Here is the programme of activities in Saint Martin Vésubie for the weekend of the Marche de la Mémoire 2023, from Friday 1 September to Sunday 3 September 2023.
September this year is the 80th anniversary of the flight of the Jews into Piedmont, Italy, so come and share the commemorative event with us!
The activities will take place in Saint Martin Vésubie, with the exception of the Marche de la Mémoire, which will start higher up the valley in le Boréon.
Meals are chargeable and must be booked in advance. Please email your request to marchedelamemoire@gmail.com.
If you wish to come to the events over the weekend, please email marchedelamemoire@gmail.com.
We will then contact you to discuss the details.
Friday 1 September 2023
| 20:00 – 22:00 | Shabbat evening dinner, in Salle Jean Gabin (1 on on map below), open to the public. Reservations can no longer be made. |
Saturday 2 September 2023
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Walking tour of Saint Martin Vésubie. Meet by the Tourist Office. (2 on map below) Free of charge. |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Possibility of lunch. Reservations can no longer be made. |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | Talks in the Mediathèque (library) of Saint Martin Vésubie. (3 on map below) Free of charge. – Eric Gili, teacher and local historian: “Who were the ‘Jews of Saint Martin Vésubie’? – Jean-Louis Panicacci, historian and specialist in the Second World War in the Alpes-Maritimes: “Forced residence for foreign Jews in the French Alps”. – Evelyne German, author of Mamie Blue, the story of her Jewish mother during the war, partly in Saint Martin Vésubie, on her research. – Annette Stock in discussion with Mario Levin, son of an Italian officer and a Jewish woman from Saint Martin Vésubie. |
| 17:30 – 19:00 | Possibility of a simple buffet dinner. Reservations can no longer be made. |
| 19.00 – 21.30 | Screening of the film 1943 – Le temps d’un répit… on the Jews of Saint Martin Vésubie by André Waksman, followed by a discussion with the director (by video), other survivors and their families, on remembering the history. In the Town Hall, in the council room on the first floor. Free of charge. |
Sunday 3 September 2023
Make sure you are prepared for a long 1050m climb up to 2550m and possible bad weather.
For those unable to participate in the climb an alternative programme is planned in Saint Martin Vésubie.
| 07:30 | Meet outside the welcome chalet at le Boréon (“Chalet d’accueil du Boréon”), before starting the climb to the Col de Cerise. Note that a group is starting at 07:00, to allow more time for slower walkers. |
| 12:00 | Meet the walkers from the Italian side at the pass. Followed by talks, singing and blowing of the shofar. |
| 13:30 | Commence the descent back to le Boréon. |
| 17:30 | Ceremony in Saint Martin Vésubie by the memorials to the Righteous Among the Nations and to the Deported to commemorate the 8oth anniversary of the flight of the Jewish refugees, in the presence of Ivan Mottet, Mayor of Saint Martin Vésubie and Daniel Wancier, President of Yad Vashem Nice Côte d’Azur. The names of those deported will be read. (4 on map below) |
| 18:30 | Refreshments in the Town Hall, offered by the Municipality. (5 on map below, on the 1st floor) |
(Note that the last bus to Nice leaves at 6.30pm, after which those without a car will have to spend the night at SMV).
