New ways to commemorate in France
For over a hundred years, France’s remembrance policy has been structured around “national days”, mostly set by law, and ceremonies to mark the anniversaries of historic events as part of annual themes. Today, with fewer and fewer survivors of 20th-century conflicts still with us, commemorations are taking on new, more up-to-date forms, to rise to the challenge of passing on their memory.
Remembrance policy for contemporary conflicts, of which the Ministry of the Armed Forces is custodian, seeks to preserve and pass on to the younger generation the memory of the involvement of servicemen and women and the principles and values that drove them, as well as the memory of victims of war.
Commemorations as diverse as our national history
That goal is translated as the organisation of public remembrance ceremonies. The ceremonies for which the Ministry of the Armed Forces is responsible are held as part of national days that are established by law or regulation. Since 1922, no fewer than 11 national holidays have punctuated the commemorative calendar of the Ministry of the Armed Forces. Those ceremonies remember the important events of contemporary conflicts in which France has been involved, fro the First World War to the present.
Like in Germany, these ceremonies commemorate key events in national history. Where the Second World War, the East German uprising of 1953 and reunification are the events commemorated in Germany, the scope of remembrance in France is broader. Here, it covers the two worlds wars and the wars of decolonisation, as well as remembering particular events or shedding light on specific memories (deportation, the Resistance, the harkis, etc.).
Meanwhile, whereas Germany celebrates specific anniversaries, like the 40th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of the Federal Republic, each year France defines a number of specific themes linked to the current remembrance cycles. For example, in 2021 the focus was on the end of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), the 30th anniversary of the Gulf War, the 70th anniversary of France’s involvement in the Korean War and the 80th anniversary of the Oath of Kufra. Specific tributes were also paid to the Free French Félix Eboué and Honoré d’Estienne d’Orves, and to the female Resistance fighter Berty Albrecht.
In addition, national tributes are regularly determined by the French president, in honour of service personnel killed on overseas operations, or following the death of prominent figures or events that have profoundly affected the nation.
Ceremony on the National day of remembrance and contemplation of the civilian and military victims
of the Algerian War and the fighting in Tunisia and Morocco, 19 March 2021, Paris. © Erwan Rabot/SGA-COM
Seeking out new audiences
The pursuit of this commemorative goal today faces some major challenges.
As the survivors and witnesses of history gradually die out, the Ministry of the Armed Forces must think about exploring new approaches to remembrance practice. If they do not change, the ceremonies will be destined to become confined to a select, captive audience of senior officials and specific interest groups.
The health crisis, which kept traditional audiences away from the ceremonies, also accentuated this risk of an increasingly inward-looking remembrance. The challenge for the Ministry of the Armed Forces is therefore for the general public to take ownership of the commemorations.
There is a need to seek out new audiences, to address and explain remembrance issues in particular to young people, using codes and formats more in tune with our era and in line with the desired direction for remembrance policy. Overhauling the commemorations will give them back their meaning, showing the potential remembrance has to adapt and ensuring its impact is maintained.
This work begins with an educational strategy from our institution to present the ceremonies and explain their meaning and currentness, their rhythm and formality, as well as their contemporary resonance and the values they celebrate. The goal consists of rooting combatant remembrance in the 21st century and following its developments, in keeping with the rules governing these moments of tribute, celebration and remembrance.
Using digital technologies
Digital tools and online meetings have therefore been introduced, to encourage citizen participation in the commemorations and in remembrance initiatives. First of all, digital tools were introduced for remembrance education.
The major commemorative anniversaries and national days now have their own virtual pages on the website www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr, offering documentary, audiovisual and learning resources, and inviting users to read and learn about the ceremony.
Meanwhile, in an effort to reach new audiences with the commemorations, as well as shine a light on their meaning, in 2020 some remembrance ceremonies began to be broadcast live on the Ministry of the Armed Forces’ social media platforms.
Filming and live broadcast on social media of the 70th anniversary of the UN French Battalion’s participation in the Korean War,
Paris, 18 May 2021. © Maurice Bleicher
First introduced for the ceremony of the National Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Racist and Antisemitic Crimes by the French State and in Honour of the Righteous of France, on 19 July 2020, the technique was used once again for the ceremony commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Franco-Prussian War, in Gravelotte on 30 August, then on the National Day of Remembrance of the Harkis, on 25 September.
In order to create the conditions for wider public involvement and to impact as many people as possible, the technique now looks set to be here to stay, as it is extended to other ceremonies and becomes consolidated.
The broadcast of the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the UN French Battalion’s involvement in the Korean War, on 18 May 2021, for instance, was made more dynamic and informative by a presenter’s introduction and interviews with the Korean ambassador, veterans and chairs of veterans’ organisations.
Another challenge is to ensure greater inclusion of our citizens and young people in these commemorative events. With that in mind, the Minister for Remembrance and Veterans at the Ministry of the Armed Forces launched a call for projects entitled “New ways to commemorate”. Its purpose was to support innovative, creative projects that encourage and promote a culture of involvement, and reach as many people as possible. Five winners were received at the Hôtel de Brienne, the official residence of the Minister of Defence, on 20 July 2021, whose projects will receive funding from the ministry.