AS THE worst of the pandemic is over, with restrictions being relaxed and the start of a new year, we are now looking to the future with, perhaps not unalloyed optimism, but a kind of reserved tentative hope. I thought that Renew would be an interesting theme, therefore, to explore for this issue.
Michelle Dockery. Photographer: Rokas Darulis
Some questions arose. Is the world renewing itself? Are we setting out renewed or anew? Has the last two years of separation and isolation created by the global lockdown caused us to reassess and renew our world view and attitudes?
The Chilean American writer, Isabel Allende, observed: “We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.”
Daisy Edgar-Jones. Photographer: Agata Pospieszynska
Or will it be a case of business as usual? With no real change in attitude and behaviour within the personal or political spheres.
We asked our two cover stars, both homegrown British actors, what renew meant to them.
Michelle Dockery, who is well known for her role in Downton Abbey, shared with us: “To start a fresh. Reconnect. Right now, it means a lot as I am renewing my connection with music.”
While the star of Normal People, Daisy Edgar-Jones, said:
“I feel like renew to me means starting to get back to life and hopefully having a dance and seeing my friends. But also, really appreciating that, because for such a long time we haven’t been able to [do those things].”
Whatever renewal means to you, I hope the new year, and the return to the world, brings you the chance to renew yourself.
by Caroline Simpson
Editor in chief
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