The echo of footsteps resonates in the clearing of Mont-Valérien, where the tragic story of Missak Manouchian, an Armenian poet who became a hero of the French resistance, still resonates. On Tuesday February 20, 2024, a solemn funeral vigil preceded his entry into the Pantheon, where he will rest for eternity alongside his wife Mélinée.
Under the careful guard of the military, Missak Manouchian’s coffin followed the path taken 80 years ago by the resistance fighter leading to his sad end. The ceremony was imbued with deep emotion, embodying the courage and determination of those who, like him, fought for freedom.
At dusk, on Mont-Valérien bathed in light, the Marseillaise and the Chant des Partisans rang out, celebrating the memory of this man who paid with his life for his unwavering commitment against oppression. Patricia Mirallès, Secretary of State for Veterans, underlined the importance of this tribute for young people, recalling the sacrifice of the heroes who defended the values of France.
A minute of silence brought together the assembly, in memory of Missak Manouchian’s 22 fellow fighters, all shot alongside their leader. Their name, like his, will find a place in the Pantheon, a symbol of eternal recognition for these shadow fighters.
The spotlights illuminating the clearing evoke the painful past of this place, transformed today into a sanctuary of memory and respect. Missak Manouchian, in his last words devoid of hatred, testifies to the humanity which animated him until the end.
After this poignant vigil, the coffin joined the esplanade of the Combatant France Memorial, before finally finding its place in the Pantheon, among the great men and women who forged the history of the nation.
Thus, the funeral vigil of Missak Manouchian will remain engraved in memories, as a vibrant tribute to all those who sacrificed their lives for an ideal of freedom and justice.