The Last Lesson of Alsace-Lorraine

    By Ahmed Madboly

    The Last Lesson of Alsace-Lorraine cover image

    05 Aug, 2024

    a boy walking down a cobblestone street in a town with flowers on the windows and a clock tower, art photography, a storybook illustration, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), cinematic photography

    Franz woke up late, a fear of being scolded by his strict teacher, Mr. Hamel, gripping him.

    a group of people walking down a street next to tall buildings with flowers on them and a clock tower, arts and crafts movement, a tilt shift photo, Evgeny Lushpin, medieval

    Franz hurried to school, ignoring the beauty of nature and the unusual crowd in front of the bulletin board.

    a group of children and adults in a classroom with a man standing in front of them and a man standing behind them, quito school, a detailed matte painting, Diego Gisbert Llorens, promotional image

    Franz entered the eerily silent classroom, surprised to see Mr. Hamel dressed in his finest clothes.

    a group of people sitting at desks in a classroom with one boy in a suit and tie looking at the camera, arts and crafts movement, a colorized photo, Christopher Wood, vfx

    Mr. Hamel announced that this would be their last French lesson as Prussian authorities had decreed that only German will be taught.

    a boy sitting in front of a desk in a classroom with other boys behind him looking at the camera, les automatistes, a character portrait, Armin Hansen, vfx

    The announcement hit Franz hard. He felt a pang of regret for not taking his lessons seriously.

    a group of people sitting at a table with books in front of them and a man standing behind them, paris school, a colorized photo, Carlo Crivelli, movie still

    He recognized the true value of his language and the deep connection it held to his sense of self and community.

    a man standing in front of a large group of children in a village with a building in the background, socialist realism, a colorized photo, David Annand, vfx

    Mr. Hamel urged them to hold on to their French language, even if it was no longer taught in schools.

    a man in a suit and hat standing in front of a group of people in a village with a building, socialist realism, a detailed matte painting, David Annand, promotional image

    He emphasized that language was the key to maintaining their identity and resisting the cultural domination imposed by their conquerors.

    a group of children sitting at desks in a classroom with a teacher in the background looking on from behind, arts and crafts movement, a detailed matte painting, Bob Byerley, j. c. leyendecker 8 k

    Franz, along with others, understood the importance of their language and heritage in their fight for freedom.

    a man standing next to a boy in a classroom with a book in his hand and a group of people behind him, arbeitsrat für kunst, a detailed matte painting, Carel Willink, vfx

    They resolved to keep their language alive, cherishing it as a symbol of their identity and resistance.

    a man in a suit sitting at a desk in front of a group of people in a classroom with a chalkboard, arts and crafts movement, a renaissance painting, David Brewster, vfx

    With a heavy heart, Mr. Hamel dismissed the class, concluding the last French lesson.

    a boy sitting at a desk in a classroom with other boys in the background, writing on a notebook, arts and crafts movement, a detailed matte painting, Caspar Wolf, vfx

    Franz walked out of the school, forever changed and determined to preserve his heritage.

    The Last Lesson of Alsace-Lorraine

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