Quotes of the Day

We thought it might be big. We just had no idea it would be this big. Still, we're delighted that Donald Morrison's cover story on French culture last month provoked such a lively exchange of views, in print, in TV studios, on the Internet.

Of course, I could peevishly express disappointment that so few correspondents engaged with Morrison's argument that "a new infusion of energy from the margins" is revivifying French culture; I could suggest that those who rushed to condemn us might protest too much. But it's the season of goodwill, so we're delighted to publish the accompanying letter by Olivier Poivre d'Arvor, director of CulturesFrance, together with a selection of other comments on our story. May the debate continue.

Michael Elliott, EDITOR, TIME INTERNATIONAL

OLIVIER POIVRE D'ARVOR: Living Proof of a Vibrant Culture
Culture of Healthy Debate: Some opinions on the state of French arts

• MICHAEL ELLIOTT
• We're delighted that Donald Morrison's cover story on French culture provoked such a lively exchange of views