Thank you for sharing VE day and bringing tear to the eye of this old Francophile. Hope your cold is properly gone and is not lingering like the archetypal unwanted guest who stays too long after a party.
Thanks for sharing the youtube video. Brilliant. Have you read Suite Francaise ? That's such a great (fictional) account of these experiences. Beautifully crafted.
Very moving, and so fitting that you had lunch after the ceremony on the rue Général de Gaulle. I had not realised quite how much de Gaulle believed it was his destiny to save France and have her rally around his leadership after his flight to London, nor how fraught his relationship with Churchill and Roosevelt was (and how they excluded the French from many decisions involving France). His great fear was that after the war Britain and America would form a power bloc and that Britain especially would muscle in on former French colonies and spheres of influence, including North African, Syria and the Lebanon. So much stemmed from this, including his veto of Britain's first request to join the Common Market. What might not have been, if we had been able to join at that early point? But his self-belief was astounding, and created modern France. A couple of good books on de Gaulle: 'A Certain Idea of France', by Julian Jackson (hyper-detailed, including about the post-war political landscape, so perhaps not one if you have a cold), and 'The General', by Johnathan Fenby (much more accessible and a good read). I've become so interested in the France that he created that I've just ordered 'Les Trente Glorieuses', by Jean Fourastié. Les Trente Glorieuses is how the French refer to the 30 years after WW2, when France reinvented itself and made great social and technological progress. It's the France I arrived in as a student at the end of the 1970s, and was immediately struck by how modern France was, and by the uncomfortable fact that the Britain I had left was...not.
I too find these commemorations very affecting, I remember a previous anniversary some years ago, standing with the assembled crowd up in the hills and vines, near Fontes, as speeches were made and tributes fired. The place was where the retreating Germans had stopped en route and had shot three men, one being a Captain Fowler. Three crosses mark the spot in the vines. Captain Fowler’s grave is among the maquis’ little memorial just outside Salasc. At the Apero Amicale after the formalities I found myself, par hazard, in conversation with a lady who had come from Marseille that day, her husband had been one of the men shot. She had a locket around her neck which she opened to show me his photograph. These villages are full of memories of that time, and I often sense the emotional footprint, there are stories to hear, if you wait patiently. Mostly the women have the tale to tell. One never presumes to open a scar that is still, ‘tiede’.
Oof, that song and the accompanying video are powerful stuff. Thank you for sharing that with us Debora - it was completely new to me.
I hope you feel better soon, but blimey, talking of health doesn't M Nicolini look good for 96? The air down there must be good for you, and is hopefully working its magic on you too.
What a wonderful post, Deborah! Thank you so much for helping us feel and see the day through your eyes. I especially appreciated the link and translation of the partisans’ song. I hope you are feeling better soon!
That was a corker of a post. Thank you. I’ve often imagined being a member of the resistance up here in the hills and forests. We honour the young man and nurse who were trying to get information south when they were gunned down, not 500m from here. Get well tout de suite my friend. Bisous.
Yes, up were you are there were so many brave young men and women. It does feel close doesn't it? I know in Agde, eight people were awarded Righteous Among Nations medals by Israel for concealing and otherwise helping to save Jewish people in '42 when the round ups started. Normal people, extraordinary courage. Much love to you both, and hopefully see you soon. X
Thank you for sharing VE day and bringing tear to the eye of this old Francophile. Hope your cold is properly gone and is not lingering like the archetypal unwanted guest who stays too long after a party.
Thank you for sharing this historic song Le Chant des Partisans Debora. I can’t believe I was so ignorant, having no knowledge of it
I felt so moved. What bravery existed. May it find our way into our hearts now as it is so needed. Thank you, Deborah.
We certainly need it now. X
Thanks for sharing the youtube video. Brilliant. Have you read Suite Francaise ? That's such a great (fictional) account of these experiences. Beautifully crafted.
Yes, I remember reading it when it had been serialised on Radio 4. I might read it again.
A great post and a special thank you for that soup recipe.
Thank you, Peter.
This history puts me in mind of the incredible book, The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah.
A lovely post and soup.
I will look it up, Sally. Thank you.
Very moving, and so fitting that you had lunch after the ceremony on the rue Général de Gaulle. I had not realised quite how much de Gaulle believed it was his destiny to save France and have her rally around his leadership after his flight to London, nor how fraught his relationship with Churchill and Roosevelt was (and how they excluded the French from many decisions involving France). His great fear was that after the war Britain and America would form a power bloc and that Britain especially would muscle in on former French colonies and spheres of influence, including North African, Syria and the Lebanon. So much stemmed from this, including his veto of Britain's first request to join the Common Market. What might not have been, if we had been able to join at that early point? But his self-belief was astounding, and created modern France. A couple of good books on de Gaulle: 'A Certain Idea of France', by Julian Jackson (hyper-detailed, including about the post-war political landscape, so perhaps not one if you have a cold), and 'The General', by Johnathan Fenby (much more accessible and a good read). I've become so interested in the France that he created that I've just ordered 'Les Trente Glorieuses', by Jean Fourastié. Les Trente Glorieuses is how the French refer to the 30 years after WW2, when France reinvented itself and made great social and technological progress. It's the France I arrived in as a student at the end of the 1970s, and was immediately struck by how modern France was, and by the uncomfortable fact that the Britain I had left was...not.
Thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and informative message Linda. I appreciate it very much.
I hope your cold is better soon and a very moving article
Thank you, Miranda.
post script
teaspoon turmeric, half teaspoon black pepper, pinch of ginger, honey to taste, add hot water, give it a stir and drink slowly...should help x
Thank you, Jenny.
I too find these commemorations very affecting, I remember a previous anniversary some years ago, standing with the assembled crowd up in the hills and vines, near Fontes, as speeches were made and tributes fired. The place was where the retreating Germans had stopped en route and had shot three men, one being a Captain Fowler. Three crosses mark the spot in the vines. Captain Fowler’s grave is among the maquis’ little memorial just outside Salasc. At the Apero Amicale after the formalities I found myself, par hazard, in conversation with a lady who had come from Marseille that day, her husband had been one of the men shot. She had a locket around her neck which she opened to show me his photograph. These villages are full of memories of that time, and I often sense the emotional footprint, there are stories to hear, if you wait patiently. Mostly the women have the tale to tell. One never presumes to open a scar that is still, ‘tiede’.
That is incredibly moving, Jenny. People endured so much.
Oof, that song and the accompanying video are powerful stuff. Thank you for sharing that with us Debora - it was completely new to me.
I hope you feel better soon, but blimey, talking of health doesn't M Nicolini look good for 96? The air down there must be good for you, and is hopefully working its magic on you too.
Thank you, Jane. M Nicolini was in remarkable form. Impressive in so many ways.
What a wonderful post, Deborah! Thank you so much for helping us feel and see the day through your eyes. I especially appreciated the link and translation of the partisans’ song. I hope you are feeling better soon!
Thank you so much. I am very glad you found it interesting.
Hope you feel better soon x
Thank you, Nichola.
Thank you again, Debora, for another lovely post … a generous slice of nostalgia, a dollop of patriotism on the side, and garnished with respect!
My heart swells!
🙌🏽🇫🇷🤩💙🤍♥️🏆🇫🇷👏🏽
Thank you my darling, bisous. X
What a lovely post and what a fine looking man is M Georges Nicolini. I love France in May. ❤️
He was very sprightly, with a twinkle in his eye.
That was a corker of a post. Thank you. I’ve often imagined being a member of the resistance up here in the hills and forests. We honour the young man and nurse who were trying to get information south when they were gunned down, not 500m from here. Get well tout de suite my friend. Bisous.
Yes, up were you are there were so many brave young men and women. It does feel close doesn't it? I know in Agde, eight people were awarded Righteous Among Nations medals by Israel for concealing and otherwise helping to save Jewish people in '42 when the round ups started. Normal people, extraordinary courage. Much love to you both, and hopefully see you soon. X