Updated on 13/11/2024
From November 26 to 29, 2024, the Flame of Memory will travel through Finistère. This initiative led by thein the Prefecture of Finistère, the Department and the Armies is part of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. Its aim is to raise awareness and mobilize the public, and particularly young people, around the importance of the duty to remember, as well as to pay tribute to the women and men who fell for France.
For the first time this year, the Prefecture of Finistère, the Department and the Armed Forces wanted to organize a Flame of Memory trail in order to mobilize Finistère residents around the duty to remember. This event, particularly aimed at young people, aims to raise awareness of the duty to remember and to transmit to them the republican values defended by those who fought for the Nation.
Imagined as an event which could become an annual meeting, this first edition takes on a particular character with the 80e anniversary of the Liberation.
6 ITINERARIES in FINISTÈRE
The journey of the Flame of Memory will begin in Paris, on November 22, 2024, during a ceremony under the Arc de Triomphe where the Flame will be taken from the tomb of the unknown soldier by around thirty college students from the different territories of Finistère and coming from public and private colleges. The Flame will then reach Finistère thanks to a cycling relay carried out by a team of soldiers.
Once on Finistère territory, 6 emanations of the Flame will join the 6 starting points (Ploudalmézeau, Kerlouan, Saint-Pol-de-Léon, Saint-Goazec, Quimperlé, Quimper) from where they will begin their respective journeys before converging all towards the tip of Pen Hir in Camaret-sur-Mer, their place of arrival for a final ceremony. Throughout these stages, ceremonies and educational activities will be put in place with the schools and communities visited. The Torch relay will be carried out by military units.
A SYMBOLIC RELAY TO REINFORCE THE DUTY OF MEMORY
On November 29, the last day of this relay, a major ceremony will be organized at the tip of Pen Hir. More than 600 young Finisterians will participate and walk to the Monument to the Bretons of Free France where the Flame will be placed.
“This year we are commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. The Flame of Memory, which will travel through around thirty municipalities in Finistère, is the symbol of the sacrifice of all those who gave their lives so that we live in a free country. Let us remember, on the occasion of this unprecedented journey, aimed at youth, the ideals and principles for which they fought with courage and self-sacrifice. Let us embody, together, the values of cohesion and national pride. Let us reaffirm the power of commitment and unity in the face of trials. » Alain ESPINASSE, Prefect of Finistère.
“The Department of Finistère wanted to initiate this journey of the Flame of Memory with the Prefecture and the Armed Forces to pay tribute to our veterans and those who died for France, indicates Maël DE CALAN, President of the Department. This commitment also aims to instill in young Finisterians a keen awareness of the duty to remember, develop their knowledge of our History and create a deep attachment to our Nation. By organizing this event, we remind everyone that this hard-won freedom obliges us and that we must remain its vigilant guardians.”
“From the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, 20 sailors will set off by bike to carry the Flame of Memory to Finistère. Throughout the route, around a hundred soldiers, sailors, airmen and gendarmes will accompany the Flame through all the ceremonial sites to demonstrate their commitment and will ensure its guarding from November 26 to 29. They will be present in large numbers for the final ceremony in Pen-Hir, a highlight which I will have the honor of attending. » Jean-François QUERAT, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic.
