(Название отсутствует)
Ossetian fraternity in France declared that they would not leave the graves of fellow countrymen near Paris unattended
The French publication Le Monde published the article stating that due to the suspension of funding from Russia, the so-called "Russian cemetery" in Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois is under threat. Lack of money can be a reason to stop caring for graves. Many immigrants from Russia are buried in this cemetery, including the writer Gaito Gazdanov.
The editors of Ossetia News contacted representatives of the Ossetian community in France. The head of the association, Lora Dzhanaeva, stressed that the Ossetians in France "are closely following the development of the situation." The Russian embassy is also dealing with the issue.
“In addition, the cemetery is a historical monument and, accordingly, is protected by French law. And, of course, we, natives of Ossetia, will not leave the graves of our countrymen without supervision if the issue is not resolved at the official level. At the same time, we should not forget the members of the families of the deceased, in particular Gaito Gazdanov,” Dzhanaeva told Ossetia News.
The municipality of Sainte-Genevieve-des-Bois also made an official statement. They stressed that there are "numerous inaccuracies" in the Le Monde article. The city authorities note that the cemetery has the status of a “historical monument”, and in the summer of 2022 it was declared a “protected natural area”. The statement also said that in 2018, the restoration of dilapidated or abandoned graves was discussed. But due to the coronavirus pandemic and a special operation in Ukraine, the plans were not implemented.
“With regard to the payment of concessions for 2022, we have been forced to temporarily postpone the preparation and receipt of payment due to the exceptional international situation. As it has for almost a century, the City of Saint Genevieve will continue its efforts to preserve this important international heritage.
We resolutely reaffirm that not a single Russian grave will be demolished, and the city authorities will continue, as they do today, to ensure the care and maintenance of order in the public spaces of the communal cemetery. War will never be a pretext for encroaching on the duty of memory and respect for the dead, regardless of their origin,” the municipality said in the statement.
