Message from the President of the Republic on the occasion of National Emigration Day
ALGIERS- President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, sent on Wednesday a message to the Algerian people on the occasion of the National Emigration Day, marking the 63rd anniversary of the demonstrations of 17 October 1961, translated by APS as follows:
“In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful,
Prayers and Peace be upon His Messenger,
Dear citizens,
We are celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the National Emigration Day (17 October), which comes “in commemoration of the struggles of our community abroad, which expressed the rallying of Algerian men and women residing in France at the time, to the Glorious Liberation Revolution,” he said.
This anniversary “remains deeply engraved in our minds given the strong symbolism it carries, illustrating the unity and attachment of the people to the goals outlined in the eternal 1 November Declaration…for it reminds generations of one of the most expressive images of our community's adherence in France to the revolutionary liberation movement in an Algeria committed to definitively break free from the colonial yoke and liberate itself from the illusions of colonists who dreamed of paradise at the expense of the inhabitants of our blessed land."
The haunting images from Paris's metro stations and Seine bridges, preserved in historical archives, bear witness to the colonizer's hatred, violence, and racism during those moments of inhuman madness. These documented atrocities serve as testament to the profound and sacred national bond that unites all children of our beloved country.
On this occasion, I bow my head with piety and deference to the memory of the victims of that sinister day, and I greet the children of Algeria, men and women abroad, renewing the State's constant commitment to defending their rights, protecting their interests and creating optimum conditions for their integration in the process of national recovery and renewal, and in Algeria's dynamic transition towards the future, with a new vision, confident in the country's capacities and skillful youth, in the awareness of its youth and people of the challenges, convinced of winning the bets and realizing the dreams of our valiant Shouhada (war martyrs) in a haughty Algeria, the Algeria of nationalism and dignity, and committed to the principle of right and fairness with regard to the issue of memory, that certain extremist circles are trying to falsify or relegate this memory to oblivion, at a time when the question of memory needs a new breath of courage and integrity to rid itself of the complex of the colonial past and turn towards a future where there is no place for hate-mongers, among those who remain prisoners of obsolete colonial thinking.
Long life Algeria,
Glory and eternity to our valorous martyrs.”