It was in the Muses’ Salon of the Acropolis Palace that the Mayor of Nice and the President of the Metropolis delivered their speech. It’s customary. These greetings, the last of January, are intended for seniors.
The room is full. Easily more than 200 people. To assist Jean-Michel Galy, the deputy mayor in charge of seniors and the host for the afternoon, no fewer than four large screens are available. Around, but especially facing him, are wise guests seated in an orderly manner, primped for the occasion. There is a grandmotherly scent in the room, the same that accompanied Sunday afternoons during childhood.
Jean-Michel Galy plays his role. He invites singers and dancers for the occasion, applauded by an audience fully on board with the cause. And then the salon changes atmosphere. The deputy mayor heightens the excitement. The star guests Pradal and Estrosi are in the elevator. It’s an occasion for a touch of humor about each person’s responsibilities.
Classic Arrival, Political Speech
The two officials eventually enter the Muses’ Salon. The afternoon then shifts in dimension, and all eyes are on one man, Christian Estrosi. The “mayor of the heart,” according to Jean-Michel Galy.
A few handshakes for a few lucky ones, and Philippe Pradal takes the floor. A simple, yet earnest speech filled with well-chosen words. “Senior politics is a duty. We want to do it with joy, pleasure, ambition; that’s our intention.” A small touch of humor to conclude, and Christian Estrosi takes the floor. “Last year at this time, I did not imagine we would be sharing this tragedy.” The last episode of such magnitude, as he recalls, was the bombing of Nice in 1944.
A leap in time, and a link between these two eras, Fernande Bataille. The Nice native, 110 years old and vice-dean of France, experienced both tragedies. Made an example for the occasion, theatricalized, Christian Estrosi speaks through her, discussing torture, resistance, devotion: “If I had to do it all over again, I would. And I wish for only one thing, that France remains France.”
The end of the speech continues the tone. No grand comparisons, no rallying for a candidate, just the contentious issues, the ones close to the heart. The economy, addressing the pension problem and the widening gap between pensions and taxes. Patriotism with the love of the nation, identity, and the revocation of nationality for those who do not love France, “unlike you.”
The speeches concluded, the Marseillaise followed by Nissa la Bella marks the start of the king cake tasting. The most energetic seniors won’t wait. Sitting still is not for them, the Madison awaits them on the dance floor.
