Everything is in Concord(e) at last with the Art de Vivre à la Française!
This Paralympic Games opening ceremony was a true distillation of the Art de Vivre à la Française.
First, there was the choice of a setting rich in meaning: Place de la Concorde, in the heart of Paris, a powerful symbol of the journey from discord to harmony, with the strength of the athletes’ exploits to get into the battle, as Tony Estanguet emphasized in his speech.
Within this space, a multifaceted narrative came to life through visual arts (live performance, dance), words (testimonials, lyrics), and the movement of bodies (sensuality, emotion), all aimed at gently yet clearly addressing how we view difference. All different, all unique, but all united in singing, dancing, and feeling, all together. We became one body. This was also reflected in the choice to showcase all five types of disabilities during the lighting of the flame.
To see ourselves clearly, to hide nothing and instead to place our differences at the center, is a defining trait of our art of living. Just like Lucky Love removing his jacket, or that stunning scene where crutches become oars: bold, symbolic gestures that strike and resonate.
A palpable, contagious joy filled the air, a joy that touched both the senses and the mind. And it carried a message: love for others, painted onstage by dancers in the penultimate tableau, and embodied in the welcoming dance performed by the volunteers.
In France, in our art of living, we strive to create beauty, and what could be more magical than that multicolored obelisk, the circular screens, the culturally rich attire of the athletes, the Place de la Concorde transformed into a stadium, the costumes…
This ceremony, just like the initial Olympic one, perfectly illustrated the Art de Vivre à la Française. Our way of living elevates and enhances, but always with purpose and that’s exactly what this ceremony achieved. It tackled a vital social issue and transformed Place de la Concorde, a revolutionary space (so very French!) into a catalyst for changing how we perceive disability.
And what if we made this beautiful art de vivre part of our everyday lives not just during opening ceremonies? In our brands, in our companies?
We’re ready, without a doubt.