Cérémonie en hommage à deux enseignants assassinés

A ceremony was held on October 16, 2026, to honor Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard, two teachers killed by Islamic terrorism. The event brought together the educational community, elected officials, and representatives from memorial associations like the Souvenir Français, to reaffirm republican values and the importance of education.

Personnalités présentes à la cérémonie

Several personalities attended the ceremony, including representatives from the city of Perpignan, such as Philippe Benguigui, acting for the mayor, and André Bonnet and other municipal council members. Educators like Rémi-Charles Sirvent, representing Anne-Laure Arino, director of the departmental education services (DASEN) in the Pyrénées-Orientales, also participated. The Souvenir Français was represented by a delegation led by General Gilles Glin, president of the Perpignan committee, along with Chantal Bruzi, David Tranchecoste, and Norbert Zablith, the vice-presidents.

Rappel des circonstances des assassinats

François Lietta spoke about the circumstances surrounding the murders of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard. Samuel Paty, a history-geography and civic education teacher, was beheaded on October 16, 2020, outside his middle school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine (Yvelines) due to his professional commitment and teaching of critical thinking. Dominique Bernard, a French teacher, was stabbed on October 13, 2023, inside the Gambetta-Carnot school complex in Arras (Pas-de-Calais) for protecting his students from barbarism.

Symbolique et hommage officiel

A wreath was laid jointly by Philippe Benguigui and Jean-Louis Authié, president of the alumni of the Lycée Arago, on behalf of the city. The attendees then observed a minute of silence, followed by the singing of La Marseillaise, reminding the Catalan city of its attachment to freedom of teaching and the Republic.