To commemorate the 80th anniversary of Paris Liberation, the director Mohamed El Khatib organized for the City of Paris a big celebration in front of Hôtel de Ville : while showcasing his new documentary on World War II survivors Mohamed El Khatib also invited music bands from all over Europe to celebrate Peace ! For the occasion, ABOUT A WORKER was invited to imagine a set design for the event. We decided to create 250 peace flags with 250 children hanging under Paris Sky !

WHAT IS “ LA LIBÉRATION DE PARIS ” ?

"La Libération de Paris", which happened on August 25th 1944, is a significant historical event that marked the end of the German occupation of Paris during World War II. This celebration became a symbol of hope and freedom for people across Europe who were suffering under Nazi occupation. It inspired resistance movements and gave them renewed courage to fight for their liberation.

WHO IS MOHAMED EL KHATIB

Author and director, Mohamed El Khatib confronts theater and arts with the unheard voices of today ( Soccer fans living from the North of France, Children from divorced parents, Homeless people, Eldery people, museum guards…). By collaborating with these contemporary communities, El Khatib leads multifaceted adventures, developing documentary fiction projects. After studying literature and sociology, El Khatib founded the Zirlib Production which considers contemporary creation as a gesture that is both sensitive and social.

the peace flags workshop

Two months before le Bal de la Liberation anniversary, ABOUT A WORKER invited 250 children coming from different parisian public school, to design anti-nationalist at Academie du Climat, the sustainable empire situated next to the Hôtel de Ville (Paris City Hall). Children has to use a set of shapes with many colorful parachute fabric deadstocks, sourced in France with our partner Feat.Coop !

Find below the different steps :

STEP 1 CHOOSE YOUR SHAPES

We precut different shapes found on conventional flagsn for the children to use as patterns. Each participant had to use 3 shapes maximum on their favoritep parachute fabric ! Once the kids had chosen their shapes, they traced them on their favorite colored fabrics ! Our team showed them how to use fabric scissors.

STEP 2 create your flag composition

The kids then set up their fabric shapes onto their flag, using masking tape ( easier and safer to use than pins for the young gang ! )

STEP 3 sewing the flags

Once the Kids, had finished their graphic compositions, the ABOUT A WORKER couture workers team helped them to finalize the flags by sewing them on site ! In 20 minutes, each flag was ready !