Vallauris, France. wn.wikipedia.org Last week, a wealthy man closed a whole beach on the French Riviera so he could use it privately, and now he's left before his holiday was due to end.
Only eight days into a planned three-week stay, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has cut short his stay after the beach closure arranged for his safety caused an uproar. Because the Mirandole beach spreads directly below King Salman's private villa, the French officials agreed to seal it off for the monarch's security.
Of course, he came with a few friends—at least half of his 1,000-strong entourage.
More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the public beach at Vallauris. Critics claimed the move was a breach of French laws on equality.
A spokesman told AFP news agency that the beach would reopen to the public on Monday morning.
A temporary lift connecting the beach with the villa, which had also angered local residents, will be removed in the coming weeks. Building the lift had involved pouring a large concrete slab on the sand, angering people in the area as well.
The royal party generated mixed emotions among the local population. Source: BBC.
Only eight days into a planned three-week stay, King Salman of Saudi Arabia has cut short his stay after the beach closure arranged for his safety caused an uproar. Because the Mirandole beach spreads directly below King Salman's private villa, the French officials agreed to seal it off for the monarch's security.
Of course, he came with a few friends—at least half of his 1,000-strong entourage.
More than 100,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the public beach at Vallauris. Critics claimed the move was a breach of French laws on equality.
A spokesman told AFP news agency that the beach would reopen to the public on Monday morning.
A temporary lift connecting the beach with the villa, which had also angered local residents, will be removed in the coming weeks. Building the lift had involved pouring a large concrete slab on the sand, angering people in the area as well.
The royal party generated mixed emotions among the local population. Source: BBC.
French Riviera - www.flickr.com There are always several sides to any story. The basic way of looking at things consists of positive and negative. Positive: The rich visitors created good business for the store-holders. Negative: Not only did the visitors destroy part of the beach with concrete, an enduring unnatural material, but they also took over the area for their own use.
And then, we should consider equality. Why should one wealthy, privileged man forbid people from using their accustomed beach area?
Okay, fame brings with it a security risk. There are always other cocks who will knock the king pin off his perch for profit, status gain, or because of jealousy. That risk comes with the role of the wealthy, royalty, film stars, and celebrities.
Some people would like us to do away with royalty forever—“off with their heads.” And yet, the general public worship celebrities of their own free will.
We're not talking about personal possessions here. Everyone has a right to their inheritance or their goods. This is about the use of public land.
At least the visitors have gone, allowing the 100,000 other holiday-makers to enjoy the beach for the rest of Summer.
I'll bet you have a point of view on the subject. Should the privileged make their own rules?
And then, we should consider equality. Why should one wealthy, privileged man forbid people from using their accustomed beach area?
Okay, fame brings with it a security risk. There are always other cocks who will knock the king pin off his perch for profit, status gain, or because of jealousy. That risk comes with the role of the wealthy, royalty, film stars, and celebrities.
Some people would like us to do away with royalty forever—“off with their heads.” And yet, the general public worship celebrities of their own free will.
We're not talking about personal possessions here. Everyone has a right to their inheritance or their goods. This is about the use of public land.
At least the visitors have gone, allowing the 100,000 other holiday-makers to enjoy the beach for the rest of Summer.
I'll bet you have a point of view on the subject. Should the privileged make their own rules?
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