8.3.1 “Create a circle of former Villardians.”

—Stéphane Malbos. Polish Resistance fighters in the Vercors. 2011.
In 1958, in Krakow, around thirty alumni gathered to “create a circle of former Villardians that will bring together all the high school ‘s students living in Poland, and former teaching staff. The international delegate, Panek, will likely travel to France to contact former students living there, as well as in the UK and elsewhere, with a view to preparing, if possible, an international meeting in Villard itself.” This circle organised regular meetings.
In 1974, as the 30th anniversary of the fighting in the Vercors approached, encouraged by the mayor of Villard, André Ravix, former students and teachers from Poland and France came together in Villard to create the Union des anciens du Lycée Polonais Cyprian Norwid, à Villard-de-Lans, et de leur famille – Amicale Villardczycy (“Union of alumni of the Cyprian Norwid Polish High School, in Villard-de-Lans, and their families — Amicale Villardczycy”). Among them, their very active president:
Lucjan Owczarek[/bio].This association was primarily concerned with Polish memorials in the Vercors: names engraved on war memorials and in cemeteries, Polish graves in Villard and La Doua, in the suburbs of Lyon, etc. and played an active role in commemorative ceremonies. It strove to obtain recognition for the merits of teachers and friends still living in France: Wacław Godlewski, Philippe Blanc, Marcel Malbos, André Ravix. They received the Gold Cross of Polish Merit, one of Poland ‘s highest honours. A “Rue du Lycée Polonais” was inaugurated in Villard and a “Villardians Street” in Warsaw.
In the 1980s, humanitarian actions were organised by former students and teachers and by Villard town council to send food, medicine and various supplies to Poland.
At the turn of the century, Lucjan Owczarek died and was replaced by Henri Gielec. The alumni were ageing, their energy was waning and the association became primarily a rallying point. The annual general meeting is traditionally held in Villard-de-Lans. A powerful, joyful moment, when everyone meets again.
Today, the association is opening up to the outside world. With the gradual and inexorable disappearance of those directly involved in the saga of the high school, it amended its articles of association in 2010 to accept all those interested in the memory of this event, in promoting it and in making it available to the general public and to researchers through translations, publications, a website, exhibitions, events, etc.
The Mémoire du Lycée Polonais Cyprian Norwid – Villard-de-Lans 1940-1946 association is based in Villard-de-Lans. Its presidency has passed from former students to their children, first Stéphane Malbos and then Georges Nowak. Beyond the symbolism, it ensures that the flame is passed on, and that the memory is preserved.



