Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for this book which tells the story of our city. In 556 pages, the author recounts the history of his city, the Niçois, and his vibrant spirit while evoking Nissa.
In this hefty tome, we discover the characters, the leaders of life in this city nestled between the sea and the mountains. The Greeks, the Romans, the Counts of Provence, the dedication of 1388, the House of Savoy, the rivalries first with Provence, then with France.
Are the Niçois French or Italian? This question is irrelevant, as Italy until 1861 was merely a geographical fiction, according to Metternich. Therefore, the Niçois cannot be Italians. The debate on the plebiscite settles the question. Then there is the country, the landscape, nature, men and women.
The author elaborates on the lives of the people, describing the division of this society into several classes of nobles, merchants, fishermen, and farmers. The book is very lively, without any dull parts. By recalling his own memories, those of his family, and his origins, he transports us to this city of winter and then summer visitors. He does not forget the customs, festivals, the cuisine, where he sometimes shares recipes borrowed from his grandmother. He speaks Niçois and introduces us to its phonetics, including where to place the tonic accent. Nice, Provence, Piedmont, Liguria, all origins that history has intertwined.
“Nice the Unexpected” is ultimately a memoir of a man, a former high-level athlete who turned to politics. The main merit of this work: Christian Estrosi managed not to succumb to partisan clichés, giving credit where it’s due when he talks about the beginnings of his political career and the rivalry between the right and the communist left of the Barels and Caressa.
The author shares his Nice, which is essentially a declaration of his love for his city. This book is at once historical, testimonial, reminiscent, and a love story between a man and a woman: Nikaïa.
Thierry Jan
