This picture was taken in Florence. Italy some time ago, probably at the beginning of the craze, and I always wondered what they represented, imagining that they were there commemorating love and affection.
Until that is, I saw on the news that the amount of locks on one bridge in Paris had made part of the railing collapse. The bridge in question was the Pont des Arts and one of the loveliest and most romantic bridges is Paris. Ergo the many locks.
The rails on the bridge were already collapsing in 2014 and concerns were expressed at this growing habit in 2010. but it took until 2015 for the local authorities to swing into action. Or rather to slowly start removing the padlocks, or “love locks”.
It was reported at the time:
“For years, visitors have been attaching locks with sentimental messages to the bridge in symbolic acts of affection. Some further seal the deal by throwing keys into the Seine River below.”
Thereby knocking some Seine fish stone cold. Apparently an Italian novel-turned-film is thought to have created the practice, which started in Rome and spread. It was considered charming at first, but the thrill wore off as sections of fencing on the Pont des Arts crumbled under the locks' weight.
The bridge carried more than 700,000 locks with an estimated combined weight roughly the same as 20 elephants. Hmm. Other bridges began to collect a hoard and so on, and prompted the city fathers, the Paris City council, to state: "degradation of property heritage and a risk to the safety of visitors, Parisians and tourists". Hence the Action taken.
The lovely Pont des Arts was built between 1802 and 1804, under the reign of Napoleon I, a nine-arch metallic bridge for pedestrians was constructed at the location of the present day Pont des Arts: this was the first metal bridge in Paris. I’ve been there and it is a romantic spot, but any spot can be romantic if you’re in love.
While there's no love lost for the padlocks as far as some Parisians are concerned, some would-be tourists are lamenting the missed opportunity. To be sure there will be those whose exploit. Chanel were upbraided in Vogue for using the locks as a backdrop in one of their photoshoots. So the padlocks had to go.
The locks were in danger of overtaking the landmarks – not good. The landmarks in Paris have been there for centuries and are works of art and architecture. To hang a padlock on one is not art.
So we address what impact this has had on the world’s population of travellers eager to signal their undying affection by using the “lovelocks?” Well social media has answered this so I won’t bore you here. Social media was probably the beginning of it all: in an email someone would have written to a friend "Guess what – we sealed our love with a lovelock!” - when asked where, true lovers may have replied “It doesn’t matter where, the importance was in the lovelock”??
I can’t down social media anymore that's true as I am using it right now and loving it. But that’s only on Steemit where I believe I am involved in a community of like-minded individuals (well mostly) and besides it’s fun to do.
Ask me if I am against romance and I will give you the swiftest answer I can - “No” – I love romance, met my husband on a romantic impulse and we’ve been happy together over a dozen years. I re-read Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” every year and almost know all the words.
I’ve read many books considered romantic and found romance in others that aren’t particularly considered so. I love all the romantic movies, “Casablanca”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “The Philadelphia Story”, and many more, all different and all re-watchable many years later. I’ve written some, and about a third of my screenplays are on love and romance.
My message to the lovelorn: “Some day love will find you if you open your heart” and to those setting off on a trip with their padlocks at the ready: “a padlock will not seal love, only your devotion and love will do that.”
