At 91, Hugues Aufra is in great shape there and hopes that we will be deconfined in early December to return to the stage for the reissue of his album “Self-portrait”.
After the assassination of the history professor Samuel Paty, on October 16 in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, his song “Adieu Monsieur le Professeur” had a particular resonance.
This Monday, the children return to their schools where a tribute to Samuel Paty will take place.
How did you react when you heard "Farewell Monsieur le Professeur" returned to Place de la République after his assassination.
HUGUES AUFRAY.
This obviously moved me a lot, because we are all touched by this tragedy.
Especially since I have always considered "Goodbye, Professor" as a love song for all teachers.
It has become, in spite of itself, a hymn to teachers.
A tribute, a recognition for the services rendered to all those who retire.
It's a song to thank these women and men who gave their lives to educate children.
What is his story ?
I was at an end of year party with my daughter Charlotte.
It was in 1967, she was six years old and it was her last year at kindergarten rue La-Fontaine in Paris.
A professor gave a short speech on a podium for his retirement.
I remember that this man who was saying goodbye to his students left with general indifference and that upset me.
The following year I wrote "Goodbye, Professor".
How was she received?
It was 1968 and we quickly stuck a bourgeois and reactionary song label on it.
My friend Renaud told me that it was the only song in my repertoire that he didn't like too much.
The main thing is that it was immediately appreciated by the teachers and sung for their retirement.
For 52 years, I have performed at all my concerts.
And I always preceded it with a little speech to remind us that teachers are not there to educate our children, but to instruct them.
"To name things badly is to contribute to the misfortune of the world" as Camus said.
What should be done ?
Teachers must be given back their letters of nobility!
They must be unloaded, because they are not educators.
It's another job!
The policies must change the name of the Ministry of National Education.
It would be more correct to use the term Ministry of Public Instruction as the Revolution had chosen.
As Camus would still say, it is important to name things well.
I have been telling all the Presidents of the Republic for 50 years.
And I have met them all, from Mitterrand to Macron via Chirac or Sarkozy.
I also spoke to the Ministers of National Education and I intend to convey the message to Jean-Michel Blanquer!
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What memories do you keep of your schooling?
I loved school.
However, I had to wait twelve years to go there, because I was left-handed and dyslexic.
I was not a very good student, but I have fond memories of my college years in Sorèze in the Tarn where we settled during the war.
I then went to the French high school in Madrid in Spain and there again it was strong moments with my teachers.
Did a teacher particularly impress you?
No, because I hate to choose.
I had several teachers who marked me and for whom I had a lot of affection.
Professors who supported me, because maybe I was not easy.
I wasn't rowdy, but I was upside down.