She was beautiful ceremony on February 21 in which the President paid tribute worthy of their sacrifice to the resistant group Manouchian, “died for France.” Yes it was moving, the wreath laying Francois Hollande in the clearing of Mont Valerian, on the same place where 22 members of the network Mavericks Supporters of immigrant labor and three Britons students were shot by the army of occupation. By this gesture, and his speech, the Head of State wanted to express the gratitude of the nation to those who have earned not by birth but by their dedication to the cause of freedom. Symbolic oh speaking, especially for a leftist president in these times of debates about identity. And we were entitled to expect that in the spirit of this event gratitude to those who have given him everything, let alone when they were foreigners, the country opens this memorial dedicated to its great men The Pantheon.
Unfortunately, the demonstration stopped halfway. In a sense contrary to everything that had been proclaimed, the gates of monument were closed on the nose of these immigrants who deserved to France by the bloodshed. While in the process, it announced the entry of resistant exclusively French, two of which also were not killed by the Germans. How not to be struck by this paradox? It is certainly not here to discuss the value of the selected personalities, whose undoubted routes are at any point up to the distinction that has been granted. Nor, in these circumstances, to make a trial of intent unsavory to the President of the Republic, who are all wanted on his own brilliance to give a Republican 70th anniversary of the execution of Manouchian group. But to question the relevance of the double message of this ceremony honoring the resistance of foreign origin, are quality, which resulted in the announcement of the Pantheon which they are seen excluded. This is the logic out of this commemoration has taken a frustrating dimension for the first while being unpleasant for the latter, all of French nationality, who had not asked to be in this somewhat delicate configuration, understandably.
Another mistake, “Jewish origins” loaned to Missak Manouchian in the speech of François Hollande. This error of his “pen” has obviously nothing dramatic in itself. But still: is it not the least, when we want to pay tribute to a hero, but to respect its history? Manouchian had no “Jewish origins” as honorable and beautiful they may be. He was, as has also been pointed out, of Armenian origin, a survivor of the 1915 genocide perpetrated by Turkey against its own citizens because of their ethnicity and religion. And it is also because of this memory that is identified at this point in the fate of victims of anti-Semitic extermination business organized by the Nazis and he took part – how! – In the Resistance. This is an important distinction insofar as it participates own political message of the struggle of Manouchian group composite in terms of nationalities and religions. It “is” by what we do. And as these foreigners were also French than the French, or more. And it was beautiful and just go after the tribute of 21 February and proclaim before a France questioning its values that immigrants who have died for it deserved, too, to appear in the Pantheon . At least the initiative of François Hollande will she may have allowed a first step in this direction, rich in symbols. In any anyway thanks.
Ara Toranian
Ara © armenews.com