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Moris DruonFrench writer, laureate of the Prix Goncourt
Date of Birth: 23.04.1918
Country:  France |
Content:
- Biography of Maurice Druon
- Talking about the Past
- Correspondent: Yes, and even before Adam and Eve, and even earlier...
Biography of Maurice Druon
Maurice Druon, a French writer, laureate of the Goncourt Prize, French Immortal and honorary legionnaire, author of the "Accursed Kings" chronicles and columnist for "Le Figaro", is finishing his memoirs. At 85 years old, it is not a bad time for such work. It is certain that his memoirs will be published in Russia, where the famous writer recently visited and where he plans to return to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg. Maurice Druon celebrates his birthday today. On the eve of this event, our correspondent was able to talk to the renowned writer.
Talking about the Past
Correspondent: Let's talk about the past. How do you remember the last century, as you experienced almost the entire period?
Maurice Druon: Well, first of all, you are exaggerating a little. I was born in 1918 and, of course, I don't remember what happened in the first 20 years of the previous century. I remember the time of my youth - the second third of the past century, the years of war and years of studying. I studied and tried not to waste time, so I didn't become a representative of the so-called "lost generation."
Correspondent: Do you feel nostalgic about those times, about missed opportunities?
Maurice Druon: Absolutely not, because I didn't waste time, I was always busy. And yes, I was young... But the perception of the pre-war time is different - it had different relationships between people, more trustful, warmer, and closer, if you will...
Correspondent: Dear sir, people have always been the same. Fashion changes, cultural and artistic trends change, lifestyles change, but people... people remain the same. We always idealize the past, precisely the past. And it always seems to us that people were happier then. "What passes will be missed," as a Russian poet said...
Maurice Druon: You are right, or rather, the poet is right. So, will we now nostalgize about the 1930s, then about the era of Napoleon, and even further?... And so on until your kings...
Correspondent: Yes, and even before Adam and Eve, and even earlier...
Maurice Druon: But you wrote about the kings... Are you a monarchist?Correspondent: I am a supporter of constitutional monarchy because it can fit very well into the global order. And it does fit, by the way. But there is also republican monarchy... and absolute monarchy...
Maurice Druon: Perhaps so... But there is always a supreme arbitrator, the father of the nation, if you will. I don't want to delve into historical moments today. You have a beautiful country, a great government. I met and spoke with your president in Moscow for three and a half hours. I met his wife and daughters who speak French. I even saw horses, a goat, and a beautiful Labrador. I saw the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, its golden dome over all of Moscow - it is the rebirth of the soul of Russia. And traffic jams on the roads - what does this say? It means that Moscow has truly become a modern city. Well, if you don't want to talk about the prospects of restoring monarchy in Russia, maybe we can discuss the same topic in relation to France?... Because the return of an autocrat to power in your country was more possible than ever in the mid-1960s: there was a threat of communists coming to power, and President de Gaulle seriously considered the option of bringing back the monarch.
Maurice Druon: The leftist threat was primarily at the end of World War II when an undeclared civil war was raging in France itself, and when General de Gaulle saved the country and rose above the left and the right. He was above them. And I try to share his approach. But is it possible to restore monarchy in France today?
Maurice Druon: I think it is impossible. It all depends on the people, on their opinion. I am far from certain that people would support monarchy. And if they don't, and France doesn't have a king - please, don't nostalgize about it. There's no need.
