Gaspard Koenig is one of Franceās most original public intellectuals ā a philosopher, novelist, founder of the GenerationLibre think tank, and even a one-time presidential candidate.
When he isnāt writing or debating ideas, Koenig can often be found tending to his garden and horses on a small farm in Normandy, exploring what he calls his ādown-to-earth era.ā For him, the countryside is not a retreat but a way to reflect on how humans truly connect with their environment.
Speaking with Paris Calling, Koenig delves into the distinction between land and soil, his journey from a months-long horseback expedition retracing Montaigneās path to his novel Humus, and his lifelong search for the deeper meanings of liberty ā rooted in responsibility, interdependence, and a sense of belonging to both nature and society.
This isĀ Paris Calling, where each week we encounter a notable person from somewhere around the world. We are breaking new ground by bringing non-English interviews into English with the use of Al tools that allow us to translate our guestās words, without changing their voice.
Founded in 2011, Worldcrunch is a pioneering global news outlet that brings the worldās best reporting into English. We deliver a truly international view on the news by working with the best media outlets to select, translate and adapt the stories that matter for a worldwide audience.
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