They are CE2 pupils at the Marcel-Raimbault school in Ambillou, in Karine Dupic’s class, and already have the makings of adults after taking part in the “Little Artists of Memory” competition organised by the National Office for Combatants and Victims of the Great War (ONaCVG), reserved for CM1 and CM2 pupils.
“Last fall, I presented the Great War exhibition to children, who were very interested in it. »comments Jean-Yves Boccage, president of the Ambillou veterans.
From their interpretation of The Song of Craonne (sung by the soldiers in 1917) during the commemoration of November 11, the young artists and their mistress continued their work: “We carried out research on the poilus and chose to tell the story of the life of Louis Edmond Houry, from Ambellous.”
The students asked their questions
Monday June 24, 2024, in front of Anne Degrieck, director of ONaCVG, the departmental vice-presidents of veterans and victims of war of Indre-et-Loire, the Academic Director and his deputy, the deputy departmental military delegate, the children took turns questioning the personalities on their motivation for engagement, the equipment, the wars waged and their duration: “Have you seen any broken faces?”
Aviator, rifleman or mine clearer, all agree on the sadness of killing people: « It leaves a lasting impression on you for life. » From the refusal to go on leave to avoid the difficulty of departure. “Have you lost friends, how did you react? ? », ask the students. After a moment of silence, the former land and air servicemen answer: « It’s very difficult, like telling the families. » « We are at their side »says Anne Degrieck, reporting on the support offered by ONaCVG. The children insist on the speed of the mission departure: « It must be hard on the family ? » But if the day of reunion is joyful, « we have difficulty living daily life and keep reflexes ground ».
“A high-quality work of memory”
After the exchanges, the notebook unfolds on the big screen, through a film edited for the occasion. The poetry is heard through the voices of the children with If I died there by Guillaume Apollinaire. The writings on aged paper, then the oral story reveal the mobilization of the fighter until his exhaustion in 1917 under the song of Craonne.
Before presenting each participant with their departmental prize diploma and books, the applause of the personalities resounded in the class. « This is a work of memory of great quality that you have produced.
Contact ONaCVG : 02.47.05.46.75 ; site onac-vg.fr ; courriel : [email protected]
