Commemoration of 150 years of the Paris Commune

From March 18, the city of Paris commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Commune. During this period, 68 events will be held in different Parisian districts, especially in the east of the capital.

The event poster uses the image of Louise Michel, an emblematic figure of this period. For 72 days, Parisians will be able to discover exhibitions and frescoes. They can go to the theater (Louise Michel trial, Last barricade in Paris) or follow guided tours. They will also be able to participate in ceremonies or conferences at the Petit Palais (75008) and at the “Carré de Baudouin pavilion” (75020).

This commemoration takes place on the exact dates of the insurrection (March 18-May 28, 1871), all the arrondissements take part: Paris Center and the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 19th and 20th arrondissements. Most of this plural programming will take place outdoors and according to the sanitary protocol.

Eric Lejoindre, mayor PS of the 18th and Laurence Patrice, deputy PCF at the City of Paris, for the memory and the fighting world, were present. For the latter, this commemoration is not an opportunity “to ‘glorify the violence engendered by the Revolt”.

What is the Paris Commune?

After the defeat against the Prussians in 1870 and the siege of Paris, an insurrectionary period of a little over 2 months broke out. We will call it “La Commune de Paris”.

On March 18, 1871, Parisian workers, artisans and the liberal professions rose up against the government of Adolphe Thiers who wanted to disarm the National Guard. They prevent the removal of the guns of the National Guard on the Butte Montmartre and push the government to leave Paris to settle in Versailles.

During the Bloody Week, in May 1871, around 20,000 people were executed and then buried in Parisian parks. Others, nearly 40,000, were thrown into prison and 4,500 deported to New Caledonia.

First stage of the commemoration

To begin this commemoration, singer Nawel Dombrowsky performed the “Marseillaise de la Commune 1871” and the “Temps des Cerises”. She concluded with Eugène Pottier’s song “Elle n’est pas morte” after the interventions of Hugo Rousselle and Dugudus. In front of the 50 portraits of Communards and the canons produced by Dugudus, the participants sang “the International “. You could see “Yellow Vests”, “Direct Democracy” or “Requisition” banners which read “Vive la Commune”.

Thursday March 18, the Mayor of Paris unveiled a traveling exhibition at the foot of the Sacré Coeur, square Louise Michel. This exhibition brings together 50 portraits of Parisians from the Commune, produced by Dugudus. The artist represents his characters of the Municipality in real size and in their diversity. It reflects the crowd of insurgents including seasoned militants or simply anonymous of the Parisian people. Texts relating historical anecdotes linked to this period accompany intellectuals and workers, women and men of all ages. They will be on the Grids of emblematic Parisian places.

Dates and locations of the exhibition

• March 18: Happening on the steps of the Butte Montmartre (75018)
• April 2: Vernissage, Paris City Hall (75004)
• April 2> April 18: Gates of the Hôtel de Ville de Paris, rue de Rivoli (75004) / Town hall of the 3rd arrondissement (75003)
• April 20> May 9: Gates of the Gare de l’Est (75010)
• May 11> May 27: Grilles des Buttes-Chaumont (75019)

Who is Dugudus?

Born in 1987, Dugudus, whose real name is Régis Léger, is a graphic designer, illustrator and street artist. After his studies at the Estienne school and the Gobelins school, he went to study in Havana. He plastered images on the walls of cities, to challenge passers-by with humor and provocation, by desecrating politics. The “We, the Municipality” project was born last year. The artist’s line translates a work of assembling period photos, caricatures and description. Among the characters: Jean-Baptiste Clément, Louise Michel, Gavroche and Cosette, Gustave Courbet, Arthur Rimbaud or Elisabeth Dmitrieff, founder of the Union of Women for the Defense of Paris. In total, 50 characters related to the Municipality. An art book, printed in 1600 copies, completes the exhibition, it includes 50 drawings and biographical texts by Hugo Rousselle.

Inauguration of the Allée de l’Île des Pins

In the Louise Michel square, Anne Hidalgo inaugurated the new allée de l’Île des Pins. It pays tribute to the many insurgents deported to New Caledonia during this episode in the history of Paris. The place is symbolic since there is an araucaria, endemic species of New Caledonia.

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