French High School Named After Armenian Resistance Hero Missak Manouchian

The central high school of Châtenay-Malabry, a town near Paris, has been renamed to honor Missak and Meline Manouchian. This decision was made unanimously by the Council of the Ile-de-France region and was announced by the Armenian Embassy in France. The renaming is a significant moment in French history, as it is the first school in the country to bear the name of an Armenian hero from the French Resistance Movement.

Missak Manouchian is remembered as a key figure in the fight against Nazi occupation during World War II. Along with his comrades, he stood up against oppression, fighting for freedom and justice in France. His dedication to the Resistance made him a symbol of courage, and his legacy lives on today. Manouchian and his comrades were honored posthumously by being laid to rest in the Pantheon, among France's greatest figures, through a decision by the President of France.

The renaming ceremony was a thoughtful and emotional event. Students from the school paid tribute to Missak Manouchian by reading his poetry aloud, connecting the younger generation to the ideals and struggles of this hero. The school’s principal, along with history and philosophy teachers, explained to the students the importance of preserving the memory of Manouchian and his fellow fighters. They mentioned how these individuals not only played a critical role in France's past but also serve as timeless examples of bravery and resistance against tyranny.

The ceremony also gathered important political figures. Among the attendees were Carl Segaud, the Mayor of Châtenay-Malabry and a member of the Ile-de-France council, Georges Sifredi, President of the Hauts-de-Seine department, and Prefect Benoit Trevisan. Armenia’s Ambassador to France, Hasmik Tolmajian, also attended the event, showing the strong ties between Armenia and France.

The renaming of the school after Missak and Meline Manouchian is more than a tribute to their lives; it serves as an enduring symbol of the fight for freedom, unity, and human dignity. By connecting these values to education, the initiative ensures that future generations in France will remember and reflect on the courage of those who came before them.