I often think... of the Rue du Doctor Gustave Rioblanc: A lost island of tolerance

A look back and wistful memories of a childhood in post-war southern Europe. The street in the author’s home town, Rue du Docteur Gustave Rioblanc, no longer exists today. The unique attitude to life and the peaceful coexistence of all its wonderful inhabitants disappeared 50 years ago in the course of political and social events, which increasingly put pressure on the tolerance, respect for diversity and love of humanity that was actually practised. The protagonists of this little book were scattered to the four winds. Like the narrator, they dream - if they have not already died - of their sunken island. They see the violence and hatred between people of different religions and origins in many places today and yet carry the certainty in their hearts that things can be different. In addition to the wistful memories, the hope remains that somewhere in the world there is a similar island or that it will rise again.