Sommaire > Reportages sur nos ainés > Syrie, Nora, L'importance de la mémoire |
Syrie, Nora, L'importance de la mémoire par alexis le 20.10.2007. |
Scroll down to read the English version Aujourd'hui, Nora vit avec la famille de l'un de ses fils, Georges, dans une belle maison du vieux Damas. Comme la majorité des personnes âgées syriennes, elle ne perçoit pas de retraite ni d'aide de l'Etat. C'est sa famille qui l'entoure et s'occupe d'elle, une prise en charge qu'elle reconnaît et apprécie. Sa santé ne lui permet pas de se déplacer en dehors de chez elle mais elle est contente de continuer a bien voir et surtout d'avoir, pour son age, conserve une excellente mémoire. C'est très important pour elle de se souvenir de son histoire dont elle raconte souvent des anecdotes a ses petits-enfants. Pourtant, lorsqu'on lui demande ce qu'elle a envi de transmettre aux nouvelles générations, Nora a l'impression de ne rien pouvoir leur apporter a cote des longues études qui leur sont maintenant accessibles, des livres et de toutes les structures culturelles qui existent. Son petit-fils ne partage pas son avis. Il sait qu'il a beaucoup a apprendre de sa grand-mère : "l'expérience de toute une vie, la sagesse". Un apprentissage d'une valeur inestimable qu'elle transmet inconsciemment. English version Nora, Syria The importance of memory to share history Nora isn't sure about her precise age. She has between 85 and 88. She was born in the South West of Syria (Houran district) and spent most of her life in Lebanon. As a matter of fact, she moved to Beyrouth after her wedding. Her two sisters remained in Syria, but her 3 brothers migrated also, thousands of kilometers further away, to Brazil. In Beyrouth, Nora worked as a cook for a French family she had known before and who had settled in Lebanon. She has an excellent recollection of this period, even if some moments were difficult, in particular in 1956-1958, a time of political unrest. After serving this family during 25 years, she followed her husband who settled in Syria again in 1972 (Beginning of the war in Lebanon). A trying return home after so many years in Lebanon where they had enjoyed better conditions of living than those lying before them. She didn't take up any professional activity, and went on bringing up her 7 children in Damascus. Today, Nora lives in the family of one of her sons, George, in a beautiful house in the old Damascus. Like most old persons in Syria, she does not receive any retirement pension or any support from the government. Her family looks after her and takes care of her, she acknowledges and appreciates their assuming such responsibility.. Her health condition does not allow her to move outside her house, but she is happy she still enjoys good eyesight and above all, keeps a vivid memory of her past, which is exceptional at her age. It is very important for her to remember her past, and she would often tell anecdotes to her grandchildren. Yet, when she is asked what she would like to pass on to the new generation, Nora fears she can't bring them anything compared to the long studies that are now available to them, as well as all existing books or cultural activities. Her grand son doesn’t share her point of view. He knows that he has a lot to learn from her grandmother: « the experience of a whole life time, wisdom. Only life can teach such priceless knowledge, that she unconsciously conveys to others. |
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