Marianne

Marianne is the almost obligatory sculpture to be found in nearly every town or village. Gradually over the twentieth century, every town hall acquired a bust of Marianne, now systematically wearing the Phrygian bonnet and stripped of her other attributes (bundle of arms, builder’s level or scales).
Marianne now appears in an expurgated version. The latest figures most popular with today’s town halls are modeled on the features of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Laetitia Casta.  The assimilation of the French Republic to La Marianne is now a fact. Marianne has survived five republics and the vicissitudes of history, and her symbolic capacity has increased as the idea of the French Nation has become more firmly established.  
I walk past her every day but barely give her a glance but was looking hard for something to blip today on my shortened walk around the village. It has been raining and particularly dull. I did not welcome the news from last night - no lockdown (although surely that must come and I believe the delay is a misstep) but the borders to third countries have now been closed and of course now, after Brexit, that includes the UK.. I am not surprised that people entering are being refused but I don't see the rationale for stopping people leaving.  It makes me feel a little uneasy, a sense of being trapped. I had no intention of returning to the UK at present but will need to at some point for domestic and business reasons.