Sir, – The extreme heatwave hitting Europe has some unusual upsides, not least a renewed sense of connection between Europeans. The Dubs of Dublin now enjoy the same balmy weather (26 degrees) as the Alfacinhas of Lisbon. Meanwhile, Londoners (32 degrees), despite their best efforts at Brexit, might be happy to make the trip to the cooler coast of Calais (28 degrees).
Further inland, here in Paris, 40 degrees is too much to ask anyone to enjoy. But this, too, has an upside. There is a renewed appreciation, last seen during the Covid lockdowns, for those doing the manual labour we all depend on.
There is also a renewed sense of community, otherwise very reserved neighbours are exchanging cheery hellos and wishing each other courage pour la canicule (be brave in the heatwave). It might even happen that they will all dance together in the streets when the promised thunderstorms and rain arrive on Sunday. – Yours, etc,
CIARÁN MAC GUILL,
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Clichy,
France.
