On the Events of May '68

On the Events of May '68

Everyday life, suddenly rediscovered, became the center of all possible conquests. People who had always worked in the now-occupied offices declared that they could no longer live as before, not even a little better than before. It was obvious in the dawning revolution that from then on there could be no more renunciations, only tactical retreats. When the Odeon was occupied the administrative director withdrew to the back of the stage. After the initial surprise he took a few steps forwards and cried out: "Now that you've taken it, keep it, never give it back, burn it first!" And the fact that the Odeon, momentarily in the hands of its cultural galley slaves, did not burn, only shows that we have just tasted the first fruits.

Capitalized time stopped. Without any trains, metro, cars, or work the strikers recaptured the time so sadly lost in factories, on motorways, in front of the T.V. People strolled, dreamed, learned how to live. Desires began to become, little by little, reality. For the first time youth really existed.

Rene Vienet, Enrages and situationists in the Occupations Movement