Dr Keren Chiaroni, a senior lecturer in Victoria’s School of Languages and Cultures, is guest speaker at the Wellington Alliance commemoration of the liberation of Paris on 25 August, 1944.
“This is the day when, after years of occupation, the people rose up with strikes and barricades, and joined the Resistance in spirited street fighting,” says Dr Chiaroni.
“It’s also the day General von Choltitz disobeyed Hitler’s command to destroy the city and raze it to the ground.”
Dr Chiaroni has already written one book on France and the Second World War, linked to French civilian aid given to New Zealand airmen, and is currently completing a second book on the life of Madeleine Riffaud, one of the last witnesses of, and participants in, the Liberation of Paris in August 1944.
“After her release from prison in August, (she had shot a German officer) Madeleine led an ambush on a train attempting to leave Paris and arrested the 80 German soldiers in the escape party.
“She also led her men in the St Just company, a French resistance group, in the attack on Hermann Goering’s headquarters in Paris’ place de la République. This was one of the last major battles in the city in 1944.”
Dr Chiaroni’s talk will present some of the unique aspects of the action in August 1944, including reference to an original resistance map showing the battle plans for the siege of Goering’s Headquarters; and reference to the Allied currency that had already been printed for use in the city at the end of the war.
It will also show historic footage of the event and include little-known anecdotes about some of the people involved in it.
Dr Chiaroni says commemorating this event is very important in France.
“Ceremonies and events have been in full swing since June 6, the date of the Allied landing in Normandy in 1944; including exhibitions, commemorative ceremonies involving government representatives from all the different countries involved, media coverage and extensive special programming on TV and radio.
“I’m looking forward to remembering this important day here in Wellington.”
What: Commemoration of the liberation of Paris
When: Monday 25 August, 6pm
Where: Alliance Française Wellington, Dominion Building, Level 3, 78 Victoria Street, Wellington
RSVP: To RSVP email admin@french.co.nz