The Suitcase or the Coffin
The story of how France greeted tens of thousands of French and Algerians driven into exile after the Algerian War of Independence.
Seventy years after the start of the Algerian War of Independence - and as a divided France struggles to repair its broken politics - Edward Stourton presents tales from a colonial past which still cast a shadow over the present.
This is the story of how, at the end of the war, France greeted the tens of thousands of French and Algerians who, virtually overnight, felt they had no choice but to leave Algeria. They feared for their future, and even for their lives.
But the idea that many of them were simply 'coming back' to their homeland was far from the truth.
Sound design: Peregrine Andrews
Producers: Adele Armstrong and Ellie House
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman
REFERENCES
"Ceasefire in Algeria announced by de Gaulle 1962β British Pathe.
βIn a Savage War of Peaceβ Alastair Horne.
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- Thu 7 Apr 2022 23:30ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
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