Fabian Rodriguez: France as Text 2019

Paris is a well known city throughout the world. I was excited to come to one of the most visited cities in the world, however, I was a little worried to interact with a society whose language and culture is different from mine. In a city that is more than 2000 years old it is very difficult to pick a place as my favorite. Between the Eiffel Tower and it’s revolutionary ambitions; the arc of triumph and its glorification of Napoleon and his soldiers; the Louvre and it’s unique pieces of artwork that cemented history; and the Sainte-Chapelle and it’s political reasons for construction; I would definitely have to pick Sainte-Chapelle. As I walked into the servant’s part of the Chapelle I was not that impressed since it looked like every other gothic Chapelle I have seen. However, as soon as I walked into the main part of the Chapelle, where the crown of thorns was displayed, I was astonished by its beauty. I was even more surprised to learn that the entire story of the Bible was implanted into the stained glass. The high ceilings made me feel like a fly and the unique gothic structures intrigued me very much. I felt privileged to see how many people come to this beautiful building and just see it like that, a beautiful building, without knowing the reason it was built and the many stories it tells.

Just a few hours to the south of Paris, the city of Lyon can be found. The city is the home of over two million people and it is the third largest urban area in France. Over 2000 years ago, Lyon was the capital of the Roman Empire in Gaul.

The Izieu Maison was founded by Sabine Zlatin and Miron Zlatin as a way to hid and protect “Jewish” children from the Nazis in World War 2. The home is found in what was considered the Free Zone before November 1942. Therefore, this was thought of by “Jewish” parents as a safe place to send their kids during the war.

Thomas Dry Howie

Photo credits to Alex Gutierrez

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