César Desoye
Description
On the square that today bears its name, Tourcoing?s war memorial stands out as a great scene of remembrance. The figure of Victory, mounted on her horse, leads the heroes "to glory and immortality", giving the site a symbolic and solemn dimension. As you approach, you will discover a monumental tribute to the 2,531 Tourquennois who fell in the fighting of the First World War, as well as to the 177 civilians who died during the Occupation.
Each name inscribed tells a part of local history, marked by four trying years: shortages, requisitions, forced labor, hostage-taking and deportations. The liberation of the town on October 17, 1918 put an end to this dark period, giving way to the need to pay tribute, to gather together and to pass on.
Designated a remarkable 20th-century monument, the complex offers a sensitive reading of the past, supported by an impressive sculptural setting. As you explore the site, you will feel the force of a testimony that has shaped the town?s identity and continues to remind us of the courage of all those who lived through these events.
