French will demonstrate against the new year: "Stop 2007!"

Vive la révolution: Protesters take stand against the march of time

The Independent
09 December 2006

France is the land of protest but, these days, most French revolutions are of the conservative variety. The French mostly demonstrate against the new. A shadowy group based in the west of France hopes to push French immobilism to a novel level. The group, called Fonacon, is planning a demonstration against the New Year.

Supporters are being urged to turn out in the streets on Nantes on the evening of 31 December, not to celebrate the coming of 2007 but to protest against it. Financial backing, and lots of food and drink, have been promised by a number of cultural festivals based in the west of France.

"Stop 2007. It must not pass. All in the street against 2007," are the slogans on the group's website, Fonacon.net.

"If 2007 happens regardless, which is unlikely, we will hire a fleet of special trains to go to Paris next year and demonstrate on the Champs Elysées against 2008," said one of the organisers.

Fonacon is hoping that the idea will catch on in other French cities and, maybe, around the world. Something similar is already planned in Kiev.

The name Fonacon comes from the group's title - Front d'opposition à la nouvelle année and Comité d'Organistion National (acronym "con", which means daft). The organisers, who prefer to remain anonymous, say it is illogical that people should celebrate the passing of time. The ending of a year is another step towards the grave and therefore a tragedy, not a cause for joy.

The idea, which began in the village of Chauché, south of Nantes last year, was launched nationally at a spoof "terrorist" press conference. The members of the anti-New Year front, including several otherwise conventional local businessmen and women, dressed up in hoods and masks.

"It is about time that the passage of time ended," said one of the hooded organisers. "We are fed up with getting older. Why should we follow the fashion? The planet is getting older and warmer. Not us. Stop this mad race towards death."

"Besides, next year is an election year [in France] and has a rather doubtful feel about it. Sego v Sarko? Not for us. No thanks."

Protesting, Canute-like, against the inevitable has a long and respectable history in France. When the left-wing philosopher and writer Jean-Paul Sartre died tens of thousands of people followed his coffin through the streets of Paris.

One of them said that he had "come to demonstrate against Sartre's death."