Remembering teachers Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard

Commemoration of teachers Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard — Tuesday 13 October 2026

On Tuesday 13 October, the Lycée français de Vienne brought together all its pupils for a moment of silence in memory of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard, who were murdered because they were teachers.

The ceremony was attended by the French Ambassador to Austria, Matthieu Peyraud, and the Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, Mr Ducluzaux.

The school's head, Sophie Maraux, opened the ceremony with a speech reaffirming the loyalty owed to these two teachers, who were murdered for having chosen to teach, to explain, to encourage reflection and to nurture free minds. In the face of violence that sought to silence their voices and sow fear at the very heart of the school, the response must be the exact opposite: to stand united, to continue teaching, to continue learning, and to continue believing that intelligence, culture and critical thinking are the most powerful defences against obscurantism. She reiterated that freedom of expression is never a permanent given but a responsibility — the courage to explain, to listen, to debate, and always to respect — and reaffirmed the trust, gratitude and admiration of the entire educational community for all teachers.

Esther, Erelle and Emmanuel, three sixth-formers, then read Paul Éluard’s poem ‘Liberté’.

In every line, the same gesture recurs: writing, over and over again, a single word — ‘Liberté’. A word which, even today, brings us together and reminds us why schools exist.

The ceremony continued with a moment of silence observed by all those present, before the two national anthems rang out: the French *La Marseillaise* and the Austrian, *Land der Berge, Land am Strome*.

By honouring the memory of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard, the French Lycée in Vienna affirms that their commitment as teachers lives on in every classroom, in every lesson, in every question asked, and in every pupil who learns to think freely.

In this way, their memory remains alive.