Arras Cathedral hosted the funeral of the French professor on Thursday morning, in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte and the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal.
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A man “sensitive and discreet” Who “didn’t like the sound and fury of the world.” With emotion and under close surveillance, Arras paid a final tribute to Dominique Bernard on Thursday August 19. Dozens of people gathered on Heroes’ Square to follow the ceremony and say a final goodbye to 57 year old French teacher killed in front of his high school during an attack. The coffin walked up the central aisle of the cathedral with musical accompaniment from the Sicilian by Johann Sebastian Bach. Emmanuel Macron, his wife Brigitte and the Minister of National Education, Gabriel Attal, were notably present. Franceinfo looks back on the three notable sequences from the funeral.
“He didn’t like the sound and fury of the world”: the moving message from his wife Isabelle
His wife Isabellealso a teacher, spoke of her husband, her love of the arts, literature, philosophy, poetry, cinema, and even theater. “He did not like crowds or honors. He hated ceremonies. Sensitive and discreet, he did not like the noise and fury of the world. He deeply loved his daughters, his mother and his sister. . We love each other.”
“I believe in beings who beautify everything in their path”: the tribute of his daughters
“I believe in sensitive beings who know how to receive and give love in balance, who also listen and speak.” Dominique Bernard’s daughters also read a few words. “I believe in beings who beautify everything in their path, whose life is an art and who charm with their gifts”, we could hear.
“I will never forget your silhouette on the steps of Gambetta high school”: the words of a former colleague
“I see your silhouette in the teachers’ room, I always see your shirt, the cup you’re holding, your mischievous smile because you have something funny to say”, continued a colleague, Aurélie. “Here you are elevated to the rank of martyrs, you discreet man. One passion replaces another. And what a loss for the world. I will never forget your silhouette on the steps of the Gambetta high school.”