What if murals could speak? The Fernand Belino Mural stands before us a testament to a life dedicated to fighting for justice. Fernand Belino’s story is not just painted on this wall. It is etched in the very fabric of Parisian history.
Fernand Belino was born in Aubin in 1910. He was one of eleven children. His father and grandfather were miners. Fernand moved to Paris in 1924. He worked as a cafe waiter and lived with his sister in Épinay-sur-Seine.
In 1934, Fernand Belino joined the Communist Party. By 1936, he was a member of the Paris-North regional committee. From 1936 to 1938, Fernand volunteered in the Spanish Republican Army. He served as a lieutenant and later as a captain in the André Marty battalion. He was wounded three times including a serious injury in July 1937.
Returning to France Fernand became secretary of the Communist section of Épinay. He also became a member of the regional committee. His activities expanded, including a mission in European countries. In late August 1939 Fernand Belino helped print thousands of copies of the clandestine newspaper L’Humanité.
Fernand Belino was involved in the underground Communist Party early on. A key meeting was held at his home on September 27, 1939. Leaders of the PCF discussed how to operate in secrecy. Another meeting took place there on October 4 with prominent figures. Fernand was responsible for the clandestine distribution service.
In February 1940, two tons of paper arrived from Belgium. They were intended for printing the clandestine newspaper. In March, police arrested Fernand Belino. This led to the seizure of materials and the collapse of a printing shop.
Fernand Belino was imprisoned and then interned at the Gurs camp in June 1940. A military court sentenced him to four years in prison in October 1940. He was moved to several prisons. In November 1943, he was transferred to supervised detention centers. He tried to escape in January 1944. Fernand was deported to Buchenwald concentration camp on June 22, 1944.
After the war, in 1945, Fernand Belino was elected to the General Council of the Seine. He served until 1967. He then represented Épinay on the General Council of Seine-Saint-Denis. He became vice-president of the council. Fernand also served as deputy mayor of Épinay from 1965 to 1977.
In 1978, Fernand Belino became president of the Association of Volunteers in Republican Spain. He died on April 19, 1979, in Épinay-sur-Seine.
The Fernand Belino Mural serves as a powerful reminder. It honors his dedication to political activism. It commemorates his fight against oppression. Take a moment to reflect on Fernand Belino’s life and legacy. Consider the courage it took to stand up for one’s beliefs. His story remains relevant today. It urges us to fight for a more just and equitable world.