FRUSTRATED with the “lazy cliches” used when discussing Scotland, National contributor Assa Samake-Roman is launching a new magazine about the nation.
When the first lockdown hit, Assa used her spare time to write a book: Ecosse, Hadrien et la licorne (Scotland, Hadrian and the Unicorn).
When the second came around, she floated the idea of creating a magazine.
Specifically, Assa wanted to create something written for the French-speaking world in an effort to strengthen Scottish international links and redefine “the vision of Scotland”.
Ok y'all seem quite hyped about this idea, so I might ACTUALLY do it (to tell you everything, I've been thinking about this for a few months) 🤩
— Assa Samaké-Roman (@Terfele) December 19, 2020
“People showed an interest, so I thought: let's do it,” she says.
Assa is joined on the magazine’s team by poet and academic Dr Paul Malgrati, former journalist and fellow host of the Ecosse Toujours podcast Sarah Lachhab, photographer and reporter Julien Marsault, and her husband Jean Roman-Samaké, a public policy expert and parliamentary advisor to a French MP.
Clockwise from top right: Dr Paul Malgrati, Sarah Lachhab, Julien Marsault, and Jean Roman-Samaké.
Assa told The National: “We think the five of us, with diverse backgrounds in journalism, politics, literature, academia, photography, and tourism, are a great mix to create what will be a bi-annual magazine, exploring Scotland through our Franco-Scots' eyes.
“There will be one big broad theme in each issue, that will explore with many different angles: history, politics, arts, tourism, etc.
READ MORE: Assa Samake-Roman: As an immigrant, I was proud to call Scotland home yesterday
“We're doing this because we think now is the time to strengthen the existing links between Scotland, France, and the wider French-speaking world, and because the vision of Scotland we want to offer to French-speaking audiences is not quite there: we've often been frustrated about lazy clichés and shortcuts when discussing a country that is now ours too.”
La Revue Ecossaise will be a bi-annual magazine, with the first edition expected in early 2022.
However, for those itching for a preview, the website is already live and subscriptions to the newsletter open.
Subscribe to the newsletter and follow the magazine’s website here.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel