In France they have the beautiful tradition of, in addition to the flag and the anthem, symbolizing the essence of the homeland in a woman who could be all French people. They call her Marianne, and she embodies the values of liberty, equality and fraternity that have inspired the people since the Revolution of 1789. Even today, with that grandeur The official Elysée website describes Marianne as an allegory of “the beauty and vitality of the eternal Republic”. Over the course of two centuries, artists of all ranks and tastes have taken up the challenge of recreating the idea of Marianne to sculpt her on the busts that preside over town halls and to stamp her effigy on postage stamps. But since 1972, to make her more human, mayors from all over the country and the president himself have chosen real, living women with blood in their veins as models, and they are constantly changing them so that they embody the spirit of the times. Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot and Laetitia Casta, beautiful, carnal and free women, have been some of the most famous and celebrated. The last one, chosen by Emmanuel Macron in 2017, however, neither feels nor suffers. It is an idealization, beautiful, yes, but without soul, painted by an urban artist on a street mural. Macron, who was criticized for that, has today the opportunity to get even and make history by changing Marianne without belittling others.
Although I am not French or anything like that, I dare to propose the perfect candidate. Gisèle Pélicot, the woman who was systematically drugged, raped and offered by her husband to 50 other men to abuse her for 10 years. She could have taken refuge in anonymity and the love of her children to survive the barbarity, but she wanted to face the trial with a gentle face and body so that, for once, and hopefully for all, those who are ashamed are the executioners and not the victims. What a woman, Gisèle. I can’t stop looking at her. A 72-year-old woman, with the scratches of time and suffering on her skin, but exquisitely dressed, coiffed and made up to present herself to the world while her cowardly rapists cover their faces. Gisèle doesn’t even need a Phrygian cap to be a sudden and lifelong Marianne. You can’t be more beautiful, braver or more dignified.
#Gisèle #Pélicot #Marianne