The ceremonies of this November 11, 2020 took place in a very small group and under very specific conditions. Public not authorized, limitation to two “young” flag bearers maximum per ceremony in Côte-d’Or, and no guest; much to the regret of the General Delegate of the Souvenir Français of Côte-d’Or.
The consequences of Covid-19 on collective memory
“If people don’t go to war memorials, ceremonies, we forget“regrets Didier Roger.”Collective memory is deteriorating“Already for several years, explains the general delegate of the French Souvenir of Côte-d’Or. The pandemic will simply accentuate the phenomenon according to him.
Dijon “Le Poilus Palace”
Yet the history of the Great War in Côte-d’Or is rich. More than 3000 Dijonnais gave their lives for France during the First World War. The most striking remains “the influx of wounded” has Dijon tells Guy Renaud, historian and author of the Secret Guide to Dijon and its surroundings. The city has become a real place of reception for all the wounded of the War. “We saw hundreds of wounded arriving at Dijon station, we had to set up a place to allow the soldiers to eat, sleep, and take a shower. In derision we called this place The Poilus Palace “ says Guy Renaud.
Further north of the department, the town of Chatillon also became the headquarters of Marshal Joffre during the first offensive of the Battle of the Marne. As for Beaune, an American camp was set up there in 1918.
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