Lifelong Learning Programme

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission.
This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Select language

This section of the Pathway through Religions portal provides administrative information for the project contractual partners and for the European Commission and it is password protected.

Map

Homepage > ReligiousSite Map > Map

An interactive didactical map interactive didactical map giving access to sites with a religious relevance.

Back to the Religious Sites List

Le Mémorial national de la guerre d'Algérie et des combats du Maroc et de la Tunisie.

Le Mémorial national de la guerre d'Algérie et des combats du Maroc et de la Tunisie.

65 Quai Branly, 75007 Paris, France.

RELIGIONS Catholic, Islam

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELIGIOUS SITE

DESCRIPTION
The National Memorial of the Algerian War and the fights of Morocco and Tunisia is a monument to the dead. The memorial is the work of Gérard Collin-Thiébaut. It consists of three vertical electronic displays integrated in three columns of 5.85 meters high, scrolling, in each of the three colors of the flag of France, information on people and events commemorated: - On the first column scroll continuously the names and surnames of the 23,000 soldiers and harkis, ie the indigenous soldiers of Algeria who served alongside the French soldiers, died for France in North Africa. - On the second column pass messages recalling the period of the war in Algeria and the memory of all those who disappeared after the cease-fire. On March 26, 2010, the President of the Republic and his government decided to inscribe on this column the names of the civilian victims of the demonstration of the rue d'Isly, in Algiers, on March 26, 1962. - On the third column, thanks to the use of an interactive terminal located at the foot of the monument, visitors can see the name of a soldier wanted from among all the names in the list.
HISTORICAL RELEVANCE
Inaugurated on December 5, 2002 by the President of the Republic, Jacques Chirac, in the presence of Michèle Alliot-Marie, Minister of Defense, Hamlaoui Mekachera, Secretary of State for Veterans Affairs, he celebrates the memory of the 23,000 soldiers who died France, France and Harkis, as well as that of civilian victims. This place is therefore intended to pay tribute to the victims of this war of independence that will make 27 500 victims listed French, harkis and legionnaires of the French army, no less than 250,000 casualties in the Algerian independents' camp, and finally 30 000 and 100,000 harkis killed as a result of the signing of the Evian agreements. The recognition of the massacre of the Harkis took a while, and it was only official in 2012 under the government of Nicolas Sarkozy. However the creation of this memorial was a step in the recognition and tribute in honor of these victims.
INTER-RELIGIOUS RELEVANCE
This monument pays tribute to fighters of any religion, (the Harkis fighters being Muslims), as well as to all civilian casualties that matter their religion. Indeed, on the ground is engraved: "In memory of the fighters who died for France during the Algerian war and the fights of Morocco and Tunisia, and that of all the members of the auxiliary forces, killed after the cease in Algeria, many of which have not been identified. There is also a plaque that reads: "The Nation associates the disappeared persons and the civil populations victims of massacres or exactions committed during the war of Algeria and after March 19, 1962 in violation of the agreements of Evian, as well as the civilian victims of the fighting in Morocco and Tunisia, to the tribute paid to the dead fighters for France in North Africa ". This shows a message of peace and respect despite the different religious denominations of fallen soldiers, or even civilian casualties.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
This place has an important religious influence, but especially secular, that is to say of respect for the religious beliefs of each one. This monument is the testimony and the respect of the soldiers and the civilians fallen during and even after the war of Algeria which was one of the most deadly in the history of France. It aims to pay tribute to civilians, fallen soldiers, regardless of their religious denomination. The plaque symbolizes the respect and the memory of the victims of the exactions, which were long suppressed by the governments in place, this monument then has a real value: that of the duty of memory of each one whatever its religious confession.
HOW TO USE WITH THE STUDENTS
The students could enjoy the visit of the memorial, because it represents a real sentimental value and a true duty of memory for both nations. In addition, it will raise their interest in this conflict, which is unknown in many French people's details.
REFERENCE TO THE GUIDELINE

    MEDIA RESOURCES

    • JPG

      5 décembre Memorial du Quai Branly
      In this picture, it is possible to see the plaque on which it is written: "The Nation associates the missing persons and the civil populations victims of massacres or exactions committed during the war of Algeria and after March 19, 1962 in violation of the agreements of Evian, as well as the civil victims of the combats from Morocco and Tunisia, to the tribute paid to the dead fighters for France in North Africa ". This plaque, inaugurated in 2006, pays tribute to all the civilian victims of the war in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.

    VIDEOS

    • Journée nationale du souvenir au Quai Branly
      This video, posted by the Ministry of the Armed Forces, presents a tribute made by the Minister Delegate for Veterans Affairs: Kader Arif in 2014, or this one pays homage to all the victims of the war: soldiers, civilians, called , harkis, whatever their religious denomination.

    LINKS

    Follow us

    -->

    This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This web site reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.