It’s a duo with unusual charm. Erri De Luca, immense Italian writer, committed to the defense of migrants, preferring reading the Talmud to the tumult of the world. Ines de la Fressange, elegance made woman, Marianne for a time, still a stylist, Parisian with a claimed frivolity. And now they have written a book released this fall in Italy “L’Età sperimentale” (the experimental age). How to invent a new way to age? While waiting for a French translation, the opportunity was so good to meet them. One is facetious, the other is mischievous and speaks in irresistible French. Both evoke the passing of time, but also happiness and love.
SHE. – How did you meet?
Ines de la Fressange. – We have to invent something more wonderful than reality… It was in a garden… Very far away…
Erri De Luca. – It was in Paris, one day when I had a bad toothache! I asked a friend if he knew a dentist, I went to his house and there was Ines! My partner, Paola, who is one of her big fans, recognized her. I was immediately convinced that she was a beautiful person.
I. F. – This mutual friend said to me: I'm waiting for Erri De Luca, do you want to stay? The greatest Italian writer who showed up, I was intimidated, even terrified. But Paola arrived and immediately the atmosphere was joyful. Erri looked at me straight in the eyes, with a little smirk, and I said to myself: my God, he is beautiful! In fashion, we are frivolous! But I am also convinced that over time we get the look we deserve. I loved how calm Erri was as I couldn't wait to text my friends and say, guess who I met? It was four years ago.
ELLE. – What brings you together? A common art of cultivating joy?
E. d. L. – We have to be happy. I let myself be surprised by happiness, several times a day, for brief moments. They are unexpected, often appearing in the morning, very early, when I get up in the still dark night. These are moments of perfect happiness
