French President Emmanuel Macron visited London Thursday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of General de Gaulle's appeal on 18 June 1940 to the French via the BBC, in a highly symbolic ceremonial ceremony, stressing the importance of Franco-British relations.
Macron began commemorating that historic call to the French to continue resistance against Nazi Germany, in Paris in the morning by visiting the Liberation Museum at the Les Invalides complex, where he met Ober Germain, one of the last 4 veterans with the Order of Liberation still alive, at the age of 99 .
Inspiration
"We should be inspired by this spiritual force," the president told him, adding, "Your courage and bravery are a source of pride for our country and an inspiration to us until now. We will make sure that every young person understands what he owes you."
Marcon then attended the traditional concert at the "Fighting Monument of France" at Valerian Hill, the main site that saw the execution of many combatants and deportees during World War II.
The "Red Arrows" aircraft - the British Royal Air Force's air force review team - and the "France Patrol" air show, flew over Valerian Hill and the Winston Churchill statue in front of the "Little Palace" (Le Petit Palais) in Paris.
It is the first time since the start of the outbreak of the new Corona virus, in which a large military ceremony is held with the presence of many personalities, but without the presence of the public.
London City Honored
After that, Macron, accompanied by a small delegation, went to London to honor the city that was the capital of free France during the Nazi occupation, and Prince Charles was waiting for him in the rain.
Macron in London met British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who was offered a number of historical pieces related to de Gaulle.
The cover was removed from the statue of former British Prime Minister during World War II Winston Churchill in London before Macron's visit today, as it was covered earlier this month after being targeted during the anti-racist protests that became global after George Floyd's murder in the United States.
Macron is expected during the visit to award the highest honor in France - a choir of honor "- to the city of London and all of Britain. Macron had previously said that he intends to present the award" in honor of the tremendous courage of an entire country and people. "
Macron is not the only politician to embrace General de Gaulle's legacy. This historical figure, which is one of the most prominent French political milestones, remains a haven for the entire French political class, especially in light of the current crisis that re-presented the concepts of sovereignty and "social Gaullism".
Even the head of the "far-right" National Rally, Marine Le Pen, whose party fought for a long time, General de Gaulle under the French emblem of Algeria, visited the island of Saint Wednesday to commemorate the appeal the day before the appointment.
Above the parties
"It was neither from the left nor from the right ... He was in favor of reunification and placed himself above the parties," said Michel Winoc, who published a book called "De Gaulle ... inhabited by history", commenting on this issue.
On December 21, 1958, Charles de Gaulle was elected the first president of the Fifth French Republic, then re-elected in 1965, before he abdicated in April 1969 after the failure of a referendum he called for reforms. His first term was marked by the Algeria war and the assertion of French sovereignty on the international scene.