Friday 13 – Sunday 15 September
On Sunday, from the French side of the mountains, the Marche will leave from le Boréon to meet the Italians at the col de Cerise.
[We had hoped that the Marche would take place at the col de Fenestre, but because the road leading to the Madone de Fenestre will not be reopened in 2024, due to flood damage, the route had to be changed.]
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.
Events are free of charge, except for meals which are chargeable and must be booked in advance. Please email your request to marchedelamemoire@gmail.com.
If you are attending the weekend, please complete this questionnaire:
Programme
Friday 13 September
| 15:00 | Unveiling of four “stumbling blocks” (Stolpersteine) in memory of the Jewish Dridso-Levin family who had their permanent residence in Saint Martin Vésubie before the outbreak of war. Mario Levin, grandson of Grégoire Dridso who was deported, will be present and speeches will be given in memory of the family and the history of the Jews of Saint Martin Vésubie. Location: along the the Chemin de Berthemont, by the steps leading down to the Chemin du Puey (signpost 339). About 20 minutes walk from the centre of the village. See map. From the village, at the end of Place du Général de Gaulle, take the pedestrian road Rue du Dr Cagnoli which goes up to signpost 60. Then fork right and continue along the small asphalt road (signpost 77) called “Chemin de Berthemont” to signpost 337, then continue along the same road to the next signpost 339. The ceremony will take place on the right, at the top of Chemin du Puey. |
| 19:30 – 22:00 | Shabbat evening dinner, in Salle Jean Gabin. Bookings have closed. Location: at the end of the square with the main bus stop, the Place de la Gare. |
Saturday 14 September
| 10:30 – 12:00 | Walking tour of Saint Martin Vésubie. Meet by the Tourist Office. |
| 15:00 – 17:00 | Talks in the Mediathèque (library) of Saint Martin Vésubie: – “Why were the Jews of Saint-Martin-Vésubie hunted down?” by Eric Gili, history-geography teacher and researcher. – “The Jews in the Alpes-Maritimes, 1939-1945” by Noël André, friend of the Musée de la Résistance Azuréenne. – “From Russia to Saint-Martin-Vésubie – Who were the Dridso family”, the history of Mario Dridso-Levin’s maternal family, by Annette Stock, ethnologist. – “In the footsteps of my family during the war: from Paris to Saint-Jean-la-Rivière”, by a journalist and great-granddaughter of a deportee. |
| 19.00 – 21.30 | In the Salle Jean Gabin. The evening will start with Mario Levin and Annette Stock telling us about the story behind their project to inaugurate Stolpersteine memorials near the old home of Mario’s family in Saint Martin Vésubie and why they wanted to do this. After this (and before 20.00) you have the option of staying in the hall for an informal bring-your-own picnic dinner or going independently to a restaurant in the village. In the hall, if you stay, we will sit around the tables having a chance to meet and talk. Note: If you stay and eat, please make sure to buy or make what you want to eat. |
Sunday 15 September
Make sure you are prepared for a walk with 1050m height difference, reaching 2550m, and possible bad weather.
For those unable to participate in the climb
an alternative programme is planned in Saint Martin Vésubie.
Meet at 9.30 in the bookshop, la Vagabonde, for coffee.
11.15 We walk from la Vagabonde bookshop along the Chemin de Berthemont to the new Stolpersteine memorials. (An easy 20 minutes walk.)
15.30 Showing of film L’Ennemi Fraternel (“The Righteous Enemy”) by Joseph Rochlitz in the Salle Jean Gabin.
| 07:30 | Meet outside the welcome chalet at le Boréon (Parc Alpha, D89 Chalet d’accueil du Boréon, 06450 Saint-Martin-Vésubie. See Google Maps), before starting the climb to the Col de Cerise. A group may start at 07:00, to allow more time for slower walkers. |
| 12:00 | Meet the walkers from the Italian side at the Col de Cerise 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 Jews who were deported, in the presence of Ivan Mottet, Mayor of Saint Martin Vésubie and a representative from Yad Vashem Nice Côte d’Azur. The names of those deported will be read. |
| 18:30 | Refreshments in the Town Hall, offered by the Municipality. |
(Note that the last bus to Nice leaves at 6.30pm, after which those without transport will have to spend the night at SMV)
