Operation Croissant(LONDON) — A group of friends from France traveled to London on Wednesday on a mission to hand out hundreds of freshly baked croissants in an effort to convince British people to stay in the European Union.
A record 46.5 million people are expected to head to the polls Thursday to vote in a referendum on whether or not Britain should remain in the E.U.
“It was conceived as an act of friendship, proximity and goodwill” organizers of the event said in a statement, dubbing the event “Operation Croissant.”
However, the group was not allowed to go forward with its plan so organizers gave out 500 postcards with messages written by fellow Europeans instead.
“It has been very touching to receive the messages for the postcards,” organizers said. “It made us realize that many people have wanted to speak about this issue, and were looking for a simple and anonymous way to do so.”
One message was written by a British pastry chef currently living in Paris. She explained the difference between straight croissants, which are made from butter, and curved ones, which are made from margarine.
“I know because as an English girl — and E.U. citizen — I was allowed to go to pastry school for free, like the French kids. I learned how to layer butter and dough to make these flaky creatures,” said Frances, who didn’t include her last name on the postcard.
“All this to say, I am grateful for open borders, for the right to travel and work elsewhere. For cultural and culinary exchange. Bon appétit et très bonne journée,” Frances added.
Marie Houzelle, a writer living in a suburb of Paris, wrote on her card: “We like you: your language, your music, your radio, your fiction—your difference.”
Gérard, a lawyer from Paris, wrote: “Relationship status: it’s complicated, but it’s easier to bring you breakfast in bed if you stay. There are not enough croissants in France to express how much we love you guys.”
Many of the messages praised British cultural exports. Sabine from Paris wrote: “In the words of one of your very best exports, Sir John Lennon: ‘The French make rock and roll like the English make wine.’ Luckily we can have both together.”
While no croissants were distributed, the organizers did manage to bring a batch from France and dropped them off at a homeless shelter in London.
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