27 May 2008
Corsicans praised for their courage
Invaded by both the Germans and the Italians during World War 2, as well as controlled by the government of Vichy, which was collaborating with the occupier, the Corsicans still managed to hide most of the Jews living on the island, protecting them from deportation to camps.
The association "Hommage aux villages de France" (tribute to French villages), which aims at honouring all the villages who have helped the Jewish community during the war, is on its way to Corsica.
Ten villages in France have already held celebrations with local inhabitants and received a commemorative plaque from the association, and a further 50 villages are currently being examined.
Jean Wohl, member of the association, will be in charge of collecting testimonies from the local Corsican population.
Maurice Barenfeld, who started the association to honour the family who helped him hide during the war, told Corse Matin: "In the dark page of French history where figure the Jews, Corsica and its inhabitants have played an important role. We will never forget those actions and want to glorify them and engrave them in people's memory."
