“Student remember yourself.” This is the inscription on the commemorative plaque for Gilbert Dru. We stand before Collège Gilbert Dru in Lyon. It bears the name of a man who stood for something. Who gave everything for his beliefs.
Gilbert Dru was born in 1920. He was a Lyon native. Dru was a student during World War II. He became a key voice in the journal Les Cahiers de Notre Jeunesse. He skillfully wrote about serious topics. He managed to avoid censorship.
By autumn 1943 Gilbert Dru fully committed himself to the resistance. His intellect and strong convictions made him an example. He is a figure for future republics.
Gilbert Dru’s story is one of courage. It is a story of sacrifice. He was arrested in July 1944. The Gestapo interrogated and tortured him. Gilbert Dru was murdered. He was killed on Place Bellecour. This is the very spot where the “stone watchman” now stands.
Even in death Gilbert Dru’s spirit was not extinguished. Louis Aragon immortalized him. He dedicated the poem “La Rose et le Réséda” to Dru and three other resistance fighters.
Collège Gilbert Dru opened on September 8 2005. It was named in honor of this young Lyonnais hero. In its first year the Collège Gilbert Dru welcomed 306 students. Today it educates over 720 pupils. The Collège Gilbert Dru reflects the values of its namesake. The values are intelligence conviction and service to others.
Collège Gilbert Dru also has a specialized unit. It is called ULIS-collège. This unit supports 11 students with specific learning needs. This ensures an inclusive learning environment at Collège Gilbert Dru.
Gilbert Dru’s legacy lives on. It lives on in the halls of this college. He inspires students to be courageous. He encourages students to be thoughtful. He encourages them to stand up for what they believe in. The Collège Gilbert Dru is more than just a school. It is a place of learning and a monument to a local hero.