麻豆约拍

Seventy years after the Algerian War of Independence began - 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.

In the final programme of the series, Edward reveals how the wounds left by the Algerian War remain very close to the surface.

Benjamin Stora, the historian charged with producing a report on the war and its legacy for the French government, says the enormity of the challenge is clear..

Zorah Drif, who planted a bomb in Algiers at the age of 20 and who was immortalized in the film "The Battle of Algiers" tells us that one of the last great joys of her life is seeing young people determined to carry on the struggle. 87 years old when we spoke to her, she remained unrepentant.

But Algeria's leading novelist, Kamel Daoud, says the country's constant reliving of the past is a curse, not a blessing and says keeping the old wounds so raw is catastrophic.

Sound design: Peregrine Andrews
Producers: Ellie House and Adele Armstrong
Editor: Richard Vadon
Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman

REFERENCES
Paul Aussaresses - "Last Word", Radio 4.
M茅dine - 鈥淕rand Paris鈥�.