Darf ich mal schreien

“A perfectly ordinary wedding. Ordinary? Not quite, as the wedding takes place inside a shopping centre specially transformed into a church for the occasion. This is the first prize of the ’98 Couple of the Year’ contest organised by the centre is being held for the first time. Shoppyland’s managers had coolly calculated this promotional event without taking into account the winning couple’s dreams and expectations. The Church authorities, nonetheless, finally have their word to say, and the well-oiled commercial machine is in danger of running off track. When I first came across an announcement for the contest in a local newspaper, I was intrigued. I found the sheer absurdity of the idea amusing, but it then saddened and revolted me to think that a shopping centre had appropriated an event as intimate as a wedding. I wanted to understand… Who were the managers who were purposefully merchandising these couples? What was their attitude towards this event and towards the fiancés? What pushed the couples into selling their marriage in this way?” (Jeanne Berthoud)