In Europe, when you sign an important agreement, you generally come with some gift to celebrate. It's probably the same anywhere in the world but i wouldn't be surprised if in Asia they were also making sure that the event happens a "good" day, or they will ask monks to come to ask the protection of gods, etc...
But, anyway, in Occident we just bring gifts. And so did Michael Eisner to french official - who became later french president - Jacques Chirac, on March 24 1987 when Disney signed the final contract for what will become EuroDisney, then Disneyland Paris. And what did Eisner give to Chirac, you ask? He gives him an original cel from Snow White. Wow, that's a pretty cool gift, you think. Well, uh, yes and no. Have a closer look at the above picture and you'll see that this cel shows the witch giving to Snow White the POISONED APPLE!!
Although it's one of Snow White most famous sequence, you'll probably admit that Eisner could have found a better symbolism at a time he was signing a major contract to bring to France a Disney Magic Kingdom... A bit like if it was going to be a poisoned gift... And, although for the french state DLP has always been a good operation in terms of revenues that the state is getting from VAT, other taxes, and of course tourism, almost since the start DLP had these financial problems that we all know.
So, i'm asking the question: was Disneyland Paris cursed from the start thanks to Eisner more "Goofy" than ever? Of course not - well, probably not - but if one day you're signing this kind of major contract, you better choose as a gift something with a more appropriate symbolism!
Picture: copyright Reuters
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