The Missing: The Story of the Government's Silence

France 3 Rhône-Alpes has just promoted the 2012 documentary Les Disparus: Histoire d'un silence d'état in which several Pieds-Noirs whose loved ones went missing during or after the Algerian War are interviewed. The above clip gives a sense of the mental and emotional anguish of not knowing. The Documentary is set to air on 17 November on France 3, but you can watch the entire film by Cyrille Perez and Gilles Perez at  http://provence-alpes.france3.fr/emissions/doc-24-provence-alpes/actu/les-disparus-histoire-d-un-silence-d-etat.html

6eme Salon du Savoir-Faire Pied-Noir

One of the many events I missed over the summer, yet it has been captured on video. Of note: the collectors' items from Algeria.

Monument des Rapatriés, Marseille

Monument des Rapatriés (avant)

For now, just a few photos of today's inauguration of the plaque recognizing the 600,000 Français d'Algérie who arrived in Marseille 50 years ago. It is now at the bottom of the Monument des Rapatriés, on the Corniche in Marseille.

The ceremony was short, speeches moving, singing of "Les Africains" even more so. The event was briefly disturbed by a couple of cars driving by, honking and waving Algerian flags. Attendees were upset.

Jean-Claude Gaudin, Mayor of Marseille

Upcoming commemorative events

As we come upon the fiftieth anniversary of Algerian independence and the commemoration of the exodus of the Pieds-Noirs, numerous events are in the works. One I wish I could attend, "50e anniversaire de l'exode 1962-2012 des Français et des Harkis d'Algérie" will be held at the Hôtel Atria, Nîmes 23-24 June. Among the presenters are Charly Cassan and Jean-Pierre Lledo.

In Marseille from 28-30 June, I hope to attend a few of the events scheduled for the "Commémoration à Marseille du Cinquantenaire de l'exode des Français d'Algérie." My main focus is research-oriented as I will be interviewing artists who express the unspeakable of Algeria in their work. To that end, and thanks much to Nicole Guiraud, I will be at the "Colloque sur la Transmission de la Mémoire des Français d'Algérie" (30 June-1 July) in Masseube. Follow the links for programs and registration information.