Didn’t the Nazis devastate Europe? Here stands the Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme. It is a testament to the resilience of Ivry-sur-Seine. The Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme serves as a stark reminder of the horrors. It honors those who perished under Nazi oppression.
This Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme in Ivry-sur-Seine stands in Parc Maurice Thorez. It is dedicated to the memory of Ivry residents. They were victims of fascism and Nazism. They died for France, liberty, peace, and amity.
Inaugurated on April 10 1988 it followed a departmental congress. The FNDIRP, a national federation, erected this monument. It is made of rough granite.
Around the Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme are several plaques. One is dedicated to the heroic fighters of the Warsaw Ghetto. These people were victims of Nazi barbarity. This plaque was placed in 1978. Another plaque commemorates 51 Ivry residents. Twenty-one of them were children. They were murdered by Nazis at Auschwitz. This plaque was placed by the FNDIRP around 1986. A third plaque honors Jewish families. They were victims of the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup. This was added in July 2002.
On January 31, a new plaque was unveiled. It commemorates the genocide of the Roma. This was placed alongside other plaques. They honor victims of Nazism at the Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme.
The ceremony commemorated the liberation of Auschwitz camps. It was part of a week. This week was dedicated to remembering the genocide. It included Jews and Roma. It aimed to prevent crimes against humanity. It fought against racism and intolerance.
The Nazis targeted Roma people. Between 40% and 90% of Roma families disappeared in Europe. Nearly all Roma living in Germany and Austria were decimated. Approximately 500000 people perished.
The Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme includes a plaque for those. They died so that France might live. It is placed at the Cité de l’Insurrection entrance. The plaque commemorates Ivry residents from across the town. It honors victims from the entire war period. It is not just from August 1944.
The original plaque was placed in the 1960s. Vandalized in 2003 it was replaced. The new plaque retains the original text and errors. Among those listed as “shot” are four Ivry residents. They died in deportation. These were Auguste and Marguerite Deshaies. Their son Jacques and Alexis Chaussinand also perished. These deportees lived in the cité. Marcel Lamant is listed as “died in combat”. He was executed at Mont-Valérien in 1942. Several who were shot are missing. These include Ivry members of the Manouchian group. Celestino Alfonso Roger Rouxel and Wolf Wajsbrot are among them.
The Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme is complemented by a flower box. It bears the emblem. It is from the national federation of deportees and internees. They were resistants and patriots.
The Mémorial aux ivryens victimes du nazisme is more than stone and metal. It is a place for reflection. It is a place to remember. It is a place to ensure such horrors never happen again. Remember the past so we can protect the future.