For me, Lyon is without a doubt more diverse culturally than
a lot of the cities I have lived in throughout my lifetime. It is not uncommon
for me to see several women in traditional Islamic garb on the busses and metro
both by my house and around Lyon. I have seen men in what I think is also
traditional Islamic clothing. I have also seen men in the metro wearing
Yamakas, but it is much less common.
While I
personally have not seen blatant acts of discrimination toward any one religion
while here in France, I have heard of some cultural separation. When we were
first getting to know the city, I took a course that allowed us to meet with
the mayor of one of the arrondissments. We asked about the immigrant and
refugee presence in Lyon, and his response was that depending on the location
and the school, parents were pulling children out and moving to private schools
to avoid contact with the Islamic religion and these people.
In my
courses here, there are two Syrians in my class. I don’t think either came here
during the most recent crisis. A friend here, though, has a host-sister from
the Brittany region who was extremely shocked to hear we had class with them.
She was almost offended that a Syrian would make a home in France.
My
host-mom has similar sentiments. She has expressed opinions multiple times
against the Jewish and Islamic presence in Lyon. She believes that they do not
integrate into the French culture and they form communities of their own—a
belief that reminds me of the reasons we discussed for the building anti-Semitic
feelings prior to the Dreyfus affair and then World War II.
I have
not found any signs of Jewish memorials in the city, however, there are
memorials for those who died for France and the resistance in general. In
Bellecour, there is a memorial dedicated to the Armenian genocide. There is a
building that was used by the Gestapo to torture prisoners that is commemorated
with a plaque, however, nothing is mentioned particularly about the Jews.
I find your post very interesting because I have been to France, but I've never been to Lyon, so it's interesting to hear about their cultural attitudes and put that into perspective with what I have seen in Paris.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that Lyon was so culturally diverse. Historically, Catholicism has been forced upon the Spanish population, and although that is not the case present-day, it's long-term effects are still evident. Of all the people that I have talked about with religion here, I have not met one that does not identify as Catholic (although the majority of people here who identify as Catholic do not actually practice).
I think it's awesome that you're living in a city with such a diverse culture!
From my experiences in Paris, it does seem like France has more closed-off cultural attitudes, but it is sad to hear that it goes so far as to parents pulling their children out of schools to reduce contact with immigrants and refugees.
How do you think the cultural attitudes in France compare with those in America or other European countries you have traveled to?
Hey Kaleigh,
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point about the "assimilate-or-else" attitudes in France. I have witnessed it in Paris as well.
In regard to noticing a lack of Holocaust memorials in Lyon, I am not surprised. Paris is a much larger city than Lyon, and these memorials (only two come to mind) are tucked away in quiet parts of the city, away from tourists and locals alike. The Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation is a beautiful and haunting memorial hidden behind Notre Dame, behind a road, AND underground. Not exactly exposed and inviting for people to come see. Regardless, it is a great memorial and I would highly suggest it. It seems as if the French continue to try and distance themselves from their compliance in World War II.
Grant