From 1 to 4 October 2026, Florian Guillon, Deputy Mayor of Varennes-Vauzelles, took part in the 7th International Conference of Memory Cities, held in Bologna and at the historic sites of Monte Sole and Marzabotto, Italy. His participation reflects the city’s commitment to strengthening European cooperation around memory, peace and the defence of democratic values.
Florian Guillon is Deputy Mayor of Varennes-Vauzelles, with responsibility for culture, peace, remembrance, community life and communications. Since 2025, he has represented Mayors for Peace within the international Memory Cities network, coordinated by the Urban Community of Dunkirk.
Bringing together European and international local authorities whose histories have been marked by war and violence, the network seeks to make remembrance a means of building peace and defending democratic values. The 7th Conference focused in particular on the role of experiences of Resistance in today’s commitment to democracy, justice and peace.
Varennes-Vauzelles at the heart of European discussions
On Friday 2 October, at the Palazzo d’Accursio in Bologna, Florian Guillon took part as a speaker in the first of two round tables dedicated to youth, remembrance and civic engagement, entitled “Learning to Resist: Youth, Memory, Participation and Action.”
He spoke alongside representatives from the cities of Ouistreham, Rostock and Dresden, as well as representatives of the Camp des Milles and the Marzabotto Committee for the Victims of the Massacre. The discussions focused on how today’s generations can take ownership of the legacy of the Resistance and transform historical memory into concrete commitment to democracy and peace.
This reflection directly echoes Varennes-Vauzelles’ commitment to Mayors for Peace, as well as the initiatives undertaken locally to promote remembrance, peace education and awareness among younger generations.
From Bologna to Marzabotto: remembrance in the service of peace
The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the Dunkirk Appeal and the Brussels Commitment, adopted in May 2026 by the Memory Cities network and the European Committee of the Regions. These texts express the determination of local authorities to defend European democratic values, strengthen exchanges between young people, combat nationalism and extremism, and develop genuine city diplomacy in the service of peace.
On Saturday 3 October, the international delegations travelled to Marzabotto and Monte Sole, major sites of remembrance of the Italian Resistance and of the massacre perpetrated by Nazi forces in 1944. Visits to the Sacrario, the Interpretation Centre and the memorial sites of Monte Sole were among the highlights of the gathering. Official and youth delegations also took part in discussions on the future of the network.
The conference concluded on Sunday 4 October with the participation of the international delegations in the ceremonies commemorating the 82nd anniversary of the Monte Sole massacres, attended in particular by Valentina Cuppi, Mayor of Marzabotto, and Patrice Vergriete, Mayor of Dunkirk.
Keeping memory alive to build the future
For Varennes-Vauzelles, a town of around 9,300 inhabitants in the Burgundy region of France, this participation represents an important opportunity to highlight the municipality’s commitment to peace and remembrance. It also enables a small French town to make its voice heard within an international network dedicated to European cooperation and the transmission of memory to younger generations.
“Memory only has meaning if it helps us understand the present and act for the future.” This principle reflects the spirit of the meeting in which Florian Guillon took part on behalf of Mayors for Peace and Varennes-Vauzelles.
Through its presence in Bologna and Marzabotto, Varennes-Vauzelles is therefore continuing its commitment to making remembrance not only a duty, but also a tool for education, dialogue between peoples and the building of a culture of peace.
Copyright: City of Varennes-Vauzelles