ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

France's Troubled Memory of Vichy and Collaboration

other · 2026-04-23

The article from artpress reflects on France's difficult relationship with its past under the Vichy regime and collaboration during World War II. It questions whether a collective guilt underlies the nation's desire to forget this period, noting that the French Republic and many of its citizens nearly succumbed to amnesia about this infamous history.

Key facts

  • The article is from artpress, dated June 1, 2006.
  • It discusses the memory of Pétain, Vichy, and collaboration in France.
  • The text suggests that France has struggled to come to terms with this past.
  • It mentions a near abandonment to forgetfulness by the French Republic and some French people.
  • The article raises the question of collective guilt as a cause for this amnesia.
  • The source is a PDF file available for download.
  • The title is 'Un mémorial de l'infamie'.
  • The article is in French.

Entities

Institutions

  • artpress

Locations

  • France

Sources