Cultural Clash Erupts between Seine’s Booksellers and Olympics

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As Paris gears up to host the Olympic Games, the renowned bouquinistes, the Seine’s Riverside Booksellers who form Europe’s largest open-air book market, vow not to budge from the banks of the Seine. In an unprecedented clash between cultural heritage and security protocols, the riverside booksellers have expressed vehement refusal to temporarily relocate, thus challenging the police request for an unrestricted perimeter.

The saga unfolded following a letter issued by Parisian law enforcement, branding the removal of the iconic riverside book-boxes as “essential.” These containers, attached to the river’s stone walls, house an eclectic assortment of second-hand books. According to authorities, the initiative is aimed at establishing a secure zone where access and mobility can be regulated. This preventative measure is to safeguard against potential acts of terrorism during the Games’ opening ceremony, scheduled for July 26, 2024, a first-of-its-kind event to take place outside a traditional stadium.

However, the bouquinistes, nearly 200 in number, are not satisfied. Jerome Callais, head of the Paris Booksellers’ Cultural Association, which represents the majority of these vendors, firmly stated their collective stance. “We have no intention of moving,” he asserted.

Callais expressed indignation at the authorities’ claim that their presence would obscure the view during the ceremony. “We’re a major symbol of Paris. We’ve been here for 450 years!” he said. “To want to erase us from the landscape at a time when the celebration of these Games should be a celebration of Paris seems a bit mad.”

Subsequently, Paris City Hall acknowledged the booksellers’ significant contribution to the Seine’s cultural identity, guaranteeing them the city’s support. The officials projected that 570 boxes, nearly 59 percent of the total, would need to be dismantled. However, the city committed to covering the expenses for the disassembly, reinstallation and any necessary repairs. City Hall framed this procedure as a “renovation” that would boost the booksellers’ bid to join UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage list. However, Callais countered, asserting that some of the boxes were “too fragile” to withstand relocation, as he estimated a whopping €1.5 million ($1.66 million) to fully refurbish them. As the saga unfolds, the booksellers’ firm position symbolizes the timeless clash between heritage preservation and progress.

With AFP.