Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité

Today is the 110th anniversary of France's law on laïcité -- the official separation of Church and State. It also happens to be the day before the second round of the regional elections. Our mayor took the opportunity to organise a ceremony. Although you might think that all French Mairies have the words Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité emblazoned on them, ours didn't, until today, when they were officially unveiled. Instead it said Télégraphe, Concierge, Ecole de Filles -- doesn't have quite the same ring to it, does it? I'm afraid you can't see our new motto in this photo because it's too high up.

Laïcité is a very French concept that isn't always understood elsewhere, and is one of the things that has been manipulated by the far right to stoke discrimination against Muslims. There's an article in the Guardian by Natalie Nougayrède that goes some way to explaining it, although I am not convinced by her claim that the law against religious symbols in schools was not specifically aimed at Muslims (you cannot wear a hijab in public schools in France, or a crucifix or yarmulke).

Serge made his usual stirring speech about Republican values, and then M-F read part of a speech by Jean Jaurès (see first extra), followed by another neighbour reading a piece Jaurès wrote about patriotism and how it is used to promote xenophobia, sadly as relevant today as it was 110 years ago. After which the schoolchildren (second extra) recited a poem, and then we all went and drank wine in the sunshine.