Creuse: tribute from college students to the 206 deported Jews

Middle school students move in front of the “wall of names” in Guéret which pays tribute to the deported Jews

By Lucie Amadieu

Students from the Saint-Vaury college went this Friday, December 6, to the “wall of names” in Guéret. This monument pays tribute to the 206 Jewish people who were deported from Creuse to deportation camps during the Second World War.

Around twenty students came to see the “wall of names” in Guéret. © Radio France – Lucie Amadieu

Around twenty students from the Louis Durand college in Saint-Vaury left their classroom this Friday, December 6, to go to Guéret in front of the “wall of names”.

On this monument, the names of the 206 Jews deported from Creuse to the extermination camps during the Second World War are engraved.

“We see that there were many Jews who were killed,” points out Lilou, a 15-year-old student. Of the 206 Jewish people deported, only 15 returned alive. “It’s sad to see all these people, it does something to me,” indicates Erwan, a friend in this 3rd grade class. Not all students are equally sensitive to this monument. “ Personally it doesn’t do much for me because I didn’t know it and it’s a long time ago”says Thomas.

The “wall of names” is located rue Hubert Gaudriot in Guéret. © Radio France – Lucie Amadieu

To arouse the interest of young people, the Creuse historian Christophe Moreigne tells them the story of certain deported Jews.

“Little Albert, two years old, was arrested in La Chapelle-Baloue in August 1942 with his sister Hélène, aged 5, and their mother Natla”.

Stories that will inevitably touch adolescents one day, the historian believes. “These are little seeds that are sown for the future. It is obvious that the period of the Second World War must speak very little to them, it is prehistory for them. But this visit gives them information and later, it can arouse interest especially as they work in class. »
It was the French teacher, Virginie Lebon, who wanted to bring these young people here after attending the inauguration of the “wall of names” in July 2024.

“I find it difficult to get the students to feel the horror of what happened and then I want to make them react because I think they will not be insensitive to what happened. happened.”

After the visit, the students will continue to work in class on the Second World War. They will have to write texts before a reading planned at the Saint-Vaury village hall at the end of the school year according to their teacher.

Lucie Amadieu

JForum.fr with www.francebleu.fr