In 2000, the association Ancrages was founded in Marseille with a vital mission: to valorize the cultures and memories of exile that have shaped this vibrant Mediterranean city. Our project emerges from a desire to uncover and better understand the historical ties connecting France to its migrant communities, particularly those with post-colonial roots. Today, nearly half of Marseille’s population traces its origins to foreign lands, yet their contributions—as well as those of ‘colonial’ soldiers or Tirailleurs—in liberating France (and Marseille specifically) remain largely overlooked.

At Ancrages, we embrace the belief that ‘C’est par le récit que nous existons et que nous nous désignons au monde’ (It is through storytelling that we exist and make ourselves known to the world), a conviction profoundly echoed in Frantz Fanon’s well-known insight: ‘Chaque génération doit dans une relative opacité découvrir sa mission, la remplir ou la trahir.’ (Each generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission, fulfil it, or betray it). Fanon’s own journey—from participation in the Provence landings to embracing Free France’s dissidence and experiencing racism within the French military—mirrors the complex realities explored in the work of Ancrages. These narratives remind us that the Enlightenment ideals France is famed for were often compromised in practice.

Located in Marseille, Ancrages draws its programme from the history and present context of the city. Historically, as a strategic maritime crossing point, Marseille was a key destination and transit port for Tirailleurs during both the First and Second World Wars. Due to the growing need for military accommodation during the wars, various barracks across the city were created. The Caserne du Muy military barracks, located in the city and built during the Second French Empire (1852–70), formed part of this infrastructure. These barracks continued to function as a transit centre for French colonial soldiers, notably from Senegal and Laos.

Our approach to commemorating the Tirailleurs seeks not only to recover their honour but to do so through a critical, decolonial lens. We explore the circumstances of their recruitment, their complex roles within the French military, and the often-harsh realities of their demobilization. This work is informed by personal and collective histories: for instance, my grandfather was one of many Moroccan peasants conscripted not for front line combat but to maintain order, a stark contrast to the heroic narratives surrounding the Normandy or Provence landings. In 2006, as Moroccan veterans streamed into France seeking social support, many were settled in communal hostels near Marseille—a poignant reminder of their marginalized status despite their sacrifices.

While the national commemorations celebrated the Normandy landings, the stories of colonial troops remained in the shadows, obscured by narratives that prioritized Anglo-American involvement and French resistance figures. This selective memory deliberately subdued the demands for equality and recognition voiced by these ‘brothers in arms’ within colonized territories. The consequences of this historiographical blackout were brutal, culminating in tragic events like the Thiaroye massacre in Senegal and uprisings in Algeria.

To counteract this erasure, Ancrages employs diverse methods of transmission—critical urban walks, educational workshops, round tables, and travelling exhibitions—that confront official history’s gaps and foster critical engagement. Partnering with civil society initiatives like Mars Imperium, we offer critical walks through the city of Marseille to broaden the scope of memory. We link the legacy of the Tirailleurs with ongoing struggles against racism and those that advocate for migrant rights, situating these histories within broader social activism. Within this, academic research, archival work, and the collection of oral testimonies remain indispensable tools in redressing this historical amnesia. This continuum helps descendants, particularly of migrant and binational heritage, claim their citizenship and rightful place within French society.

Through this critical reappropriation, Ancrages offers a richer, more truthful history of France’s and Europe’s liberation—one that opens space for an inclusive, pluralistic collective memory. Our efforts contribute to symbolic yet significant changes. For example, in 2022, Marseille renamed the Bugeaud School—originally named after a military figure linked to Algerian colonization—to Ahmed Litim, an Algerian Tirailleur who died during the liberation of Marseille. Although we were not formally invited to participate in this decision, our role in promoting awareness through our programme ensures that public spaces increasingly reflect the diverse, often neglected, histories that form our shared heritage.

—Samia Chabani, director of Ancrages