Culture

Paris’ traditional booksellers struggle as pandemic cuts trade

Paris, Jan 29 (EFE).- (Camera: Josep Puig) The scenery along the banks of the Seine in Paris has drastically changed due to the coronavirus pandemic as many of the capital's traditional second-hand booksellers have had their stands closed for months. FOOTAGE OF BOOK STANDS ALONG THE SEINE.SOUNDBITES AND TRANSLATIONS OF:Jerôme Callais:1- You have to understand that this is like a showcase. It should be and should remain as a showcase, that is, to be a showcase of the know-how of the bouquinistes and of what we propose at reasonable prices; and also a counter to bring more people to the docks.2- Our profession is based on the human, on sharing, on exchange, on knowledge and its communication and that is not done behind a computer screen. It is achieved by word of mouth, showing, touching ...Mathias:3- Now it is not easy with the coronavirus. I am the oldest of the bouquinistes, I have been here for 40 years. I am the only one who opens, it is paradoxical. It's nice out, it's not going to rain and I don't understand why my colleagues won't open. It is true that we are in winter, it is not the best season, and that it is not easy because we do not have tourism and the business has dropped a lot, international tourism.