Commemoration of National Remembrance Day Marking the 81st Anniversary of the 8 May 1945 Massacres

The Consulate General of Algeria in London commemorated National Remembrance Day, marking the 81st anniversary of the 8 May 1945 massacres, by organizing a commemorative ceremony on the morning of 8 May 2026 at its premises, in tribute to the souls of the victims of these massacres, under the slogan: “A People Sacrificed... and Triumphed.”

The ceremony was attended by consular staff and officials, as well as a significant number of members of the Algerian community. It included the raising of the national flag, the playing of the national anthem, the recitation of Al-Fatiha, and a minute of silence in memory of the victims.

In his speech on the occasion, the Consul General highlighted the profound significance of the 8 May 1945 massacres, describing them as a pivotal milestone in the history of Algeria’s national struggle, given their deep significance and the sacrifices made by the Algerian people in their pursuit of freedom and independence.

He stressed that commemorating this occasion is part of preserving and honouring Algeria’s national memory, emphasizing the importance of passing it on to future generations, particularly among the Algerian community abroad, in order to strengthen their ties to their homeland and their authentic national identity.

He also highlighted the central role of the Algerian community in preserving this memory, stressing the importance of intensifying efforts to strengthen historical awareness through support for cultural and educational initiatives, encouraging the teaching of the Arabic language and national history, and making use of modern digital platforms to disseminate historical information through contemporary means.

In the same context, he underscored the need to strengthen community-based initiatives and partnerships with various stakeholders, thereby helping to keep national memory alive and dynamic and reaffirming the values of loyalty to the sacrifices of our honoured martyrs.

As part of the commemoration, an exhibition entitled “The Sacrifices and Resistance of the Algerian People Against the Crimes of French Colonialism (1830–1962) Through Archives” was organized. The exhibition featured photographs documenting the heinous crimes and massacres perpetrated by French colonialism against the Algerian people.