The Paper Speaks

This is the last issue of the academic year, and fond desire I have, like François Villon, to say mercys to all sorts of people. Some, of scholarly spirit, might argue that this mercys does not actually mean “thank you”, but “forgive me”, and that it was until fairly recently usual for someone near their end to take leave from the world in such a manner. But to their righteous remarks I oppose the naughty child Rimbaud and maintain that this mercys means what it means, literally and in every way.

"Je crye à toutes gens mercys." François Villon

I say to everyone thank you. I, that is to say ROUX. Thank you to Sonja Di Renzo and Antonio Tavan for assuring, month after month, the magazine’s printing. Thank you to Julie Toussaint, who went out of her way to make copies available in the LLC. Thank you to Véronique Heitz from the Rotondes and Julie Jephos from the MUDAM for their support, help and delightful conversation.

Thank you – and could I thank her enough? – to Veerle Waterplas for being, in matters administrative, a sort of patron to the magazine. If it was necessary that the initiative to found a student magazine came from the students, it was no less necessary that this initiative encountered the benevolent activity of one such as her. The paperwork she did for the magazine was as copious as it was crucial. I shall not list it here, for that would take too long; such is the splendour and misery of ungrateful labour. She knows what she is owed. Without you, dear Veerle, none of this would have been possible.

Thank you to everyone who brought to ROUX their contribution; to the companions of a moment, who came and went, and to those who stayed; to the generous ones who were there since the start and gave away innumerable hours to grant this magazine body and shape, – who thus became, in a way, its first soul. Speaking of soul, thank you, of course, to Zoltan Tajti, in whose mind the idea of a student magazine first sprouted and who did everything he could to make it a reality. I remember the many sleepless nights and long-winded phone calls, the plethora of emails exchanged, the writing, the organising, the quarrelling, your tireless work and your tired look sometimes; I also remember your encouragements to the team and the inspiration you were to its members. None of this, dear Zoltan, would have been possible without you either.

Thank you, finally, to the readers of ROUX. I have the conceit to think that not every copy taken ends up a cornet for fries. I reckon no greater encouragement than the rumour and signs of your satisfaction. It is, after all, for you that I exist. Do not doubt that my writers, designers and illustrators are all crazy enough to perform a generous deed for no other reason than its own beauty; but nevertheless: without your continued support, the effort would not taste the same.

Barely have I begun and already, space is running out. Those I had to omit, may they be indulgent; and let them receive here a twofold mercys: once for sorry and once for thanks!

by Valère Gaube