A controversy on the day of his inauguration. On Thursday July 22, the new Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Thierry Burkhard, led the ceremony of relighting the flame of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The successor to senior officer François Lecointre thus paid tribute to “the heroes of France of yesterday and today”, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of the Armed Forces on July 23. It mentions that he was accompanied by “the Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Major General of the Armed Forces, military staff, representatives of the Committee of Flame, cadets of the military academies”, but also “students of the town of Noisy-le-Grand”. In a photo posted on Twitter by the new Chief of Staff, General Burkhard can be seen reigniting the flame together with two young teenagers. The boy is wearing jeans, a T-shirt and trainers. The girl is dressed similarly, with a long-sleeved top and a veil.
Since Thursday, July 22, this picture has been causing an uproar on social networks. While some internet users have taken offence at the young man’s casual outfit, it is mainly the second participant’s veil that has come in for criticism. “I find it so indecent that it becomes a provocation,” wrote one user. Another went further: “Spit in the face of those who sacrificed their lives. This is another humiliation that we will not forget. This “ostentatious religious sign” was also seen as “a bit inappropriate”, according to one Twitter user, who quipped: ” Consider putting on a monk’s robe in general next time to be at peace with yourself, thanks.”
“If this ceremony was meaningful to these two young people, could they wear something other than denim sneakers T-shirt? If the republic has a meaning, should we really choose a veiled girl and not another girl who better represents the values of secularism?”