MEMOIRE OUVRIERE EN LIMOUSIN is an association dedicated to preserving, documenting, and sharing the history of working men and women in the Limousin region of France, particularly during the critical years between 1940 and 1968. Our work seeks to honor the lives, struggles, and achievements of ordinary people whose efforts shaped the social, economic, and political landscape of their time. We are committed to ensuring that their stories are remembered, studied, and valued for generations to come.
Our association recognizes that the history of the working class is not merely a collection of dates, events, and statistics; it is a narrative of human courage, resilience, and solidarity. The men and women of Limousin who labored in factories, fields, and workshops, who organized and participated in labor movements, and who fought for justice and dignity, left a profound legacy. Through our work, we aim to illuminate these lives and provide a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs that have shaped modern society.
Our Mission
The mission of MEMOIRE OUVRIERE EN LIMOUSIN is to safeguard the memory of the working-class movement in our region and to transmit this knowledge to the public, researchers, and future generations. We contribute biographical entries to the Dictionnaire Maitron, a respected historical reference documenting the lives of workers, unionists, and activists throughout France. By doing so, we ensure that individuals who may have been forgotten or overlooked are given recognition and that their contributions are recorded with accuracy and respect.
Beyond documenting history, our mission is also educational. We strive to create awareness about the social, cultural, and economic conditions of the working class during this pivotal period. By providing context and personal stories, we aim to foster a sense of connection to the past, helping individuals understand the roots of contemporary social issues and the ongoing importance of solidarity, justice, and civic engagement.
Our Vision
We envision a world in which the history of ordinary people is valued as much as the history of elites and institutions. Our goal is to make the stories of workers in Limousin accessible, engaging, and relevant to today’s society. We believe that understanding the struggles and achievements of past generations strengthens our ability to address contemporary social challenges and inspires citizens to act with awareness, empathy, and responsibility.
Our vision extends beyond preservation; it includes active engagement. We aim to create a living archive where historical knowledge is not static but shared, discussed, and celebrated. By connecting the past to the present, we hope to encourage reflection on the importance of equality, dignity, and collective action, principles that defined the labor movement and remain essential today.
Our History
MEMOIRE OUVRIERE EN LIMOUSIN was founded by a group of historians, researchers, and volunteers who recognized a gap in the preservation of working-class history in Limousin. While official records and mainstream historical accounts often focus on political events or prominent figures, the experiences of ordinary workers were at risk of being lost. Our association emerged from a shared commitment to ensuring that these voices would not disappear.
Since our founding, we have dedicated ourselves to rigorous research, careful documentation, and public engagement. We collaborate with local archives, libraries, educational institutions, and other organizations to gather information, verify facts, and provide meaningful historical narratives. Each biography we produce, each document we preserve, and each project we undertake reflects our dedication to accuracy, respect, and historical integrity.