** The inheritance memory: the call for recognition of the massacres of May 8, 1945 in Algeria **
On May 8, 1945, a celebration day for France marking victory over Nazism, was also a tragic date in Algerian history. That day, independentist demonstrations broke out in Sétif, Guelma and Kherrata, aroused violent repression of the French army. Historians believe that tens of thousands of people have lost their lives during these events. By commemorating this tragedy, a collective of researchers and historians underlines the importance of the official recognition of these crimes, calling for an act of truth which could play a crucial role in the reconciliation of memories.
### A hidden past
The massacres of May 8, 1945 have long been largely forgotten in the French national story. At that time, France was folded in itself, occupied by the repercussions of the Second World War, and Algeria, then French colony, was not at the heart of political concerns. However, over time, these events were recognized as a turning point in the struggle for Algerian independence. Their magnitude and violence bear witness to an era marked by racial, political and identity tensions that still shape the Franco-Algerian relations today.
The academics claim that if plot recognitions have taken place, in particular concerning assassinations of emblematic independence, France accuses a substantial delay compared to other countries which recognized the atrocities of their colonial past. Indeed, nations such as the United Kingdom for violence in Kenya or Germany for Namibia events have made an apology or active recognition of the suffering inflicted. This contrast arouses questions about the will to admit and deal with the consequences of colonialism.
### The challenges of recognition
The historian Nils Andersson evokes the persistent feeling of trauma linked to Algerian independence in French public opinion. According to him, the difficulty lies in a context where resentments exist with regard to populations of Algerian origin in France, which can lead to political opposition to any recognition approach. However, he argues that this recognition should not be perceived as repentance, but as a moral act of truth. This point of view could offer a path to a better understanding between the two nations.
For Olivier La Court Grandmaison, the battle to reconstruct the collective memory is essential, not only for a reconciliation of memories, but also for the future of relations between France and Algeria. Far from approaching only diplomatic questions, this reconciliation also has a social dimension in France. The descendants of Algerian immigrants often find themselves faced with a family history marked by silence and denial, which can cause a feeling of memory discrimination.
### towards a reconciliation of memories
The path to a full and whole recognition of the massacres of May 8, 1945 seems sown with pitfalls. However, it is essential to overcome these challenges in order to open a constructive dialogue on the colonial past. Institutional and educational recognition could not only appease current resentments, but also to explore the consequences of this history in contemporary multicultural relationships. Teaching in schools, often deemed insufficient over this period, deserves to be deepened to promote a richer and nuanced understanding of past conflicts.
In this perspective, the search for improvement tracks could include educational initiatives, joint commemorations or collaborative university research between France and Algeria, which could contribute to healing old injuries. In parallel, public policies could integrate reflections on the colonial past to support the efforts of socio -cultural reconciliation.
### Conclusion: A call to action
The commemoration of the massacres of May 8, 1945 is more than a simple reminder marked out by figures. It represents a call for collective responsibility, taking into account a difficult past which continues to shape identities today. The recognition of the suffering inflicted, as an act of shared truth, could become a foundation to build more peaceful and lasting relations between France and Algeria. This process requires courage and sensitivity on the part of political leaders, but also of citizens, in a path to an inclusive memory which recognizes the complexities of colonial history.