Written by Vincent Billy And Thomas Hermans
Matisse’s father, who died after being stabbed several times in Châteauroux on Saturday April 27, speaks to France 3. He speaks of his son, “a super nice kid”, and waits for “justice to be done” but he rejects any political recovery, “from whatever side”.
“I hope that justice will be done, that it will not be too lax, that it will be as much as possible.“Less than three days after the death of his son, Christophe Marchais decided to speak on the microphone of France 3. This Saturday, April 27, his son Matisse, 15, died in Châteauroux from several stab wounds. suspect, also aged 15, was indicted for murder, and admitted the facts.
“I’m sorry, but even if it was a 15 year old kid, there’s no excuse for Thathe asserts, in dull anger. Going home to stab someone, especially a friend you’ve been hanging out with for a few weeks, it’s just not possible.“
The father paints the tender portrait of his son, a “super nice little kid“, “joyful and happy” and that “loved everyone“:
Matou was very popular in Châteauroux, due to the fact that we were known and that he was a very sociable little boy who had lots of friends.
Christophe Marchais, father of MatisseFrance 3 Centre-Val de Loire
As a result, signs of support (from Châteauroux and elsewhere) have multiplied since the death of Matisse. Words on social networks, but also flowers left at the site of his attack or in front of his parents’ restaurant. This Tuesday, he also received a call from the Prime Minister, Gabriel Attal. “It feels so good to know that we are supported, that these people loved Matou.“
But sometimes support and recovery can intertwine. Many right-wing and far-right politicians have in fact used Saturday’s drama to criticize French migration policy. “I don’t want people to step up – we know who’s going to do it – because [le mis en examen]it was an Afghan“, Christophe Marchais breathes, weary. “I don’t want anyone to take ownership of Matou’s death, from any side. He loved everyone, I want everyone to be like that.“
In the same burst of exasperation and despondency, he says he refuses that “people believe“to certain information,”that he would have uttered racist insults” : “Matou has been playing football for years at L’Étoile, a city club where there are a ton of children from immigrant backgrounds. I don’t see where we can say that Matou could throw racist insults.“
Three days after the tragedy, Christophe Marchais believes that “violence is everywhere, no one is safe“. And especially not the children.
This is going to sound very old-fashioned, but we have to track the kids, know where they are.
Christophe Marchais, father of MatisseFrance 3 Centre-Val de Loire
He even advocates the use “apps“tracking or geolocation. It also recommends “cut ties” of the “the first encounter that sucks“.
Almost overwhelmed by emotion, he begins to send a message to children and adolescents, as if he were speaking to his son:
Don’t lie to your parents. A parent loves his child. If he gives him advice, it’s not out of malice, it’s not to piss him off, it’s because he wants everything to go well. Children, don’t lie to your parents.
Christophe Marchais, father of MatisseFrance 3 Centre-Val de Loire
He also asks certain media to show restraint. More than annoyed, he says that a “TV channel was sluggish [devant chez lui] and wanted to interview me because they’re doing a show about teen violence. […] Let the soufflé die, damn it! How do you expect to have something concrete and meaningful when you question a father who lost his son the day before?“
Christophe Marchais is now waiting to know “the details” of the white march, which the family wishes to organize itself, certainly this Saturday, May 4. A march supervised by the police. “We are awaiting feedback from the prefecturehe explains. […] we will communicate all this as soon as we know.” “Matou was a super nice little kid, we want something that looks like him, we don’t want it to be war.“
