497 women and 317 children were imprisoned at the Montazels-Couiza concentration camp on the 8th February 1939.
The camp was closed on the 8th May 1940.Spanish refugees in France were sent to build roads in the Aude region, to work in the gold mine at Salsignes, north of Carcassonne, or to Nazi extermination camps.
I knew nothing of this until after last nights' play, On the Cut, when we had a brief talk on the subject. Sitting in the same space where these poor women had been imprisoned, with less care than we give to dogs, was harrowing.
The play was a challenge too, dealing with class issues, racism, the poverty of the workers in wartime. It was set on the canals in England and masqueraded as a radio play being performed in front of us - so two women sat in front of microphones with scripts while the BBC chappie read out what was happening and others did sounds off.
It was so well done!! AND it was funny. Beautifully written and produced and presented.
Couple of hundred Brits there and a token scattering of French friends... many congratulations to all involved, especially of course animateurs and producers James and Alex (who are become the major cultural force in Esperaza.)
**********************************************
Norbert and Louise and I came out hungry and saw there was a tiny space in La Chapaire. There were many friends there. Sally! Who was beginning her birthday celebrations in preparation for today
Like this picture of Guillame photographing some of the fun :) Better than any of mine.
No comments:
Post a Comment