In these uncertain times, we will certainly not shy away from the pleasure of the restored Notre-Dame. Also, we will take the opportunity to question the following contemporary paradox: never has the distrust towards control been so great, while religious fervor continues to grow. Passion of the One, the effects of which shake our current affairs sharply.

And while we can violently denounce it, which is the very thing we seek to do, the psychoanalyst bears witness of this passion every day. And his practice aims precisely to undo this unhappy relationship with the One, otherwise hopeless: because the initial love turns to hatred, for a lack of proper recipient. We know this and it concerns us as well.

The analyst lends himself to be the recipient of this transference, but at the expense of making himself disposable. This is his act.

Because psychoanalysts don’t work alone, that would be impossible, the question of the One comes back to them as they form institution or group, the One who will give them a semblant of consistency.

Melman was able to hold this place for us, with the support of a few others, allowing us to work peacefully for a long time under the shelter provided by the holding of this place.

With him gone, the question remains: will we be able to posit, in place of this One, work that is worth enough to create a link between us, other than through opportunity or circumstance?

Happy Holiday

Stéphane THIBIERGE

President of ALI

Translated by Lorena Strunk