A handwritten program for a performance held in a French prisoner-of-war camp - July 1940

“Grand Concert” – a handwritten program for a performance held in a French prisoner-of-war camp. July 7, 1940. Marne River region, France. A few weeks after the Nazi occupation of France. Posted in the camp itself for the information of the prisoners.

In the program, a performance is scheduled by amateur artists from within the “circus” camp – prisoners of war. The program of the event includes: songs (“chanson”), Christmas songs (“chanson de Noël”), comic/dramatic pieces, musical performances (including a reference to Franz Schubert – “La sérénade de Schubert”), a Norman choir: “Ma Normandie, ” a performance by an individual named Mohamed Bey Jouil with his ensemble. Also appearing will be a northern choir (“Mon p’tit Quinquin”), monologues, an excerpt from “Werther” (apparently the opera by Jules Massenet), a magician (“Prestidigitateur”), dances and songs (“La Java bleue, ” “La Valse de Josely”), and additional popular songs. During the intermission, a collection will be held by veterans of World War I (1914–1918) for the benefit of needy prisoners. On the right side, in handwriting, appears a personal dedication: “Souvenir à Marcel Picard” – a memento to Marcel Picard. The evening will be accompanied by prizes.

It is dated July 7, 1940, just weeks after the French surrender in June 1940. During this period, Germany had already taken control of most of France and began concentrating French prisoners of war in camps established or administered under German supervision. In the early stages, these were improvised transit camps, prior to the full organization of the German camp system. At this stage, the existence of cultural performances, choirs, and collections is fully consistent with what is known about Western POW camps at the beginning of the war, where - unlike concentration camps - a certain degree of cultural activity was maintained.

[1] leaf. Light folding marks. Very good condition.