50 foreigners received their naturalization decrees
This is a major first for the town.
Never before had Carnoules hosted a naturalization ceremony of this scale. On January 26th, in the renovated premises of the former cooperative cellar "La Laborieuse", Christophe Mandon, mayor of Carnoules, and Anne-Cécile Vialle, sub-prefect of the arrondissement of Brignoles, presided over this solemn event marking the entry into the national community of fifty residents of the Var.
WORKING-CLASS AND REPUBLICAN MEMORY The choice of venue was no accident. Transformed into a cultural space and media library, this former cellar is a witness to local history. "It is an honor to welcome you to this communal space, a former cooperative cellar born of the 1907 winegrowers' revolt," stressed Christophe Mandon.
The mayor invited the audience to discover the ground floor, which has remained "in its original state" to preserve the agricultural soul of the site.
tells a story that resonates with the journey of the new citizens: "a story of migration, work, solidarity and the Republic". Anne-Cécile Vialle recalled that the wine-growing land of the Var has been shaped by generations of workers from Italy, Spain and elsewhere. "By becoming French today, you are joining this long line of women and men who, through their effort and their love for the country, built France," she said.
For the representative of the State, this building These are 33 women and 17 men, from 22 different countries (Algeria, Mexico, Germany, United Kingdom, Russia, Peru, etc.), who have acquired French nationality. They reside in various municipalities of the department such as Le Luc, Gonfaron, Pignans, or Le Cannet-des-Maures.
The mayor shared his own family history to welcome his new compatriots: "My name is Mandon. Everyone understands that I come from this history since my grandparents and my mother were naturalized French in 1962."
He concluded with a vibrant appeal: "Since you are French, be proud of it and know how to be worthy of it!" After the individual presentation of the decrees to residents who came from Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume, La Seyne-sur-Mer or Puget-Ville, the assembly stood to sing the Marseillaise, thus sealing their belonging to the national.
Photo Alain BLANCHOT.