(That’s communism - not that other C-word)

Today, French schools held their first of what Nicolas Sarkozy hopes will become an annual commemoration of Guy Moquet, with teachers reading a letter which the hero of the Resistance wrote on the eve of his death by firing squad on 22 October 1941, aged 17.

But the inauguration of this day of remembrance for a figure whose name features on street and school names throughout France hasn’t been entirely welcomed. Marie George Buffet, leader of the communist party, spoke of a politicisation of history, accusing the (right wing) Government of stripping Mocquet’s letter of it’s context, and of brushing his political beleifs under the carpet.

Views seem to differ on how successful the remembrance has been, with many ministers visiting schools with ex resistance fighters in tow to read the letter themselves, the Government esteems that 98% of students will have heard the letter. The Teacher’s union, however disputes this.

Here are some locals views on things:

Liberation (left-wing)

Le Parisen (right-wing)

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