French schools to remember WW2 resistance heroes
PARIS, Aug 29 (Reuters) French high schools will remember young European heroes of the resistance against Nazi Germany every October 22, after a plan to commemorate a fallen French teen was expanded to avoid criticism it was too nationalistic.
Education Minister Xavier Darcos announced the details today, which followed up on President Nicolas Sarkozy's inauguration-day pledge that 16-year-old resistance member Guy Moquet's letter to his parents before his execution by Nazis would be read to pupils across France.
Moquet's letter begins with the words: ''My darling mum, my little brother I adore, my beloved dad, I am going to die!'' before telling his mother to be brave and saying he hopes his death will have been of some use.
Some teachers had criticised the idea out of fear it would stir anti-German sentiment among impressionable youths.
But Darcos said the idea went beyond nationalism.
''It is not about doing something stupidly jingoistic and patriotic. It is about talking about youth revolting against tyranny in general,'' Darcos told a news conference.
The list of those who will be remembered each year will now include Germany's Sophie Scholl, who was arrested and executed for distributing anti-Nazi leaflets, and Italian Guido Brancadoro, shot at the age of 21 for belonging to the resistance.
Several texts, including Moquet's last letter and information on Scholl's ''White Rose'' movement, would be distributed to pupils, Darcos said, adding that the literature would also cover French collaboration with the Nazis.
The one-day event will be held on October 22, the day Moquet was executed by firing squad in 1941.
Celebrities, members of parliament, former resistance members, and sports stars will also be asked to read to pupils as part of the event.
Reuters
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