The Shadow of Algiers

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The Shadow of Algiers: The Black Box of History

The Black Box of History

BBC Radio 4 - The Shadow of Algiers, The Black Box of History

Stories from France's troubled history with Algeria and why they still matter today.

The story of how France is trying to heal the wounds left by the Algerian War of Independence.

President Macron wants to leave his mark on Franco-Algerian relations.  

Sixty years after the Algerian War of Independence - and as France prepares to elect a new President - Edward Stourton concludes his series of stories from a colonial past which still cast a shadow over the present.

In this programme, 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....but, after sixty years, the process has finally begun.  

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.  Now 87, she remains 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. 
Médine - “Grand Paris”.

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Edward Stourton presents stories from France's troubled history with Algeria - a colonial past which still casts its shadow over the present.

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