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Here is a more concise format of a few minutes, during which we will closely examine world news in relation to History and the work of memory, thus allowing us to realize the impact of the past whose repercussions persist in our contemporary society.
In each episode, we will explore how past historical events continue to influence current social, political, and cultural dynamics on a global scale. By exploring these connections between the past and the present, we will attempt to understand how history continues to shape our modern world, providing an illuminating perspective on the timeless connections between past events and contemporary issues.
Discover the episodes of this sound collection
June 20, 2023 - World Refugee Day
Today, we mark 20 June 2023, World Refugee Day, an important occasion to honour the strength and courage of those who have been forced to leave their home countries to escape devastating conflicts or inhumane persecution. On this significant day, it is essential to emphasise that every individual, everywhere, has the fundamental right to safety.
The alarming statistics of 2021 have revealed a poignant reality: every minute that passes, 20 people around the world are forced to abandon everything they know to escape the ravages of war, relentless persecution or oppressive terror.
On Memento, I would like to share with you today some recommendations that encompass audiovisual, radio and literary media. These resources will help you better understand the living, survival, travel and adaptation conditions of refugees around the world.
Ces quelques recommendations nous offre une première porte d'entrée vers une réalité parfois très éloignée de la nôtre, mais pourtant essentielle à appréhender. Nous pourrons ainsi développer une empathie plus profonde envers les défis auxquels sont confrontées les personnes déplacées, et donc contribuer à sensibiliser davantage à la nécessité d'assurer la dignité, la sécurité et les droits fondamentaux de chaque être humain, indépendamment de son lieu d'origine.
Oppenheimer's Forgotten Ones, Following the Release of Christopher Nolan's Film
On the occasion of the release of Christopher Nolan's new film in July 2023 in France, I invite you in this episode to delve into the shadow of one of the most secret and influential projects of the 20th century: the Manhattan Project. However, instead of focusing on the famous names and emblematic faces of this historical event, we will turn our attention to those who were relegated to the background of this period, Oppenheimer's forgotten people.
Behind these images of renowned scientists, groundbreaking discoveries, and the atomic age lies a group of people whose contributions to the Manhattan Project have been largely unrecognized, if not overlooked. These individuals include local workers, lesser-known scientists, New Mexico residents, and members of indigenous communities whose stories have often been overshadowed by dominant narratives.
It is important to note that the Manhattan Project, launched during World War II to develop the first atomic bomb, involved thousands of people with diverse talents. Local workers toiled in harsh conditions, often at risk of harm to their health, but their vital contributions are rarely, if ever, recognized. Similarly, lesser-known but equally dedicated scientists contributed their skills and innovative ideas. By uncovering these lesser-known aspects of the Manhattan Project, we can gain a fuller and more nuanced perspective on this major event of the 20th century, while honoring the memory of those who have been unjustly relegated to the background of history.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- Universal declaration of human rights
As the world news fills with tragedy, with many places devastated and innocent civilians losing their lives, and entire communities remain invisible, struggling for survival in the face of inhuman oppression, it is essential to return to a fundamental text for humanity. A text that transcends linguistic and cultural barriers to proclaim the rights and freedoms inherent to all human beings: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
This declaration, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, embodies the universal ideals of equality, justice and human dignity.
Yet today its essence seems to be fading as cruelly inhumane acts unfold before our eyes, crushing the values enshrined in this founding text.
In a world where suffering sometimes seems to take over, it is imperative to recall the principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This declaration recognizes the intrinsic worth of each individual, affirming that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. It clearly states that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
In the face of current tragedies, it is imperative that the global community reaffirm its commitment to these universal principles and work collectively to end oppression, injustice and violence. Building on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we can aspire to a world where human dignity is respected, equality and justice prevail, and every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights without fear or discrimination. It is by reaffirming these values that we can build a more just and humane future for all.
Guernica, officially a place of remembrance
In this episode, I share with you a major news story in Spain that marks a significant step forward in the work around the duty to remember the civil war under Franco: Guernica was officially designated this year as a “place of memory”.
This decision is part of a new law that recognizes the rights of victims and their families to truth, justice and reparation. The text aims to identify all victims, whether they were killed, imprisoned, persecuted or exiled, and to grant them official recognition. A significant advance in this legislation is its ban on symbols, street names and monuments glorifying the Franco regime. It also encourages the installation of commemorative plaques specifically honoring victims of the civil war and the dictatorship. The law also provides for the creation of a High Commission for Democratic Memory, an entity responsible for coordinating activities related to the recognition and promotion of democratic memory. In addition, it encourages the implementation of educational programs aimed at raising awareness among younger generations about this crucial period in Spanish history.
In addition to these initiatives, the law includes reparation measures for victims and their families, ranging from access to legal assistance to documentation and archives, as well as medical and psychological assistance programs. These provisions underline the commitment to fully recognize the suffering suffered by the victims of this dark period in Spanish history and to work actively towards reconciliation and the preservation of democratic memory.
November 16, 2023 - World Day for Tolerance
On this day of November 16, 2023, marking the International Day for Tolerance, it seemed important to me to dedicate a podcast episode to the promotion of respect, cultural diversity, mutual acceptance and peaceful coexistence. The aim is to raise awareness of the fundamental values of tolerance and to resolutely fight against intolerance, discrimination and violence related to aspects such as religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and other differences.
On Memento, I would like to share some audiovisual, radio and literary recommendations. These works invite a deep reflection on the value of tolerance, the celebration of diversity and the promotion of peace. Between each suggestion, you will have the opportunity to hear some excerpts from Voltaire's famous "Treatise on Tolerance" , published in 1763. Voltaire's Treatise on Tolerance remains a timeless literary pillar, emphasizing the importance of accepting and respecting the beliefs and differences of others.
Voltaire upholds the fundamental principle of peaceful coexistence despite differences in beliefs. By immersing ourselves in these cultural recommendations, we aspire to strengthen our understanding of tolerance and encourage open and inclusive discussions. It is by embracing diversity and rejecting all forms of intolerance that we contribute to building a world where every individual can live in mutual respect, understanding and peace.
January 27, 2024 - Day of Remembrance of Genocides and Prevention of Crimes against Humanity
En ce 27 janvier 2024, nous commémorons le 79e anniversaire de la libération du camp d'Auschwitz-Birkenau, une journée dédiée à la mémoire des millions de victimes de l'Holocauste. Cette date symbolique nous rappelle l'horreur incommensurable vécue par des millions de personnes, notamment des Juifs, mais également des Roms, des personnes en situation de handicap, des personnes homosexuelles et d'autres groupes minoritaires, déportées, torturées et exterminées par le régime nazi. C'est un moment pour se souvenir, honorer la mémoire des défunts et réaffirmer notre engagement envers la justice, la tolérance et la préservation des droits de l'homme.
On this momentous day, we renew our commitment to share the harrowing stories of survivors and to teach the lessons of the Holocaust in order to prevent all forms of discrimination, hatred and violence in our contemporary world. This historic tragedy reminds us of the crucial importance of never forgetting past atrocities and of working collectively to preserve human dignity. Let us take this sad occasion to recall the profound words of Elie Wiesel, writer, philosopher and Holocaust survivor, delivered at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz in 1995. His words resonate powerfully and guide us in reflecting on the meaning of indifference, the duty to remember and the need to prevent forgetting. Wiesel, as a direct witness to the Holocaust, underlines the vital importance of preserving memory to prevent such events from happening again. His words remain an inspiration to remind us of our collective responsibility to justice and humanity.
October 17, 1961 - The National Assembly adopted a motion for a resolution condemning the massacre
October 17, 1961 remains a tragic, often forgotten date in Franco-Algerian history. On that day, thousands of Algerians, accompanied by their families, gathered peacefully in the streets of Paris to protest a discriminatory curfew imposed by police prefect Maurice Papon, with the support of the French government at the time. Organized by the National Liberation Front (FLN), this demonstration aimed to denounce the injustice and discrimination suffered by Algerians in France.
The response of the French authorities was extremely brutal. The police forces violently repressed the demonstrators, opening fire and resulting in the deaths of many Algerians.
Nearly fifteen thousand people were arrested, detained in inhumane conditions, tortured, and some were murdered. Credible estimates put the death toll at nearly three hundred. For decades, this tragedy was hidden, kept in oblivion by official silence and lack of recognition. However, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, the French National Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution condemning the massacre of October 17, 1961. Although symbolic, this decision represents a crucial gesture towards the recognition of this dark page in Franco-Algerian history.
July 11, 1995 - The UN proclaimed July 11 as an international day of remembrance of the Srebrenica genocide.
On 11 July 1995, three years into the intercommunal conflict in Bosnia, Bosnian Serb forces under the command of General Ratko Mladić captured the town of Srebrenica, a place that the United Nations had declared a "safe area". What followed was one of the worst atrocities committed in Europe since World War II: approximately 8,000 Muslim men and boys were systematically executed, while nearly 30,000 women, children, and the elderly were expelled in a massive ethnic cleansing operation, a war crime of tragic proportions.
À l'approche du 30e anniversaire de cette tragédie, les Nations Unies ont proclamé le 11 juillet comme la "Journée internationale de réflexion et de commémoration du génocide de Srebrenica en 1995". Cette résolution, adoptée le 23 mai 2024, condamne fermement toute tentative de nier l'historicité du génocide ainsi que les actes qui glorifient les responsables de ces crimes. Bien que cette initiative ait suscité la colère de Belgrade et du dirigeant des Serbes de Bosnie, elle vise à encourager la réconciliation et à prévenir la répétition de tels crimes.
October 17, 1961 - The National Assembly adopted a motion for a resolution condemning the massacre
October 17, 1961 remains a tragic, often forgotten date in Franco-Algerian history. On that day, thousands of Algerians, accompanied by their families, gathered peacefully in the streets of Paris to protest a discriminatory curfew imposed by police prefect Maurice Papon, with the support of the French government at the time. Organized by the National Liberation Front (FLN), this demonstration aimed to denounce the injustice and discrimination suffered by Algerians in France.
The response of the French authorities was extremely brutal. The police forces violently repressed the demonstrators, opening fire and resulting in the deaths of many Algerians.
Nearly fifteen thousand people were arrested, detained in inhumane conditions, tortured, and some were murdered. Credible estimates put the death toll at nearly three hundred. For decades, this tragedy was hidden, kept in oblivion by official silence and lack of recognition. However, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, the French National Assembly took a historic step by adopting a resolution condemning the massacre of October 17, 1961. Although symbolic, this decision represents a crucial gesture towards the recognition of this dark page in Franco-Algerian history.