75 Marseille! Your small port (LaVieux Port) witnessed glorious moments in your history. It, not only played a formidable economic role in the Mediterranean Sea, but also left a much deeper impact on the areas of thought, culture and art as you became source of inspiration and haven for poets, artists and painters. The latter had their painting careers flourishing on the pavements of Les quais de Canal and the Rive Neuve. Suffice to mention great works such as Le Cenacle by Marcel Arnaud (18771956), and Le Poteau by Mathieu Verdilhan (1875-1928). Such was your great city. Then, the trauma of defeat ensued. Andre Ducasse wrote immediately afterwards: “My city stopped laughing”. Yes, it did. However, as darkness enveloped France, Marseille became shelter for the writers and artists who fled the German occupation. The port of Marseille was the only open gate on the road to liberty. This had a direct impact on all the cultural activities especially after a number of cultural establishments from Paris moved their activities to Marseille which became France’s capital of culture. The Cahiers du Sud which ran for 50 years (1014-1966) under Jean Ballard (1893-1973) became an intellectual meeting point. The revival in the cultural life following the 22 July 1940 truce, was described by Ballard as Marseille being in labour with hope. This cultural eruption was immediately connected with the influx of the refugees who had been displaced and ended flee-
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