Rennes Honors Samuel Paty: A Lesson in Secularism
Well, folks, grab your berets and your baguettes because there’s a new alley in Rennes that’s about to become quite the academic thoroughfare – Allée Samuel Paty! Yes, that’s right, at the very foot of the Poterie metro station, they’ve decided to pay homage to a man who tragically fell victim to the horrors of Islamist terrorism just four years ago. It’s a bit like naming a road after a hero, only this hero taught history and civic education instead of fighting off dragons! Talk about a public service!
Every day now, hundreds of eager teachers and students will shuffle past this newly unveiled plaque, whether they’re late to class or just looking for a good reason to skip it. Let’s face it, nothing says “education” quite like trying to remember where you left your homework while walking through Allée Samuel Paty. Just remember, kids: there’s a time and a place for history, and it’s definitely not when you’re contemplating if that coffee from the vending machine is actually a healthy choice!
The mayor of Rennes, Nathalie Appéré, pulled no punches during her tribute, reminding everyone that Samuel Paty “taught civic education, so that each student, precisely, was educated, liberated, free.” Now, that’s the kind of pep talk that could fly at any school assembly! But let’s not get too carried away; they may need to work on their P.E. classes – “liberated” doesn’t exactly mean running outside in the rain, does it?
“Neither laxity, nor zeal, but benevolent vigilance.”
Ah, yes! Secularism in Rennes is like a finely brewed cup of coffee – it requires just the right blend. “Neither taboo, nor instrumentalization” – who knew a town could have such a refined palate when it comes to handling challenging conversations? It’s crucial, they say, to avoid any provocations that might cause a nearby philosopher to spontaneously combust. And we wouldn’t want that now, would we? The last thing Rennes needs is a philosophical meltdown along with a metro station!
So, what do we take from this? Perhaps it’s simply a reminder that while we might be a tad cheeky about our educational systems, we can also stand firm against those who would silence freedom of expression. Like a strong cup of espresso, it’s about the kick that propels you forward! Rennes’ dedication to Samuel Paty isn’t just a name on a plaque; it’s a beacon for students navigating a world occasionally tottering on the edge of reason.
So, raise a glass to Allée Samuel Paty! May it be a path of enlightenment for young minds and a vibrant reminder that education is not just about knowledge, but also about nurturing the spirit of inquiry and resilience against the tides of extremism. Now, where’s my coffee? I need a strong one for this conversation!
At the foot of the Poterie metro station, at the entrance to the pedestrian path which borders the René Descartes high school, Rennes has just given the name of an alley to Samuel Paty, professor of history and civic education, murdered, victim of terrorism Islamist, just four years ago, in October 2020. The opportunity for a reminder of the Rennes practice of secularism.
From now on, hundreds of teachers and young people will use Allée Samuel Paty to go to class at the Descartes high school, at La Poterie.
By unveiling the plaque dedicated to Samuel Paty, Nathalie Appéré, mayor of Rennes, recalled the convictions and actions of this man: ” Samuel Paty taught civic education, so that each student, precisely, was educated, liberated, free. He called into question postures that confine people and threats to freedom of expression and conscience. He transmitted the keys to understanding a world sometimes losing its bearings“.
Then, she recalled the principles and practice of Rennes in matters of secularism, which “bets on dialogue, collective intelligence, pragmatism…” :
“Neither laxity, nor zeal, but benevolent vigilance.
Neither taboo, nor instrumentalization, but a firmness which refuses any provocation, whether religious, communitarian or discriminatory.
This is our course. The law, all the law, nothing but the law”, referring to the adoption of the law in 1905, “condition of equality and guarantee of fraternity”.
Read the full speech in tribute to Samuel Paty
