This was the substance of the editorial in issue 1 of Tangente, October–November 1987. Edifying!
It was the work of a small team drawn from many different backgrounds: "those who wielded the pen" at Petit Archimède, at PLOT and its pioneering "Horizons mathématiques" exhibition, at Paradrome and the APM; and "those who competed" at the FFJM (founded that same year by Gilles), its associated championship and the emerging mathematics rallies, as well as those committed to extending the reach of the International Mathematical Olympiad.
Launching a publication intended for high-school students as well as readers beyond the world of education was quite a feat, since these founding ideas were far from widely shared. The notion that mathematics was part of culture still seemed somewhat incongruous at the time, yet the point has since been proved. Tangente plays its part in popularizing mathematics: making it approachable, illuminating its meaning and scope, showing its human dimension and its place in history, forging connections where convenient divisions might otherwise prevail, encouraging thought and exploration, and making it a source of enjoyment and festivity…
The publication endured, and Gilles played an essential part in that. Was the original project fulfilled? In one sense, clearly: just read this magazine, unlike any other. In another sense, the project still has room to grow. A skilled cultivator, Gilles developed it through many other initiatives, bringing a host of partners along with him and achieving success after success.
Gilles's determination to make it succeed and endure deserves emphasis; here is one small example from my own experience.
Nearly twenty years ago, when the association based around Fermat's birthplace in Beaumont-de-Lomagne (Tarn-et-Garonne) was organizing a Fête à Fermat, collaborating with Tangente was an obvious choice. It was Gilles's idea; he cared deeply about providing this kind of support. But he also set exacting terms. I remember a rather gruelling negotiation with him over the phone: he did not merely want to contribute, but also to protect Tangente's interests. The discussion was tough, but it also showed an understanding of the constraints facing a small association. We reached an agreement: the "Spécial Fête à Fermat" supplement would be included in the current issue, and Tangente authors would help fill it with material related to the festival's theme ("Mathematics and circus arts," "Mathematics and shapes," "A mathematical journey"…). Does that not say a great deal about Gilles's legacy? Tenacity in pursuing an enterprise, coupled with a sense of the common good.
