French activists remembered for support to Vietnam's struggle for national liberation

Throughout its long history, Vietnam has had a strong desire to live in independence and peace, going through long struggles to maintain independence. On the way to victory, Vietnamese people have been wholeheartedly supported by French activists, including Léo Figueres.

The film ‘Bienvenu au Vietnam’ by historian Alain Ruscio screened at the event. (Image credit: Nhan Dan)

A seminar under the theme ‘Vietnam: from national liberation to today’, co-organised by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Leo Figueres' Friends Association (Les Amis de Léo Figuères - ALF) in Malakoff city on April 11, aimed to honour French support to Vietnam, including Léo Figueres, during its struggles for national liberation.

Born March 27, 1918, Léo Figueres is known as an anti- colonialist soldier, a writer, and former Mayor of Malakoff (from 1965-1996). Léo Figueres was also a member of the French Communist Party Central Committee (1945-1976) and Chief Editor of the Les Cahiers du Communism magazine of the French Communist Party.

In February 1950, Léo Figueres arrived in Vietnam to attend the Vietnam Youth Congress. Within four months, he met President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam's leaders in the resistance base. As a journalist, he wrote numerous reports on the long-term wars and hardships of Vietnamese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. After returning to France, he published a book entitled ‘Je reviens du Vietnam libre’ (I return from a free Vietnam), demanding the French government put an end to the unjust war in Vietnam. His book won public support with 10,000 copies initially printed, later reprinted 11 times and translated into ten languages.

Speaking at the seminar, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son stressed that Vietnam had to go through two fierce wars lasting nearly 30 years to protect national independence and freedom.

In the struggle for national liberation and construction, the Communist Party of Vietnam has mobilised the strength of national unity, with the valuable assistance of international friends, to lead the country to victory, ultimately defending national independence. Vietnam has transformed significantly and has seen many positive changes since the Doi Moi (renovation) process was initiated in 1986. People's lives are constantly being improved. The country has become a trusted destination for foreign investors and an active member in international organisations, positively contributing to address major challenges to ensure peace, stability and development in the world.

Since the early days of the revolution, Vietnam has always received valuable support and solidarity from progressive forces around the world.

In France, there were many people who were not afraid of difficulties and dangers to support the struggle for peace in Vietnam, including Henri Martin, Raymonde Dien, Madeleine Riffaud and Léo Figueres. Through his progressive articles and books, Léo Figueres strongly condemned the French invasion of Vietnam and awakened public opinion and progressive people all over the world. Along with other French citizens who devoted their lives to the country's struggle, he is a symbol of solidarity and friendship between the two Parties and the two peoples.

Ambassador Son affirmed that Vietnam always remembers the international solidarity and wholehearted support from friends in the struggle for peace and justice in Vietnam. Vietnam values the noble actions of millions of people around the world who cheered the country to victory on April 30, 1975 and later supported the renovation process.

At the seminar, a film entitled ‘Bienvenu au Vietnam’ by historian Alain Ruscio, a former correspondent of Humanite (l'Humanité - French Communist Party) in Vietnam, was screened, introducing Vietnam’s struggle for freedom and important achievements in the Doi Moi process. Alain Ruscio also delivered a speech on Vietnam's resistance wars for independence and mentioned the foreign soldiers who devoted their lives to the country's struggle, including Henri Martin, Raymonde Dien, and Madeleine Riffaud.

As a historian spending more than 30 years studying Vietnam’s history, Alain Ruscio answered many questions related to the victories of Vietnam, especially the Triumph of the August 1945 Revolution and April 30 Victory.

ALF was established in 2012 to the continuation of Léo Figueres career after his death in 2011. Through the organisation of meetings and seminars on the history of social movements, revolutions, socialism, internationalism, and anti-war movements, ALF wants to support the struggle towards a more equitable world, encouraging the building of a united social order that respects fair living conditions for all.

(Source: nhandan.org.vn