“A street named after a forgotten hero?”. That’s what some people might think about Rue Martelet. You see, this street is named after Jules Martelet, a Communard. Jules was a glass painter from a small village who answered the call of duty during the Franco-Prussian War. He joined the National Guard and eventually became a member of the Paris Commune. Now, the Commune may be a controversial chapter in French history, but for people like Jules, it was about fighting for a better society. During the Commune’s brief existence, Jules served as an administrator, displaying honesty and competence. When the government forces crushed the uprising in the bloody week known as “La Semaine Sanglante”, Jules fought bravely until the very end. While many of his comrades met tragic fates, Jules managed to escape the repression. He sought refuge in Switzerland, Belgium, and England, living under the shadow of a deportation sentence. It wasn’t until the amnesty of 1880 that Jules was finally able to return to France. But even after his return, he never forgot the ideals that fueled the Commune. He remained a staunch supporter until his last breath, active in organizations that kept the memory of the Commune alive.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to