Every year, young women in southwestern France put on white dresses and prepare for an important vote: to be titled the most virtuous woman of their village.
The tradition of crowning an 18-year-old woman with white roses in recognition of her irreproachable conduct and moral character originated in the 19th century but is still practised in 45 French villages.
It is now at the centre of a row over alleged government “wokeism”. Mayors are furious that the culture ministry is refusing to back their demand for the tradition to be given Unesco world heritage status on the grounds that it contravenes the principle of gender equality.
Screw the ‘Cultureless Ministry’.
