The November 11, 1918 at 5: 15 am, the armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany at Rethondes, near Compiègne. The cease-fire takes effect at 11 o’clock. This is the official end of the four years of conflict. The outcome for millions of families separated by the war. But also the grief for those who have lost one of their loved ones: the First world War has made more than 18 million victims, 1.7 million French.
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On the occasion of the centenary of the armistice of 1918, the museum of the Great War in the country of Meaux (Seine-et-Marne), erected on the site of the first battle of the Marne of 1914, organizes a day of entertainment. Of 10 hours to 16: 30, the objects of the collection “Cease-fire” will be presented through short guided tours. Each document, ammunition, or everyday objects will be connected to a story. Visitors will also have the opportunity to gather in lighting the candle of memory.
Horizons , a show between history and memory
From 17: 30 to 18: 30, the night show Horizons will be provided in the museum park by a choir of a hundred children. Under the direction of Nicole Rust, director of the conservatory of music of the country of Meaux, the students of the conservatoire and schools Alain and Henri Dunant de Meaux will sing to the end of the war. The light, “a symbol of remembrance, of recollection, but also a message of hope and peace”, will be at the centre of the service.
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the 10,000 candles will be lit on the stage thirty metres long, installed for the occasion. The children will be accompanied by twelve musicians from the Ensemble Calliopée and the soprano Chiara Skerath. They will be performing a new work by composer Philippe Hersant, with the participation unique of the astrophysicist Hubert Reeves and the historian Jean-Pierre Verney that will combine “memory and history”.
Finally, the museum will open its doors in the evening, from 19: 30 to 23 hours, for the musical interludes. All Calliopée, Hubert Reeves and Jean-Pierre Verney will be present to explain music to the visitors behind the scenes of the Great War.
Museum of the Great War, rue Lazare-Ponticelli, 77100 Meaux . A shuttle every twenty minutes from 9: 30am to 23 hours between the museum and the train station. register for the event .
