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NEW DELHI: French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday will commemorate the 80th anniversary of a tragic event that took place during World War II. Back in April 1944, Nazi forces conducted a raid on a Jewish orphanage located in the village of Izieu in southeastern France.
The orphanage was home to 44 Jewish children aged four to 12, along with seven Jewish instructors.The Gestapo, under the orders of Klaus Barbie, also known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” rounded up the children and instructors during the raid.
Barbie, a notorious Nazi, fled to South America after the war but was later extradited to France in 1983. In 1987, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes against humanity and passed away in prison in 1991. The children and instructors from the Izieu orphanage were deported to death camps in Poland and Estonia, with only one instructor managing to survive.
The orphanage, founded by Sabine Zlatin, a Jewish resistance fighter, provided a safe haven for around 100 children whose parents had been deported. Until the raid in April 1944, the children led a peaceful life at the orphanage, attending school and enjoying moments of normalcy despite the looming danger.
Several former residents of the orphanage, including Bernard Waysenson, will be part of the commemorations marking this solemn occasion. Waysenson emphasized the importance of survival during those dark times. The event aims to honor those who bravely stood against Nazism and those who ensured justice was served, such as bringing Klaus Barbie to trial.
President Macron will also visit the mountain plateau of Glieres, a significant site for the French resistance against Nazi occupation. In early 1944, Glieres served as a gathering point for resistance fighters who were preparing for the Allied landings in France. However, in March of that year, the German army launched an attack, resulting in casualties and prisoners among the resistance fighters.
These commemorations are part of a series of events marking significant milestones of World War II, culminating in the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in June. Leaders from around the world are expected to participate in these ceremonies, which will also pay tribute to the liberation of Paris from Nazi control in 1944.
The memories of these events serve as a reminder of the courage and sacrifices made during a dark period in history, highlighting the importance of remembrance and honoring those who fought against tyranny.
(With inputs from agencies)
The orphanage was home to 44 Jewish children aged four to 12, along with seven Jewish instructors.The Gestapo, under the orders of Klaus Barbie, also known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” rounded up the children and instructors during the raid.
Barbie, a notorious Nazi, fled to South America after the war but was later extradited to France in 1983. In 1987, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for his crimes against humanity and passed away in prison in 1991. The children and instructors from the Izieu orphanage were deported to death camps in Poland and Estonia, with only one instructor managing to survive.
The orphanage, founded by Sabine Zlatin, a Jewish resistance fighter, provided a safe haven for around 100 children whose parents had been deported. Until the raid in April 1944, the children led a peaceful life at the orphanage, attending school and enjoying moments of normalcy despite the looming danger.
Several former residents of the orphanage, including Bernard Waysenson, will be part of the commemorations marking this solemn occasion. Waysenson emphasized the importance of survival during those dark times. The event aims to honor those who bravely stood against Nazism and those who ensured justice was served, such as bringing Klaus Barbie to trial.
President Macron will also visit the mountain plateau of Glieres, a significant site for the French resistance against Nazi occupation. In early 1944, Glieres served as a gathering point for resistance fighters who were preparing for the Allied landings in France. However, in March of that year, the German army launched an attack, resulting in casualties and prisoners among the resistance fighters.
These commemorations are part of a series of events marking significant milestones of World War II, culminating in the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in June. Leaders from around the world are expected to participate in these ceremonies, which will also pay tribute to the liberation of Paris from Nazi control in 1944.
The memories of these events serve as a reminder of the courage and sacrifices made during a dark period in history, highlighting the importance of remembrance and honoring those who fought against tyranny.
(With inputs from agencies)
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