Despite the particular context, a tribute was paid this Sunday morning on Place Victor Schoelcher in Dijon.
“Through their struggles and their deep desire for dignity and freedom, the slaves of the French colonies contributed to the universality of human rights and to the ideal of freedom, equality and fraternity that founds our Republic. France pays tribute to them here. “These are the words and messages engraved on the stele of Place Victor Schoelcher, at the corner of Boulevard Paul Doumer and Boulevard de Strasbourg.
Frédéric Sampson, director of the prefect of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté and Côte-d’Or, Elizabeth Revel, assistant to the mayor of Dijon, delegated to veterans, and Hyacinthe Diouf President of the Franco-Caribbean Diaspora of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.
A celebration on the occasion therefore, on May 10, of the national day of memories of the slave trade, slavery and their abolitions. This in the name of Memory with a capital M, so as not to forget what France declares today in “crime against humanity”.
Period of confinement obliges, it is once again in very small committee that the ceremony was held – committee less important than to commemorate May 8, 1945, in the first place obviously for reasons of security and respect for sanitary measures, the context and the framework did not allow according to the prefecture to invite personalities and associative representatives beyond measure as in previous years when the ceremony takes place just behind the Paul Doumer stadium -.
This did not prevent the laying of two wreaths in front of the stele and the respect for a minute of silence, then, to conclude this tribute, the song of La Marseillaise a cappella by the three personalities present.
Victor Schoelcher was a journalist and politician who signed the decree to abolish slavery on April 27, 1948. May 10 is recognized as the national day of memories of the slave trade and their abolition since 2006.
Alix Berthier
Photos: Alix Berthier
“May 8, 1945 celebrated in a very small committee”
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