Gothic – the long-faced couple standing sentry before their wooden house in apron and overalls, pitchfork in hand – is the most famous painting in American art. It is instantly recognisable to millions of people from Oregon to Osaka who hardly know its name, still less that of the painter. In its comparatively short life (it was made in 1930), Grant Wood’s masterpiece has become one of those rare paintings that are constantly quoted in spoofs, advertisements, movies and cartoons, so familiar they can be readily invoked in a quick sketch or even just by one detail, such as the arched window. Even if we do not know its title, American Gothic is by now as proverbial as the Mona Lisa, The Starry Night and The Scream, a point not lost on parodists who have Photoshopped Van Gogh’s stars into the Iowan skies above that pointed roof, introduced Leonardo’s Lisa into the family romance and even married Grant Wood with Edvard Munch. A Gothic Scream flipbook … [Read more...] about American Gothic: a state visit to Britain for the first couple