Alaa el-Aswany – the author of Yacoubian’s building – came to Paris to present his last novel and to explain to the somewhat bewildered Frenchmen Egypt’s latest developments. Together with another great author, Gilbert Sinoué, he held a conference at the French-Egyptian society. In the meantime events are continuing to unfold in Egypt.

Ulrika Peppler is fascinated by art and especially by Oriental art. Her passion led her to choose to leave her safe job at UNESCO to embark upon the hazardous Parisian gallery scene.

An increase in violence and aggressions against women have these past years led to several new courses in self-defense for women in France. I went to one of those to find out about the safety situation in one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.

Aurélie Filippetti – the elegant French Minister of Culture – took her time to go around and visit most contemporary art stands at Grand Palais.

Jennifer Flay – FIAC’s Director – had seen to it that the level of the art shown during this 40th jubilee was good enough to compete with other international art fairs especially the very estimated Basel one.