A moving celebration of remembrance took place this Saturday at the Institution Notre-Dame (IND) in Chartres in memory of Bertrand Mertz.
This philosophy professor, who taught in the establishment for thirty years, died on May 26, victim of a heart attack during a school trip to Chartres. Unanimously appreciated over the years by the entire educational community and by his students, Bertrand Mertz was quite simply recognized as an exceptional being.
“Each of his lessons was a play”
Many people, colleagues, but also students of yesterday and today, wanted to participate in the ceremony which paid tribute to him and which was attended by his partner and his daughter.
Bertrand Mertz, professor of philosophy at the Institut Notre-Dame, in Chartres, has died
Fanny, Candice, Louise and Marylise, final year students, huddle together to better cope with the pain, then sketch a slight misty smile as they recall the unforgettable philosophy lessons of their late teacher. “Each one was a play where philosophy played the leading role,” says Candice nicely. “He breathed philosophy, he was more of a guide than a teacher,” sighs Fanny.
A cabin in his name
A little further on, two sisters, Marie-Caroline who has just passed the baccalaureate and Anne-Charlotte, a pupil of Bertrand Mertz in 2019, testify: “He was an exceptional teacher, endearing, always wanting to share his passion for philosophy. . He built his lessons with anecdotes. »
Eloquence competition: four students from the Institution Notre-Dame, in Chartres, will participate in the regional final
Away, Paul is very moved. At 26, he now works in research. He remembers Bertrand Mertz, his main teacher in 2014: “I am sad. He has helped me so much in my life choices. »
In the reception hall of the IND, guest books collect the words of the huge wave of testimonials from everywhere. Drawings, emails, letters, poems… always to say the same thing: “Mr. Mertz, you were a good person! »
The “book cabin” is a library installed in an English telephone booth at the crossroads of pedestrian walkways, in the heart of the IND.
“Openness to the world, discoveries, reflection, personal questioning, that’s all you find in books,” says Mathieu Buttin, director of the IND. “It’s also everything Bertrand liked. So, to continue to see you every day, the “cabin of books” will now bear your name…”
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