World marks 100th year of Verdun battle

The 1916 offensive, where Germany and France were on opposite sides, lasted 300 days and claimed more than 300,000 lives. France emerged victorious in the battle against France. However, experts say the former battleground has emerged as a symbol of reconciliation, once again, with French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel coming together in a sombre ceremony to mark the centenary. 

In her speech at the Verdun city hall, Merkel said, “Only those who know the past can draw lessons and build a good future.” She also recalled the famous handshake of 1994, between the then French President Francois Mitterrand and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, she said, “We have reconciled and reached agreement. We have become friends,” she said. Hollande likewise dwelt on Merkel’s presence at the remembrance ceremony and said Verdun was a symbol of hope, and not one of suffering. 

“Verdun is where Europe lost itself, 100 years ago. But it also experienced the best. The town was capable of galvanising itself, coming together for peace and for Franco-German friendship. Long live the spirit of Verdun,” he added. In the run-up to the ceremony, Hollande recalled the moment during the 1984 commemoration that his predecessor Francois Mitterrand and the then chancellor of West Germany Helmut Kohl joined hands during the playing of the French national anthem. 

“Mitterrand’s gesture with Helmut Kohl, the hands that reached out and found each other, that’s the symbol of reconciliation,” he told French radio this week. Speaking on the eve of the commemorations, Merkel underlined the close ties between the neighbouring countries, often described as the twin motors of Europe. “To be invited to these commemorations shows the extent to which relations between France and Germany are good today,” she said. 

Now was the time for both countries’ leaders to spell out what they wanted to do for Europe at this moment, a time when the continent was in the grip of the “evil of populism”. That appeared to be a reference to Europe’s far-right parties which have made advances in several countries, fuelled by growing concern over an unprecedented influx of migrants.