Page 78 - Bulletin, Vol.83 No.2, September 2024
P. 78
These two examples show the major changes taking place in countries other than those
of old Europe.
More aware of climate change, more forward-looking? Refocusing activities (Brasilia)?
Utopia? Delusions of grandeur? Impressing visitors (as was the case for Versailles)?
Financing and foreign control? One thing is certain, this change was always the will of
one Head of state.
These questions cannot leave us indifferent above all they show us, if proof were still
needed, that the world has changed.
We should remember, however, that many countries have changed their capital at one
time or another.
Famous examples of capital relocations include the move of Brazil's capital from Rio
de Janeiro to Brasília, and the move of Pakistan's capital from Karachi to Islamabad.
Let's not forget Camberra to replace Melbourne and avoid turf battles with Sydney.
In addition to these cities, certain political upheavals have also influenced the
designation of a city as capital, as for example Vietnam, where Hô-Chi-Minh-Ville, in
homage to the father of the nation, is none other than Saigon (but shhh, you can't say
that...).
A hot topic for many of us, Paris has not always been the capital of France. Throughout
the maze of French history, there have been no fewer than 9 capitals....
Lyon, Tournai, Soissons, Quierzy , Aachen, Tours, Versailles, Vichy.... A real tour of
France.
Of course, I don't pretend to go into all the details, but one thing is certain: all of these
capitals have gigantic central axes, which make it possible to plan huge military
parades.
Translated with DEEPL, Revised by Monika SPYCZAK-VON-BRZEZINSKI
76 AAFI-AFICS BULLETIN, Vol. 83 No. 2, 2024-09
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