Remembrance Day, 11th November 2014

11th November is always a bank holiday in France. We remember the end of World War One. In every town and village, there is a civil ceremony at the war memorial. I never used to go to the ceremony but in recent years, I’ve made a point to be there with the family.
I was impressed by the number of people who had turned up in Cognin on Tuesday. There were between 200 and 300 people I would say, maybe a bit more. The ceremonies are the same everywhere, but there is one thing I noticed. A choice sang the Savoy national anthem “les Allobroges”. I had never heard it before. I don’t recall hearing the Bro Gozh in Brittany though. Why is that? I wonder.
Anyway, it was a good ceremony. Jean-Baptiste and Maxime took part and put candles at the feet of the monument when asked. The ceremony was followed by an aperitif. It was an opportunity to chat with the school headmistress and get to know her better.

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