Local attachment

The question of attachment to place arouses all kinds of reactions, but few can find the right words or attitude to deal with these emotions. Already, the more liberal-minded refuse to do so, preferring to call themselves citizens of the world who feel little connection with where they live. A posture that seems more open, but which denies even the notion of attachment. As a result, this approach has led to the destruction of places, trees and the like to make way for the new, alienating many people. Not to mention that the nomadic spirit, in a world where travel has polluting repercussions, can be questioned at its core.

Conversely, the more conservative like to talk about roots, about being anchored in one's locality. Except that from this vision emanates a rejection of anything that doesn't originate in one's milieu. It comes with a hatred for those "birds" that perch on the branches of the national tree, seen as intruders. The Nazi regime regularly used this image. Some suggested more inclusive analogies, such as rivers or streams moving and mixing.

What if we used the simple verb "to love" to refer to these places of early childhood or adulthood? According to philosopher Joëlle Zask, this would work very well, and could incorporate the whole idea of true wonder. In other words, the fascination and curiosity for the living species of an environment, or for the memories and stories of a building that has left its mark on us.

Running time: 17min50

Photo: diego_cervo / DepositPhotos