(from Paris) – The day after the largest demonstration France can remember, Paris is not a city like any other.

I remember last Wednesday. I learnt about the slaughter at the Charlie Hebdo editorial office from the Internet: I was home, sitting in front of my computer. Outside, in the streets, the air felt unreal. Apparently, nothing had changed: the city’s hustle and bustle, traffic jams, crowded subway trains rushing through. Yet, something covert and hidden could be felt; a kind of hidden malaise could be glimpsed in people’s eyes. Almost as if they wanted to apologize because they kept on living as nothing had happened. This is why, I believe, for some reason we all ended up gathering in Place de la République, in a spontaneous huddle, in order to make sure that what we heard about or seen had actually happened; knowing that only our physical presence there, together, could confirm this.

The days following the murder of Charlie Hebdo journalists have been tense, in a city that was still bustling with activity, but in a kind of standby mode. News related to more attacks, subway station evacuations, school closures and the impossibility to leave our homes were constant occurrences. Then, we learnt about the kidnappings in Vincennes and Dammartin-en- Goële: we suddenly realized we were in danger. At the center of Europe.

Despite the alerts, the extremely high risk of more attacks, despite criticism and skepticism, last Sunday we took to the streets. Everybody. Once again. But this time with a new resolve. We were not the same stunned and silent crowd that had gathered the previous Wednesday. It was a public square, a whole city, an entire continent, lively and steadfast, that faced a daunting march to demonstrate against terrorism and in support of freedom of expression.

The day after: Paris, and Europe, are not the same as they used to be. The attacks of the last few days were supposed to strike a deliberate blow to the founding values of our common identity. This goes to show that these values should not be taken for granted: they are not given once and for all; and their absence does not apply only to other remote civilizations in time and space. Rather, this shows that these values are alive and, therefore, fragile, to be cherished and nourished every day. The Paris attacks have struck at Europe’s heart because the attackers were children of Europe: born and raised in France.

“Freedom of the press, of expression, individual rights, mutual respect: these are all values France has given Europe and Europe needs to defend them”, the President of the EU Parliament – Mr. Martin Schulz – stated on Monday morning during an interview with France Info; he also added: “We should not invest only in security but also in consciences, education, integration. Violence can never be accepted, but we must fight against hopelessness. If we do not learn our lesson, we will lose the battle”.

(da Parigi) – Il giorno dopo la più grande manifestazione che la Francia ricordi, Parigi non è una città come le altre.

Ricordo la giornata di mercoledì. Ho appreso del massacro alla redazione di Charlie Hebdo da internet, ero in casa, davanti al mio computer. Fuori, per strada, si respirava un’aria irreale. Apparentemente nulla era cambiato, la città che pulsa, il traffico, la metro che corre affollata. Eppure si percepiva qualcosa di serbato, di nascosto, una sorta di malessere si scorgeva negli occhi delle persone. Come a voler scusarsi di continuare a vivere come niente fosse. Per questo, credo, la sera ci siamo ritrovati tutti a place de la République, in un raccoglimento spontaneo, partito chissà da chi, chissà da dove, ma necessario ad appurare che quello che si era sentito o visto fosse accaduto davvero. E che solo la presenza fisica, lì, di ognuno di noi, potesse darcene conferma.

I giorni che sono seguiti all’uccisione dei giornalisti di Charlie Hebdo, sono stati giorni tesi, in una Parigi sempre in fermento, ma come in attesa. Si susseguivano notizie di nuovi attentati, di evacuazioni di stazioni metro, di chiusura di scuole, di impossibilità di uscire di casa. Poi, la notizia dei sequestri a Vincennes e a Dammartin-en- Goële, la consapevolezza improvvisa di essere in pericolo. Al centro dell’Europa.

Nonostante le allerte, il rischio altissimo di altri attentati, nonostante i detrattori e gli scettici, domenica siamo scesi in piazza. Tutti. Di nuovo. Ma stavolta con una nuova volontà. Non era la piazza ammutolita e attonita di mercoledì sera. Era una piazza, anzi una città intera, un continente intero, vitale e tenace, che ha affrontato una marcia impegnativissima per manifestare contro il terrorismo e a favore della libertà di espressione.

Il giorno dopo Parigi, e l’Europa, non sono più le stesse. Gli attentati dei giorni scorsi hanno voluto colpire scientemente i valori fondanti della nostra identità unitaria. Segno che questi valori non sono scontati, non sono dati una volta e per sempre, e che la loro mancanza non riguarda altre civiltà, lontane nello spazio e nel tempo. È segno, invece, che questi sono valori vivi e per questo fragili, da coltivare e alimentare ogni giorno. Gli attentati di Parigi hanno colpito il cuore dell’Europa perché gli attentatori erano figli dell’Europa, nati in Francia, cresciuti in Francia.

“La libertà di stampa, di espressione, i diritti individuali, il rispetto reciproco, sono valori che la Francia ha dato all’Europa e bisogna che l’Europa li difenda”, ha detto lunedì mattina il presidente del Parlamento Europeo, Martin Schulz, in un’intervista a France Info. “Bisogna investire – ha aggiunto – non soltanto nella sicurezza, ma nelle coscienze, nell’educazione, nell’integrazione. La violenza non può mai essere accettata, ma dobbiamo combattere la mancanza di speranza. Se non ne traiamo delle conseguenze perderemo la battaglia”.

They arrive in a country they have not chosen, they do not know, and which language they generally do not speak. They come from far away, from places the name of which does not have any place in our newspapers news. Names we have heard of, but names we cannot position on a world map. Names that do not speak to us, and yet voices crying out every day to make themselves heard. Some of these voices come to Europe after so many odysseys, journey which have nothing epic in the reality of the wounds they left on the bodies and hearts of these men and women. Europe itself, up to then only a name present hither and thither on the page of a newspaper, locus amenus, bulwark of freedom and democracy, suddenly shows itself in its full reality.

According to the latest data released by Eurostat, in year 2013 the asylum applicants registered in the EU 28 nations were 435,000. They were 335,000 in year 2012. 65% of these applications was rejected. Only 15% of applicants were granted refugee status: about 50,000 people who are new European citizens in all respects. What kind of Europe will the refugees meet, get to know and live?

Makaila Nguebla, 42 years old, is a journalist and activist from Chad. He was forced to move away from his country more than ten years ago. Expelled from Senegal and Tunisia, then a refugee in Guinea Conakry, he finally arrived in France in July, 2013. Recognized as a political refugee, he lives at present in Paris, where he carries on writing and denouncing the regime of his country. We met him at the Maison des journalistes (MDJ) in Paris, a place unique in the world, which houses exiled journalists. Since his opening in 2002 MDJ has welcomed 273 journalists from over 50 nations in the world. Makaila is today a European citizen without choosing to be such. A voice unique and yet not isolated to open new perspectives in the building of a united Europe. “The next European elections – underlines Makaila – will have to consider the participation to the vote of the newcomers, in particular of those coming from other far horizons, as Africa and Asia, to prove that Europe does not keep out anyone because of racial or religious differences. If this comes true, Europe would experience an economic growth without parallel”.

Amir (the name is fictitious) is an Iranian journalist. Imprisoned three times, tortured, Amir left his country in 2012. In twenty days he crossed Turkey, Greece and Italy to finally reach France. He contributes at present to some broadcasting stations in Arabic under a concealed identity. “I didn’t choose to leave my country, and I didn’t choose France”, he tells. “When I arrived here I slept on the road, I couldn’t speak French, and it was very difficult. I had to fight against bureaucracy: I didn’t want to be helped, I only wanted to be respected”. His view on Europe has changed a lot since his arrival. “I can state that in Europe as well a sort of censorship exists – Admir admits – because when the truth on things is not completely said, as is the case of the condition of refugees in Europe, it is the same as censoring and counterfeiting reality”. Amir was received in MDJ and once obtained the status of refugee, he enrolled at University to begin a new life. “As a new European I wish Europe can highlight man’s rights and the nations where these do not exist, as Iran, because the view and consideration of Europe is very important for my country. But I realize that this wish is a bit idealist”.

Ils arrivent dans un pays qu’ils n’ont pas choisi, qu’ils ne connaissent pas et dont, souvent, ils ne parlent pas la langue. Ils arrivent de loin, de lieux dont les noms ne trouvent pas de place dans nos journaux. Des noms entendus mais que nous ne savons pas positionner sur une mappemonde  Des noms qui ne nous parlent pas, et pourtant qui crient chaque jour pour se faire entendre. Certaines voix rejoignent l’Europe après de longues odyssées, voyages qui n’ont rien d’épique à cause des blessures qui ont marqué le corps et le coeur de ces hommes et des ces femmes. L’Europe, jusqu’à ce moment là est, pour eux aussi, un nom qui paraît dans les journaux, locus amenus, le rempart de la démocratie et de la liberté, montre tout à coup sa réalité. Quelle Europe est celle rencontrée, connue, vécue par un réfugié?

D’après les dernières chiffres diffusées par Eurostat, en 2013 environ 435 mille demandeurs d’asile ont été enregistrés dans l’UE28. En 2012 il y en avait été 335 mile. Parmi eux, 65% des décisions de première instance prises à l’égard des demandeurs d’asile ont fait l’objet d’un rejet, tandis que 15% des demandeurs se sont vus octroyer le statut de réfugié. Il s’agit de quelque 50 mille personnes, nouveaux citoyens européennes. Quelle Europe est celle rencontrée, connue, vécue par un réfugié?

Makaila Nguebla, 42 ans, est un journaliste et activiste originaire du Tchad. Il vit loin de son Pays depuis plus de dix ans. Expulsé du Sénégal et de la Tunisie, réfugié en Guinée Conakry, Makaila est enfin arrivé en France en juillet 2013. Reconnu réfugié politique, aujourd’hui il vit à Paris où il continue à écrire et à dénoncer le régime de son Pays. Nous l’avons rencontré à la Maison des journalistes (MDJ) de Paris, un lieu unique au monde qui accueille des journalistes exilés. Depuis son ouverture en 2002, la MDJ a accueilli 273 journalistes de plus de 50 Pays du monde. Aujourd’hui Makaila est un citoyen européen sans l’avoir choisi. Une voix unique et pourtant pas isolée pour ouvrir des nouvelles perspectives à la construction d’une Europe unie. “Les prochaines élections européennes – remarque Makaila – doivent prendre compte la participation aux votes des nouveaux venus notamment les migrants venus d’autres horizons à savoir l’Afrique et l’Asie, pour montrer le caractère d’une Europe sans exclusion sur des considérations raciales ou confessionnelles de toutes les personnes qui y résident de manière durable. Si ce souhait se réalise, l’Europe connaîtra un essor économique sans égal”.

Amir, le nom est inventé, est un journaliste iranien. Emprisonné trois fois, torturé, Amir a quitté son Pays en 2012. En 20 jours, il a traversé la Turquie, la Grèce, l’Italie, pour rejoindre la France. Aujourd’hui il continue à collaborer, sous un faux nom, pour certaines chaines en langue arabe. “Je n’ai pas choisi de quitter mon Pays, je n’ai pas choisi la France – dit Amir –. Quand je suis arrivé ici j’ai dormi dans la rue, je ne parlais pas français, cela a été très difficile. J’ai du lutter avec la bureaucratie: je ne voulais pas être aidé, je voulais seulement être respecté”. Depuis son arrivé, son regard sur l’Europe a changé. “Je peux témoigner – avoue Amir – que même en Europe il existe une certaine censure. Quand la vérité des choses n’est pas dite dans son intégrité, comme il est dans le cas des conditions des réfugiés en Europe”. Amir, accueilli par la MDJ, obtenu son statut de réfugié, s’est inscrit à l’université pour commencer une nouvelle vie. “Ce que je souhaite pour l’Europe – confie-t-il – c’est qu’elle puisse mettre l’accent sur les droits de l’homme, surtout en ce qui concerne les Pays comme l’Iran où ces droits n’existent pas. Parce que le regard et la considération de l’Europe est très important pour mon Pays. Mais je me rends compte que ce désir est un peu idéaliste. Peut être”.