On the night after the brutal attacks in Paris that left over 137 dead, cartoonist Joann Sfar published a series of cartoons to respond to the massacres. Sfar works for Charlie Hebdo, the French satire magazine that was attacked by Islamic extremists this January.
Sfar published the series on Instagram just hours after the attack. Most of the cartoons feature a man looking directly at the reader. Through his cartoon character, Sfar delivers a powerful speech about Paris. He speaks about to the spirit of the city, and urges Parisians not to alter their way of life.
The text from the cartoons is collected below. All of the cartoons, with one exception, were written in French, but translated here:
France is an old country where lovers embrace freely.
Paris is our capital. We love music, drunkenness, joy.
2 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
For centuries lovers of death have tried to make us lose life’s flavor.
They never succeed.
4 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
Those who love. Those who love life. In the end, they’re always the ones who are rewarded.
The motto of Paris is beautiful.
6 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
‘It is beaten by the waves but does not sink.’
8 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
Terrorism is not the enemy. Terrorism is a mode of operation. Repeating ‘we are at war’ without finding the courage to name our enemies leads nowhere. Our enemies are those that love death. In various guises, they have always existed. History forgets quickly.
The people who died tonight were out living, drinking, singing. They didn’t know they had declared war.
10 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
Instead of dividing, we should remember what is precious: our way of life.
Lovers of death, if God exists, he hated you. And you have already lost, both on earth and in heaven.
12 A photo posted by Joann Sfar (@joannsfar) on
It means, ‘F*ck death.’
[The Independent] Featured image via Instagram
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